Grace - Part 2

"And working together with Him, we urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain - for He says, "At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you," Behold, now is "The acceptable time." behold, now is "The day of salvation" (6:1-2).

I recently had occasion to talk with a brother who was dealing with depression and the feeling that he was some sort of trash bucket.  I read in a recent article that the level of self-esteem in our country has reached an all time low.  I also learned the suicide rate among teen agers is at an all time high.

How very tragic for we are more than we think we are.  Peter makes this clear in 1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood a Holy Nation.  a people for God's own possession so that you may proclaim the excellence of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." 

We also need to understand as priest we have different skills and definite abilities.   Our gift or talent might be the very talent needed to reach a co-worker who is struggling.  Pastor Chris's first point, "You are far more than you think you are!"  His question:  “What does it take to put grace into action?” Again we turn to Peter, "Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles" (2:12).  Not an easy task when you are being ridiculed for your faith.  We are also counseled to keep our vessel pure.

Second: “Be cautious with whom you are building relationships.”  Establish common ground relationships.  People who are more like minded in Spirit and truth.  Understand that the world is a mission field; every person we rub elbows with has been sent across our path by God and a candidate for witnessing this love through us both action and word.  Doing something for someone without fanfare is God's seed planting program.  Our question for the day should be, "What can I do for you today, Lord, that will bring honor and glory to You.   We need to be a messenger of the Word without being a preacher.  Be a Sermon without words.

Third:  “Be seed Planters - Seed Planting is for a two- fold purpose - growth of our spirit and truth and, reaping a crop.  There is little sense in plating if the ground is dead.  And how do we plant? By serving first (Luke 6:35). Speaking comes after first giving.  And if a sermon is needed, then open your mouth and let God fill it.

Fourth:, Our task is to first have the faith and  trust to put grace into action. We are not the Holy Spirit but we are carriers of the Holy Spirit.  Our task is to get out of the way and let the Holy Spirit be the Holy Spirit.  There are never periods when we are not under stress.  But we also need know "I (Jesus) am always with you" (Matt 28:20) in reality.

Soooo, my young friends, there is no question, we are living in perilous times.  Satan's goal remains to travel the world and seek all that he can stick thorns in.  Paul helps us keep those thorns in perspective when he wrote, "There was given me a "thorn in the flesh" ....."to keep me from exalting myself" (2 Cor. 12:7).

Blessings,

Gramps