Growing in Grace

​A few weeks ago I wrote a blog titled, “Done, Done, Done”, and in it there was some good teaching on Grace. We must learn what Grace truly is, and what God wants us to do with it. Why? Because if we don’t learn about Grace properly, then we will abuse grace or never use it properly.
Many Christians, world-wide, are consumed with the wrath and judgment of God. They don’t just ignore it, but they attack the idea of Grace. I have read countless articles where pastors and theologians clearly misunderstand Grace, where they inaccurately assume that Grace is something it isn’t and they attack people like us for being too focused on Grace. I get it. I used to be like them. I used to be a Pharisee, where I was so focused on traditions and doctrines of men that I couldn’t see God working in people, and I used to be focused on identifying false prophets. But I rejoice in the fact that God’s Grace is unconditional, in that no matter what and how many sins I commit, His grace covers every single one. Over the years He has taught me a lot about those errors I had. I’m not consumed with false prophets anymore; because I learned that anyone who perverts the Grace of God is a false prophet (Jude 1:4)… most of the people who are consumed with judgment and wrath are actually false prophets according to scripture. Jude says that Grace is transformed into something it isn’t by ungodly people. When we get confused about the character of God, we start to give Him our characteristics, and in turn try to paint Him in our image. When this happens, we focus on things we aren’t supposed to, which in turn causes us to turn to things that aren’t of God, or aren’t what we are called to do.
For example: forgiveness vs judgment. Matthew 6:14, Mark 11:25, Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13 and many others all tell us to forgive and to not judge people for their sins. Colossians 4:6, Romans 5:21, 2 Corinthians 4:15, and Proverbs 22:11 and many others tell us to pour out grace to people no matter what they are doing. Jesus was documented by Matthew, Mark, and Luke as teaching that we are not to judge, but instead we should focus on Grace.
And then there’s Matthew 18. Many times, I find that people want to use Matthew 18:15-20 as excuse to treat others poorly, or even to kick them out of church. They use this passage to validate their behavior. But keep reading, don’t stop at verse 20. Verse 21-22 is a very well-known passage, but seldom linked to the passage about “how to deal with a brother who sins against you.” This is the place where Jesus told Peter he must forgive someone 70 times 7 times for every single offense, every day. So should we have a reason to kick someone out of our group or church? Not if we are forgiving them 70 times 7… I would encourage you to read the whole chapter. Read verse 35 with me now:
Matthew 18:35-“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
I would like to ask you to please spend some extra time today and re-read the blog dated from 9/9 titled, “Done, Done, Done.”, because it really addresses God’s Grace. Don’t get caught up in wrath and judgment. Romans 5:16 begins with the subject of judgment, but quickly shifts to Grace. Grace has the final word! Focusing on wrath and judgment, when we have been called to give Grace in abundance, is a terrible sin. So let us focus on Grace, not abusing it or misusing it. Let us no longer battle with the lie that wrath and judgment ever advance the Kingdom of God. All they have every done is reset the Kindgom…
We need to grow in Grace. This can only be done by practicing giving Grace, by blessing those who don’t know the Truth and are not free from it. Let us learn to Stand on the Grace of God, to partner with His Grace, and to give out His Grace freely to all we see, because we all need His grace. After all, His Grace covers a multitude of sins. Bless you.

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