The TRUE grace of God isn't what most people think!

[QuickenedByHim]

If you think God's grace is nothing more than His merciful forgiveness, then you are greatly mistaken and you need to read this. God's grace is the quickening power of the Spirit within us that teaches us to deny ungodliness and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. It's because of His power working within us that we are able to do what we're commanded and 'Be ye holy; for I am holy'. It's because of Jesus Christ's power working within us that enables us to 'Be ye perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect.' THAT is what the grace of God that brings salvation truly is. DONT confuse mercy with grace.

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. -Titus 2:11-12

As an ambassador for Christ, I pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God! (2 Corinthians 5:20)

Do you profess to know God but in works deny Him? (Titus 1:16)... If this is the case and you don't deny ungodliness in your life, therefore denying Him in your works, and try to justify living in such an unholy way in your mind by believing that "because of God's grace that you're not going to hell for living life the way you are," then you are an ungodly man who has turned the grace of our God into lasciviousness just as Jude urgently warned God's people over 1900 years ago in the beginning of his epistle:

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints.
For there are certain men CREPT IN unawares, who were before of old ordained to ths condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ." -Jude v3-4

THEY HAD CREPT IN WITHOUT BEING NOTICED WAY BACK THEN AND THEY ARE THE MAJORITY TODAY.

 

[Skinski7]

Good post.

[video=youtube;t9wUUDBKglM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9wUUDBKglM[/video]

 

[mailmandan]

Grace is the unmerited favor of God in which He shows us mercy, kindness, and patience instead of the judgment that we deserve for sinning against Him. God's grace cannot be earned by our actions or sincerity. Grace is based on the character of God and not on our sincerity, performance, or ability to keep the law. Otherwise, grace would not be grace.

Romans 11:6 - "But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace."

Galatians 2:21 - "I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."

2 Timothy 1:9 - "who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity."

God's grace is His enabling power in which He operates sovereignly in the lives of believers.

1 Corinthians 15:10 - But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

2 Corinthians 1:12 - For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.

2 Corinthians 12:9 - And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

 

[QuickenedByHim]

Grace is the unmerited favor of God in which He shows us mercy, kindness, and patience instead of the judgment that we deserve for sinning against Him. God's grace cannot be earned by our actions or sincerity. Grace is based on the character of God and not on our sincerity, performance, or ability to keep the law. Otherwise, grace would not be grace.

Romans 11:6 - "But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace."

Galatians 2:21 - "I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."

2 Timothy 1:9 - "who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity."

God's grace is His enabling power in which He operates sovereignly in the lives of believers.

1 Corinthians 15:10 - But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

2 Corinthians 1:12 - For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.

2 Corinthians 12:9 - And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Quote the scripture that defines grace as 'unmerited favor', I'll wait.

It's not my works, but the quickening power of God's grace that causes me to live godly, not my works, but His!

Just like Paul said "It's no longer I who live but Christ who lives through me"

Also just like the prophecy in Ezekiel 36:27, He said "I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT WITHIN YOU AND CAUSE YOU TO WALK IN MY STATUTES, AND YE SHALL KEEP MY JUDGEMENTS AND DO THEM"

God's grace causes us to live godly, and be perfect and holy. The Holy Spirit is given to those that obey Him, it's not my works, I've ceased from my works, now Christ lives through me.

"And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Ghost, whom God has given to them that obey Him." -Acts 5:32

 

[Grace777x70]

Personally I believe that preaching the grace of God in the gospel of Christ without the other transformation part that grace brings is not right and perhaps there are some that do that - but I have not seen it.

I have seen others "accuse" them of saying it because they only hear the first part of grace being put forth which is the acceptance grace but didn't stay for the other transformational part - which is the empowering grace that brings true transformation of the life of Christ being manifested in and through us. Thus they attack the "acceptance" part of the gospel of the grace of God in Christ and call it "easy believe-ism".

 

[Grace777x70]

There are 2 aspects to grace and it can be seen in Jesus dealings with a woman caught in adultery.

The very first thing that Jesus does with the woman caught in adultery is that He gets rid of her accusers - the religious Pharisees that wanted to condemn her because the "bible" said so in the Old Covenant...she was to be stoned. ( the law condemns us )

Jesus was the only one qualified to condemn her but He didn't.


1) acceptance grace - which has nothing to do with our behavior - as seen with the woman caught in adultery. Our Lord beautifully says " I do not condemn you".

It is in knowing you are not condemned that releases the other aspect of grace.

2) now, go and sin no more - this is empowering grace.

Empowering grace enables you to be who the Father sees you are in Christ now because you are a new creation in Him.


The religious mindset says to the woman caught in adultery - 'Do not sin and we will not condemn you."

The grace of God and the blood of Jesus speaks of better things in this New Covenant of grace!

"Knowing" that we are not condemned in Christ "releases" the life of the empowering grace to transform us. It's all about Christ! It's His fruit being manifested in us!

Acceptance grace which is not based on our behavior needs to be cemented in our hearts before empowering grace is able to be manifested.


What believers in a self-effort/self-performance D.I.Y. holiness/righteousness based mindset and the self-appointed "fruit inspectors" have a very hard time with is the "acceptance grace" part.

This just drives them nuts and I understand why because it is scandalous and it "conflicts" with our religious man-made traditions and some church teachings from our denomination or "group".

 

[mailmandan]

Quote the scripture that defines grace as 'unmerited favor', I'll wait.

You can't figure that out from Romans 11:6; Galatians 2:21; 2 Timothy 1:9? Quote the scripture that defines grace as 'merited favor.' I'll wait. 'An accurate, common definition describes grace as the unmerited favor of God toward man.' - Grace Definition and Meaning - Bible Dictionary

It's not my works, but the quickening power of God's grace that causes me to live godly, not my works, but His!

And that's not merited favor, but unmerited favor. Ephesians 2:8 (AMPC) - For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God.

Just like Paul said "It's no longer I who live but Christ who lives through me"

Also just like the prophecy in Ezekiel 36:27, He said "I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT WITHIN YOU AND CAUSE YOU TO WALK IN MY STATUTES, AND YE SHALL KEEP MY JUDGEMENTS AND DO THEM" God's grace causes us to live godly, and be perfect and holy.

As I already explained: God's grace is His enabling power in which He operates sovereignly in the lives of believers.

The Holy Spirit is given to those that obey Him, it's not my works, I've ceased from my works, now Christ lives through me.

"And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Ghost, whom God has given to them that obey Him." -Acts 5:32

We receive the Holy Spirit when we obey Him by choosing to believe the gospel (Romans 1:16; Acts 11:17; Ephesians 1:13). Notice closely in Romans 10:16 - But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our report? Unbelievers do not obey Him no matter how much so called obedience that they attempt to conjure up through the flesh in a vain effort to receive salvation by works.

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

Quote the scripture that defines grace as 'unmerited favor', I'll wait.

It's not my works, but the quickening power of God's grace that causes me to live godly, not my works, but His!

Just like Paul said "It's no longer I who live but Christ who lives through me"

Also just like the prophecy in Ezekiel 36:27, He said "I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT WITHIN YOU AND CAUSE YOU TO WALK IN MY STATUTES, AND YE SHALL KEEP MY JUDGEMENTS AND DO THEM"

God's grace causes us to live godly, and be perfect and holy. The Holy Spirit is given to those that obey Him, it's not my works, I've ceased from my works, now Christ lives through me.

"And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Ghost, whom God has given to them that obey Him." -Acts 5:32

I'm not understanding why defining grace as unearned and undeserved favor and kindness is a problem...
Good morning, by the way!

 

[QuickenedByHim]

.

Quote the scripture that defines grace as 'merited favor.' I'll wait.

There arent any 'works' that a man can individually accompilsh to save themselves, I understand that completely. That does NOT all of a sudden define grace as 'unmerited favor like you're trying to do. Your definition of grace matches exactly the type of twisted grace Jude warns us about, plain as day.

The full and TRUE definition of grace is given in to us very clearly in Titus 2:11-15. You need to quit hardening your heart and read the words that are right in front of you; its the full definition that God has been waiting for you to see and understand:

"11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation has appeared to all men, 12teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

 

[Willie-T]

I'm not understanding why defining grace as unearned and undeserved favor and kindness is a problem...
Good morning, by the way!

It is for anyone who needs to feel they somehow earned it by their own efforts in keeping certain requirements.

This is seen in the parable of the workers hired at different times. It infuriated the early hires to have to accept that others didn't earn things the way they did.

 

[gb9]

.

There arent any 'works' that a man can individually accompilsh to save themselves, I understand that completely. That does NOT all of a sudden define grace as 'unmerited favor'like youre trying to do. Your definition of grace matches exactly the type of twisted grace Jude warns us about, plain as day.

The full and TRUE definition of grace is given in to us very clearly in Titus 2:11-15. You need to quit hardening your heart and read the words that are right in front of you; its the full definition that God has been waiting for you to see and understand:

"11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation has appeared to all men, 12teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

I see we have yet another sinless perfectionist / worker for grace that can't accept truth, they have to change it.

 

[mailmandan]

.

There arent any 'works' that a man can individually accompilsh to save themselves, I understand that completely. That does NOT all of a sudden define grace as 'unmerited favor'like youre trying to do. Your definition of grace matches exactly the type of twisted grace Jude warns us about, plain as day.

The full and TRUE definition of grace is given in to us very clearly in Titus 2:11-15. You need to quit hardening your heart and read the words that are right in front of you; its the full definition that God has been waiting for you to see and understand:

"11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation has appeared to all men, 12teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

What type of twisted grace am I advocating that Jude warns about? That is a straw man argument. Just because grace is 'unmerited' does not mean that we simply define grace solely as unmerited, then add a license to sin to it. That is not what I'm advocating at all.

As I went on to explain in my original post, God's grace is His enabling power in which He operates sovereignly in the lives of believers. The grace of God that brings salvation has "appeared to all men." (That does not mean that all men will accept God's grace through faith).

God's grace is unmerited and it brings salvation through faith and the "grace of God" also teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. Zealous of good works does not mean saved by good works. We are saved FOR good works (Ephesians 2:10). My heart is not hard and there is nothing here in Titus 2:11-15 that is waiting for me to see and understand. I see and understand it already.

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

I see we have yet another sinless perfectionist / worker for grace that can't accept truth, they have to change it.

I wouldn't put that label on him just by what he's said in here. The renewing of our minds is a process and there are ditches on both sides of the road. So during the process of having our minds renewed, we veer closer to one ditch sometimes and then sometimes overcompensate and begin sliding into the opposite ditch. It's hard to keep in the middle while keeping both ditches in view

 

[QuickenedByHim]

It is for anyone who needs to feel they somehow earned it by their own efforts in keeping certain requirements.

This is seen in the parable of the workers hired at different times. It infuriated the early hires to have to accept that others didn't earn things the way they did.

I dont care if its the very last moment that one is able to do so, all I want is for people to deny themselves so they can follow Jesus and be saved/ redeemed/ tramsformed/ quickened by Gods grace that brings salvation!

I submitted to Him, denying myself and seeking the kingdom above all things which is the same thing as taking up your cross. Jesus told us MULTIPLE times that if any man will follow Him, he MUST deny himself, take up his OWN cross (of self denial) and THEN we are able to follow Him. If any man claims fellowship with Jesus or claims to follow Him without having done this is a complete liar and the truth is not in him! (1 John 2:3-4 & 2 John 1:9)

Titus 2:13 is referring to exacty what Jesus promised us in John 14:21&23, the personal appearing of the Father and the Son within a purified believer.

"21He that has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, AND WILL MANIFEST MYSELF TO HIM."
"22Judas said unto Him, not iscariot, Lord, how is it that you will manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
"23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and My Father will love him, AND WE WILL COME UNTO HIM, AND MAKE OUR ABODE WITH HIM."

Harden not your heart and hear His voice. Deny yourself so God can set you free!

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

I dont care if its the very last moment that one is able to do so, all I want is for people to deny themselves so they can follow Jesus and be saved/ redeemed/ tramsformed/ quickened by Gods grace that brings salvation!

I submitted to Him, denying myself and seeking the kingdom above all things which is the same thing as taking up your cross. Jesus told us MULTIPLE times that if any man will follow Him, he MUST deny himself, take up his OWN cross (of self denial) and THEN we are able to follow Him. If any man claims fellowship with Jesus or claims to follow Him without having done this is a complete liar and the truth is not in him! (1 John 2:3-4 & 2 John 1:9)

Titus 2:13 is referring to exacty what Jesus promised us in John 14:21&23, the personal appearing of the Father and the Son within a purified believer.

"21He that has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, AND WILL MANIFEST MYSELF TO HIM."
"22Judas said unto Him, not iscariot, Lord, how is it that you will manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
"23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and My Father will love him, AND WE WILL COME UNTO HIM, AND MAKE OUR ABODE WITH HIM."

Harden not your heart and hear His voice. Deny yourself so God can set you free!

Denying self, dying to self, is a process, don't you agree?
Can't we all see many ways and areas every day that more dying to self is necessary?
No matter how much He humbles me, I always see what more I lack.
There is still pride in me that gets my feelings hurt and lashes out with my tongue in defense.
There is still a seeking for honor present that rises up and says someone ought not to have treated me badly because I deserve to be treated better.

He had nails pounded into Him but I shriek like a banshee if my toes get stepped on or someone snaps unkindly at me.

 

[QuickenedByHim]

Denying self, dying to self, is a process, don't you agree?
Can't we all see many ways and areas every day that more dying to self is necessary?
No matter how much He humbles me, I always see what more I lack.
There is still pride in me that gets my feelings hurt and lashes out with my tongue in defense.
There is still a seeking for honor present that rises up and says someone ought not to have treated me badly because I deserve to be treated better.

He had nails pounded into Him but I shriek like a banshee if my toes get stepped on or someone snaps unkindly at me.

I respect the message and fully understand what youre saying here friend, but it seems as if you might be having trouble putting off the former conversation of your old man which is corrupt, and havent walked according to the rule of a new creature as we are called to. Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, and let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you Stunnedbygrace. Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness, mentally put on the Lord Jesus Christ and consider yourself a new creature, friend: be renewed in the spirit of your mind.

Our brother Peter tells us what we need to ARM OURSELVES WITH to overcome. (Just like most people arm themselves with a knife or a gun.) The mind of CHrist is the weapon we need to fully overcome and recieve the revelation and personal appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ which is our salvation:

"Forasmuch then as Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God."

 

[presidente]

By grace, God enables us to please Him. In Romans 5, it says that as sin has reigned unto death, even so might grace reign unto righteousness through Jesus Christ our Lord.

In Romans 5, it says not to let sin reign in your mortal body. So sin reigned in our mortal bodies, but now grace is supposed to reign through righteousness.

It is by grace also that spiritual gifts are given. When the apostles performed miracles, the grace of God is at work. 'Charismata' is translated 'spiritual gifts.' Part of that word is 'charisma', which is grace. Paul wrote we have gifts differing according to the grace given to us. I have read of 'charismata' being translated as 'gracelet.'

When we think of God's grace being at work when a man with crippled legs was healed and suddenly able to jump and leap, that can help us understand that power is working in us through grace. Paul was able to outlabor other apostles, but not him, but the grace that was with him. God's grace labored hard through Paul.

So it is good to understand grace, not just as God's favor by which we are able to be forgiven even though we deserve it, but also as how God works actively in our lives to do His work and to please Him.

 

[Bogadile]

Reading and listening and observing this forum and the world, I am beginning to worry that the Gospel of Grace has been watered down so much that the New Covenant and the blood of Jesus will soon be of no value and use.

I want to ask Skinski7 and those who support his videos, where do you draw the line on how perfect you must be?
Everyone sins that is a fact, some sins are hidden some are not, but everyone sins. So is it only sins that you do physically and willfully that disqualify your salvation? Or do you count coveting as well which is an immaterial non-physical sin. So even if you do covet something nobody will ever know, so you can keep your mirage of sinlessness.
This system of belief completely negates the death of Christ, you guys might as well go join the local synagogue and go back under the law.

 

[Stephen63]

There are 2 aspects to grace and it can be seen in Jesus dealings with a woman caught in adultery.

The very first thing that Jesus does with the woman caught in adultery is that He gets rid of her accusers - the religious Pharisees that wanted to condemn her because the "bible" said so in the Old Covenant...she was to be stoned. ( the law condemns us )

Jesus was the only one qualified to condemn her but He didn't.


1) acceptance grace - which has nothing to do with our behavior - as seen with the woman caught in adultery. Our Lord beautifully says " I do not condemn you".

It is in knowing you are not condemned that releases the other aspect of grace.

2) now, go and sin no more - this is empowering grace.

Empowering grace enables you to be who the Father sees you are in Christ now because you are a new creation in Him.


The religious mindset says to the woman caught in adultery - 'Do not sin and we will not condemn you."

The grace of God and the blood of Jesus speaks of better things in this New Covenant of grace!

"Knowing" that we are not condemned in Christ "releases" the life of the empowering grace to transform us. It's all about Christ! It's His fruit being manifested in us!

Acceptance grace which is not based on our behavior needs to be cemented in our hearts before empowering grace is able to be manifested.


What believers in a self-effort/self-performance D.I.Y. holiness/righteousness based mindset and the self-appointed "fruit inspectors" have a very hard time with is the "acceptance grace" part.

This just drives them nuts and I understand why because it is scandalous and it "conflicts" with our religious man-made traditions and some church teachings from our denomination or "group".

This man believes that Jesus' teachings before the cross are OT Law, & are done away with.

Then this man uses such "OT Law" to justify his false beliefs about Jesus' "grace" accepting her as she is. Jesus never accepted her as she was, he just didn't condemn her to be stoned. When He said "go & sin no more", He showed He didn't accept her sin nor tolerated it.

That's the thing about easy believeism..... it's proponents talk outta both sides of their mouths.

 

[Grace777x70]

To keep the malice and deceit down to a minimum - I will post this again concerning the words of Jesus. To the self-righteous - He gave the law to expose their need of a Savior. To others that knew they needed Him - Jesus spoke words of grace.

Here is a view of Matthew 6 and forgiveness through the finished work of Christ. I like to use this site sometimes as it has a place at the bottom of the article where people can ask questions. Many of us have the same questions.

Did Jesus Put Price tags on Forgiveness? (Matthew 6:14-15)

The gospel that Jesus revealed declares that God loves you like a father, he holds nothing against you, and he longs for his sons and daughters to come home. It’s the good news an orphaned world desperately needs to hear.
So why did Jesus say this:

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matt 6:14-15)

This sounds like bad news, as though you must earn God’s forgiveness through works of forgiveness. How are we to read these words? I’m going to give you three interpretations, and then you can choose.

1. Jesus is preaching law

As many grace preachers have said (including me in this post), Jesus was preaching law to those who lived under law.

Jesus was the greatest law preacher of all time. He preached law so the self-righteous would see their desperate need for grace.

The old law-keeping covenant has gone but the self-righteous who remain need to hear the harsh words of Jesus. The truth is you cannot earn God’s forgiveness. The measure of forgiveness we need is infinitely greater than any forgiveness we could show to others.

Did Jesus put price tags on forgiveness? In this passage, he does! But on the cross he paid that price on our behalf. The very condition for forgiveness that Jesus preached on the Mount, he fulfilled on the cross. Only in Christ do we receive the Father’s forgiveness.

2. Jesus is describing the fruit of grace

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. (1 John 4:20)

Taylor Swift sang “Haters gonna hate,” but the lyrics are from John. Haters gonna hate because hate is in their heart. The fruit reveal the tree. But if you have been apprehended by the love of your heavenly Father you won’t be a hater anymore. You’ll be a lover and a forgiver.

Paul wrote, “Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col 3:13) and that’s the proper order. God acts, we respond. But if we don’t respond it’s as if God never acted. Do you see the connection? If we don’t believe God has forgiven us then Christ died for nothing. That’s what Jesus is saying here:

In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part. (Matt 6:14-15, MSG)

Unforgiveness is a form of bondage. It’s a grace killer. If you are unable to release forgiveness to others, you’ll have trouble experiencing the forgiveness that God has given to you.

It’s not that God will become unloving and travel back through time and stop Jesus from carrying your sins on the cross. God never changes! But if you don’t respond to what he has done, it’s as if he’d never done it. Grace without faith is worthless.

In the parable of the unforgiving servant, Jesus tells the story of a king who forgives an indebted servant (Matt 18:23-35). But the servant is unchanged by the king’s grace. By choosing to remain graceless and unforgiving the servant reveals his contempt for the gift and the giver. He does not, “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Instead he scorns grace and ends up miserable.

And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses. (Mark 11:25-26)

Again, there are two ways to read this: (1) as a law the self-righteous must obey if they are to keep up their charade, or (2) as an exhortation to walk in the grace of a Father who has already forgiven you in Christ.

“Paul, how can you say God has forgiven you when Jesus says he may forgive you?” Because I’ve seen the cross!

To forgive is to send your sins away and Jesus did that already. He will never do it again and you cannot undo what he has done (Heb 9:26). Because of Jesus God is no longer counting your sins against you (2 Cor 5:19).

The issue is not “what can I get God to do?” but “what God has done and what can I now do because of what he has done.”

Has someone hurt you? Are you the victim of an unforgiveable crime? By the grace of God you can be free from that wound! Don’t hold onto the sins of others like the unforgiving servant. You’ll be miserable. The flow of grace will be poisoned by the bitter root. Let go of sin and take hold of grace. Be better, not bitter. See the cross. See what Jesus did for you them forgive them in Jesus’ Name and be free!

3. It’s both, for Jesus speaks to all of us at our point of need

What you look through determines what you see. If you are trusting in your own performance, you will read Jesus’ words as law. “I must work to earn God’s forgiveness.” You cannot succeed! When life hurts you this law will condemn you as a law-breaker in need of grace, and the sooner that happens the better.

However, if you are trusting in Christ’s righteousness, you will read his words as an exhortation to walk in grace. You want more grace? Then give from the abundant supply he has given to you. Let no bitter root grow that causes you to fall short of grace (Heb 12:15).

Jesus spoke words the whole world needs to hear. The genius of Jesus was that he could speak to crowds of people and meet everyone – the self-righteous and the hungry – at their point of need.

It’s a mistake to dismiss the words of Jesus as irrelevant or old covenant or pre-cross. If it’s in the Bible it’s useful for training in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16).

The words of Jesus either reveal the self-righteousness that leads to death or the Christ-righteousness that causes you to reign in life!

The followers of Jesus still know that he has the words of eternal life!

Here is the link below if anyone is interested. Bless you!

https://escapetoreality.org/2015/08/...tthew-6v14-15/