“It is all grace that we have been saved. And it is all grace that God has kept us. He has allowed us to go through many transitions. No one can even remotely comprehend the grace that God has provided for life.” Carl H. Stevens
Some people are “backed to the wall because they resist receiving something they do not deserve.”
The word of God says, “beware, lest we be led away by the error of the wicked. We must, grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2Peter 3:18)
” The believer is saved by grace and begins his new life with God at the mercy seat. Understanding this , divine goodness and mercy follow him all the days of his life.” Psalm 23
God the Father has been satisfied:
- Through the blood of Christ in expiation .
- As Propitiation began.
- As far as our sins are concerned.
- Through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.
” we are dead and our life his hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3
“God is free to function with every situation that develops in our lives through an authority of grace that does not violate his character, his righteousness, or His Holiness.”
Quotes are from ” the biblical authority of grace”. A booklet written by Carl H Stevens, DD, LLD.
"If God required a believer to prove himself by his works before he was considered to be spiritual, then grace would be limited to a condition."
Brothers and sisters, we cannot put conditions on grace such as baptismal regeneration teaching, evidences of grace such as speaking in tongues, or other kinds of gifting. Some believe certain works must follow as a condition of salvation. But Romans 11:6 teaches that grace and works do not and cannot mix.
Friends, if grace is met with conditions, then so will love be met with conditions. And love hides a multitude of sins of others. If we cannot receive something for nothing, we probably cannot give something for nothing. Love must cover a multitude of sins.
James 5:20 “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
1Peter 4:8 “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”
“No more misleading message can be given by sincere men , then when the unsaved are told that they are lost because of their personal sins.” “Man is lost by nature, born a lost soul , with no hope apart from the redeeming blood of Christ.” L.S. Chafer
In redemption:
” For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: “2Corinthians 5:14
“Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh.”
And, ” all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself,
not imputing their trespasses unto them;
and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 2Corinthians 5:19
Believers, Abraham sinned with Hagar and produced Ishmael. Nevertheless, God’s plan and promise to Abraham was not nullified. Isaac was born. Lot made many wrong choices including incest with his daughters after the destruction of his home cities. 2Peter 2:7 calls him “the just one.” Jacob, and David have their own stories of God continuing to bless them in spite of their obstinacy, sins, and pride. Moses struck the rock in disobedience but God still brought the water to the children in the desert.
Even evil minded Saul, and Jonathan:
“were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. “2 Samuel 1
Lastly, and quoting again Dr. Stevens, ” even though you feel powerless ,without energy in your soul, his grace is adequate. God does not ask us to have strength. He does not demand performance. He does not tell us to perform certain works. He’s teaching us to learn how grace functions perfectly in our weakness. Grace enters into the flow of our heart. Grace reveals the character of motivating life and the power of the word of God in action within the mentality of our soul. God is speaking to our heart saying I will give you a grace which is of me — I have been satisfied by the payment for your sins by my precious Son.”
