God’s grace (unmerited favor) and His 2 covenants

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Oct 10, 2015
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#1
The progression of God’s grace
• grace that ANY human (with his inherited sinful nature) could get to spend eternity with a totally Holy God
• grace was offered in His old covenant to His chosen people, the small and weak Israelite nation
• grace was offered to the human race in His new and better covenant
• by grace He gave a new nature to certain ones, which enabled them to be overcomers
• by grace He gave the indwelling Holy Spirit to these ones, who would also help them to be overcomers
• by grace He gave the baptism with the Holy Spirit to some of those who had the indwelling Holy Spirit

God’s old covenant
It was God’s plan to prove to everyone that man (on his own) cannot possibly satisfy
the demands of a totally Holy God, not even with the help of God’s prophets.
This plan was accomplished through the Israelites, who failed miserably to follow God’s Law.
Salvation was conditional upon them co-operating (exercising their free will) to God’s satisfaction,
and following God’s Law, and their failure disqualified them.
At one point, God left them scattered all over the desert floor.
They violated the blood covenant that they had with their God.

God’s new covenant
It was God’s plan that His Messiah die a substitutionary death for the sins of the human race.
(It is debatable whether or not God chose some, and not others, to be part of the new covenant.)
Either way, it was only for those who would co-operate with the Holy Spirit who was inside of them.
These ones were given a new nature, which made it possible for them to choose to overcome sin.
All of the instructions for how to succeed were written in the New Testament.
Salvation was conditional upon them exercising their free will to God’s satisfaction,
and following God’s indwelling Spirit: those who were led by God’s Spirit were the elect sons of God.
The elect of God were those who would not violate the blood covenant that they had with their God.
 
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Gr8grace

Guest
#2
Are you John Zain from the United States?
 
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FreeNChrist

Guest
#4
The progression of God’s grace
Any explanation of grace apart from Jesus is no explanation at all.

"Grace is realized through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17); the "grace of God was given to us in Christ Jesus" (1 Cor. 1:4); "The grace of God has appeared, in Jesus Christ, bringing salvation to all men" (Titus 2:11). We have an identity as Christians, participating in the resurrection life of Jesus, only by the grace of God (1 Cor. 15:10).


 
Oct 10, 2015
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#5
So, the grace-boys don't like what is presented in the OP.
Must be too threatening to their most holy and sacred ...
"grace only", "cheap grace", "greasy grace" gospel.

I would hazard a guess and say that ...
ALL truly Spirit-filled believers know they are wrong!
 
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FreeNChrist

Guest
#6
So, the grace-boys don't like what is presented in the OP.
Must be too threatening to their most holy and sacred ...
"grace only", "cheap grace", "greasy grace" gospel.

I would hazard a guess and say that ...
ALL truly Spirit-filled believers know they are wrong!

You reject the grace of God that saves you in favor of placing your hope in yourself. If anyone should feel threatened, it is you.
 
A

Abing

Guest
#7
So, the grace-boys don't like what is presented in the OP.
Must be too threatening to their most holy and sacred ...
"grace only", "cheap grace", "greasy grace" gospel.

I would hazard a guess and say that ...
ALL truly Spirit-filled believers know they are wrong!
I used to bash OSAS too Zach. I was there. I would agree with you, if it wasn't for God's saving grace that changed my heart :).

We lift ZacharyB in prayer. That his heart not be hardened anymore and that his eyes be opened.
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#8
So, the grace-boys don't like what is presented in the OP.
Must be too threatening to their most holy and sacred ...
"grace only", "cheap grace", "greasy grace" gospel.

I would hazard a guess and say that ...
ALL truly Spirit-filled believers know they are wrong!
ahem..

Grace is unmerited favor. It is free..

Call it greasy, call it cheap (it was paid for by the blood of Christ so not very cheap at all) call it whatever you want.

But do not ever call it something whihc has to be earned by our own doing. Otherwise, Your making it works, not grace.

 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#9
You reject the grace of God that saves you in favor of placing your hope in yourself. If anyone should feel threatened, it is you.
why do they think we are so threatened? I do not get this attack. If we are secure in Christ NO ONE CAN THREATEN US, and we HAVE NOTHING TO BE AFRAID OF..

Like you said, It is they who need to be afraid, they may not do enough to earn their "grace" which is not "grace"
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#10
I used to bash OSAS too Zach. I was there. I would agree with you, if it wasn't for God's saving grace that changed my heart :).

We lift ZacharyB in prayer. That his heart not be hardened anymore and that his eyes be opened.
Amen sis.. Lets pray they find the freedom and joy we have found..
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
55,247
25,717
113
#11
I was under the impression that there were a number of covenants in the older testaments...
 
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eternally-gratefull

Guest
#12
I was under the impression that there were a number of covenants in the older testaments...
which ones do you want to know about?

Abrahamic
Noadic?
Davidic
Mosaic?
Adamic?

I am sure there are more than these, but these are the main ones.


 

BenFTW

Senior Member
Oct 7, 2012
4,834
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#13

• by grace He gave a new nature to certain ones, which enabled them to be overcomers
• by grace He gave the indwelling Holy Spirit to these ones, who would also help them to be overcomers
Enabled them to be over-comers? That word "enabled", subtly seems to imply work on our part. As if our salvation is dependent upon our overcoming of something and this overcoming is a result of an enabling to righteous living. There is some truth to this, that we have victory over sin, but careful in implying that we have been enabled to save ourselves (such as the power to walk out the Law by grace). We simply are saved because of Jesus Christ, He paid for our sins and has given us life. He has imputed His righteousness to us. We are justified in Him.

We can see what the Word says about being an over-comer. Who is an over-comer?

1 John 5:4-12New American Standard Bible (NASB)

4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son. 10 The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. 11 And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.
 

notuptome

Senior Member
May 17, 2013
15,050
2,538
113
#14
I was under the impression that there were a number of covenants in the older testaments...
In the general context of this discussion covenants and testaments are the same.

Grace has not changed. God has always saved by grace through faith. David said blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute iniquity.

Ps 32:2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

Ro 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

For the cause of Christ
Roger
 
Oct 10, 2015
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#15
You're making it works, not grace.
This is directed at others, not at you ...

I'm making it both ... because it is both.
How many times will you reject the verses about ...
the necessity of practicing righteousness and working righteousness?
And MANY DOZENS more verses about what is required of you
beyond simply accepting God's grace.
 
Oct 10, 2015
544
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#16
God has always saved by grace through faith. David said blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute iniquity.
TOTALLY WRONG ...
God has always required His people to be obedient, follow His commandments, etc.
I'd be happy to send you a Bible.
How can there be so many deceived people in one forum?
 
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Oct 10, 2015
544
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#17
Enabled them to be over-comers?
That word "enabled", subtly seems to imply work on our part.
I am NOT subtle in the least ... neither is Jesus! ... not in the least ...

Here is what it means to be an overcomer ...

"To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne,
as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." (Revelation 3:21)

Just so you get the picture ...
Jesus did not overcome by believing He was the Son of God.

Did the light go on yet, or is the bulb burned out?
 
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Feb 21, 2012
3,794
199
63
#18
This is directed at others, not at you ...

I'm making it both ... because it is both.
How many times will you reject the verses about ...
the necessity of practicing righteousness and working righteousness?
And MANY DOZENS more verses about what is required of you
beyond simply accepting God's grace.
There is salvation . . . a gift given by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
There is a walk that should accompany that righteousness we have been given . . . that "perfect" walk is a long time in coming . . . Each day is a new day in our walk . . . some things are easily put off, some things not . . . One day at a time, sweet Jesus . . . But my salvation is not dependent upon my walk . . . :)
 

slave

Senior Member
Mar 20, 2015
6,307
1,097
113
#19
The progression of God’s grace
• grace that ANY human (with his inherited sinful nature) could get to spend eternity with a totally Holy God
• grace was offered in His old covenant to His chosen people, the small and weak Israelite nation
• grace was offered to the human race in His new and better covenant
• by grace He gave a new nature to certain ones, which enabled them to be overcomers
• by grace He gave the indwelling Holy Spirit to these ones, who would also help them to be overcomers
• by grace He gave the baptism with the Holy Spirit to some of those who had the indwelling Holy Spirit

God’s old covenant
It was God’s plan to prove to everyone that man (on his own) cannot possibly satisfy
the demands of a totally Holy God, not even with the help of God’s prophets.
This plan was accomplished through the Israelites, who failed miserably to follow God’s Law.
Salvation was conditional upon them co-operating (exercising their free will) to God’s satisfaction,
and following God’s Law, and their failure disqualified them.
At one point, God left them scattered all over the desert floor.
They violated the blood covenant that they had with their God.

God’s new covenant
It was God’s plan that His Messiah die a substitutionary death for the sins of the human race.
(It is debatable whether or not God chose some, and not others, to be part of the new covenant.)
Either way, it was only for those who would co-operate with the Holy Spirit who was inside of them. < you are putting the cart before the horse here in the area of grace and works.It's grace first ,natural response later.
These ones were given a new nature, which made it possible for them to choose to overcome sin.

All of the instructions for how to succeed were written in the New Testament.----------------------------------> namely one: Jesus Christ.
Salvation was conditional upon them exercising their free will to God’s satisfaction,-------------------------> again impossible without that one: Jesus Christ.
and following God’s indwelling Spirit: those who were led by God’s Spirit were the elect sons of God.---------> so we got ourselves there by following stuff and now we are elect ? How is this not saved by works?
The elect of God were those who would not violate the blood covenant that they had with their God. when did the blood have anything to do with what you said made you elect except by way of osmosis? where's the receiving part of Christ?



The New Testament makes a clear distinction between the covenants of the Mosaic Law and the covenant of promise. Paul spoke of these "Two Covenants," one originating "From Mount Sinai" the other from "The Jerusalem above." Gal. 4:24-26. Paul also argued that the covenant established at Mount Sinai was a "Ministry of Death." and "Condemnation." 2 Cor. 3:7-9.

There are 5 covenants in the old Testament from Noah, Abraham, David, the Mosaic and Christ's, but unlike the Mosaic covenant, the New Covenant of Jesus Christ is indeed for all mankind--regardless of race. In the great Commission Jesus sent His Apostles into the entire world so they could tell the story of the Cross. The gospel call extends to every man and woman today! Read Hebrews chapter 8 to see how the New grace of conquered sin makes the Old Covenant obsolete, and fulfills the promise of the prophet Jeremiah.

But New or Old in way of active covenants it is still a covenant. an agreement between two parties an oath to receive and to act upon the merits of the contract.In the case of the New Covenant now, to respond in kind to the free gift of God, all peoples ,all nations, all of the worlds human inhabitants!
 
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Oct 10, 2015
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#20
But my salvation is not dependent upon my walk
Then, why so many dozens of dire warnings, some of which blatantly threaten loss of salvation?
I'll tell you why ... because we must co-operate with the precious Holy Spirit within us.
Please refer to the thread about warnings to the churches.