The BIBLE VIEW #921 — Sin’s Damage

In This Issue:
Too Close to the Jalapenos
The Ink Spot
The “Harmless” Ivy
The Marks That Remained
“I Can’t Get Clean

Volume: 921     August 28, 2023
Theme: Sin’s Damage

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Too Close to the Jalapenos
Bill Brinkworth

A friend graciously gave me a few fresh jalapeno peppers from his garden.  We usually do not eat anything “hot,” but sometimes a recipe calls for them, and I thought it would be a good idea to have some handy for when they were needed.

I took those fresh peppers and cut them up very carefully for freezing.  I knew the juice could be harmful if it got in one’s eyes or mouth, and I ensured it did not get on my body.  I handled them cautiously, and after bagging them, I washed my hands very carefully three times. 

Much later, I washed my face.  Not once do I recall getting a drop there, but the pain began after scrubbing.  Apparently, just the vapors of the “hot” vegetable got on my face, up my nose, and even down my throat.  After rinsing, the waters activated the pepper’s juice, and I had to deal with the agonizing pain for the rest of the day and still felt some of its havoc the next day.

While dealing with the vegetable’s side effects, I could not help but think how sin affects one’s life very similarly to what I suffered from the jalapeno juice.  No, sin may not burn one’s face or immediately cause pain, but one does not have to be in direct contact with iniquity to reap the damage it can do.

One may not commit adultery, but watching suggestive television or movies can put lustful thoughts in one’s mind, changing how one thinks about being faithful in marriage.   Perhaps one never would think about doing anyone harm, but after years of seeing violence on television, killing the “bad guys” on a video game, or seeing it much in a family or work situation, it may be easier for one to act more violently when angry. 

Stealing may be one thing one would never contemplate doing, but after hearing of peers who shoplifted and did not get caught, it may be considered a solution for getting what one wants.  One may never imagine himself being involved in a certain sin, but continual exposure to it by being around those engaged in the iniquity or seeing it repeatedly via different media may have one considering such a sin or changing one’s thoughts to “it’s not that bad.”

Sin is so dangerous that distant exposure to it can affect one’s life.  That is why God commands us not only not to commit it but to stay as far away as possible from it.  Any contact with iniquity can desensitize one to it and may break down any mental barriers one has in being involved with it.  Exposure to sin may not burn your face, as did the jalapenos, but it may allow one to be one step closer to sinning.

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,”  II Corinthians 6:17  Also: Isaiah 52:11, I Thes. 5:22.

“One leak can sink a vessel and drown all.  One sin can sink one’s
life as easily.”


The Ink Spot
Hare, (1796-1834)

The mind of man has been compared to a white sheet of paper.  Whatever we write upon the writing material, and every drop of ink that falls upon it, makes a permanent mark.  That mark cannot be rubbed out without much injury to the paper.  

Even while the ink may be somewhat fresh, it cannot be eliminated.  Sometimes, a bigger mess is made while attempting to remove the spot.  Every ink speck embeds itself into the paper.  If we even try to write over it, we may make a deeper blot.  After scratching it out, the next letters written on the spot are blurred.

However small we deem them, every sin affects our lives.  Therefore, we must be careful of what we “write” on our lives. 

Sin will harm all who allow its life-altering marks to soil themselves.  This is why we must separate ourselves from it and avoid it at all costs.

The wages that sin promises the sinner are life, pleasure, and profit.  However, it only pays him death, torment, and destruction.  He that would understand the falsehood and deceit of sin must compare its promises with what its payments truly are.” — South, (1633-1716)


The “Harmless” Ivy
Spurgeon.

In the gardens of Hampton Court, you will see many trees entirely vanquished and strangled by huge coils of ivy.  They are round about them like the strangling snakes around a victim.  Every hour the rootlets of the climber are sucking the life out of the unhappy tree.

Initially, the ivy was a tiny, harmless appearing plantlet, only requiring a little aid in climbing.  Had it been denied then, the tree would have never become its victim.  The humble weakling grew in strength, arrogance, and soon assumed the mastery.  The tall tree became the prey of the creeping destroyer.

The moral is apparent.  Sorrowfully, we remember many noble characters ruined by their “little” habits.  

Drink has been one’s ivy in many cases.  For others, it may have been dishonesty, laziness, or jealousy.  Reader, see that you are not involved in sin, lest the slowly-advancing iniquity overpowers you.  Sin hurts everyone!

It is Satan’s custom to use small sins to draw us to greater crimes
against God.”Manton (1620-1667).

The Marks That Remained
Mursell

A father told his child that the youngster should drive a nail into a post whenever he did anything wrong.  He also told him that when the child did that which was good, he could pull one of the iron spikes out of the post.  A great many nails were driven into the post, but the child tried very hard to get the post cleared of the nails by striving to do right.

At length, he was so successful in his struggles with himself that every nail was drawn out of the post.  The father was just about to praise the child when, stooping down to kiss his son, he was startled to see tears fast rolling down the child’s face.  “Why, my boy?  Why do you cry?  Are not all the nails gone from the post?”

“Oh yes!  The nails are all gone, but look at the marks that are left.”

This familiar illustration reminds many of past sins’ damage to their lives.  It is possible to have those sins forgiven and forgotten as one calls on the Lord to do so.  However, the havoc done by sin may linger for the rest of one’s life.  That is why it is wisest never to get involved with iniquity in the first place.  There will be no regrets when nothing regretable has been done.

Your ship may have escaped damage by the formidable rocks, but beware lest you be wrecked on the unsuspecting sands.” Gregory Nazianjen


“I Can’t Get Clean
Mursell

In one of the grandest tragedies of a great English poet, there is a scene that is enough to make one’s blood run cold.  A woman whose husband had made himself king of Scotland by means of several murders and who had been the prompter and partner of his crimes came on stage.  While in her sleep, she continually rubbed her hands as though she were washing them.  She cried, “Here’s a spot!  And another!  Will these hands ne’er be clean?  This blood I have soiled myself with will not come off!  All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten its stench.”

In her words, this is an awful truth.  We can stain our souls with sin.  We can dye them, and double-dye them, and even triple-dye them.  We can dye them all the colors of Hell’s rainbow, but we cannot wash them white.  All the sweetest perfumes in the world will not mask the stench they have left on our consciences.  All the fountains of the great deep will not wash away one little spot of sin.  Its wage and the guilt it often brings can linger around much of our lives.

The usurping Queen of Scotland had been guilty of murder.  The blood from the one she had a part in spilling stained her conscience.  However, it is not just the sin stain of murder that robs one of peace.  Every sin soils the soul.

In that tragedy, the Queen said, “What’s done cannot be undone.” Consider those words.  One cannot push back the wheels of time and make yesterday come again to do over afresh what was done wrongly.  That which you did in the past cannot be changed.  However, a Christian can confess it to the Lord, ask for forgiveness, and strive not to repeat that sin.
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12  

The BIBLE VIEW #920 — Unbiblical Teachings

In This Issue:
Misconceptions
Unbiblical Beliefs
Just You and Jesus

Volume: 920     August 21, 2023
Theme: Unbiblical Teachings

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Misconceptions
Bill Brinkworth

Too often, the teachings found in the Word of God are ignored and replaced by what people think is right, especially about salvation.  None of mankind’s opinions matter, however.  What is important is ”what saith the Lord.”

Good deeds and works will not get anyone to Heaven.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2:8-9  (Grace is the undeserved favor, kindness, and love God bestows on individuals.)
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:28
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” Titus 3:5

The laws preserved in the Bible teach us what sin is, but following them alone will not get anyone into Heaven.
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Rom. 3:20
“And by him [Jesus] all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Acts 13:39  Also: Rom.  3:28.

Church teachings and traditions that do not align with God’s preserved Word will not save anyone!
Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.” Mark 7:13
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8
“Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.” Titus 1:14

The Bible (KJV for English-speaking people) is the ONLY place where God’s truths and plans for mankind are preserved.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” II Tim 3:16
 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Rom. 15:4
(To learn more of this truth, read “The Word of God ONLY” at https://www.devotionsfromthebible.com/isaiah/the-word-of-god-only/)

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13


Unbiblical Beliefs
Bill Brinkworth

After speaking to many about how the Bible tells us we can go to Heaven, I have heard many beliefs not found in the Bible.  Those ways are not what God has revealed to man.  Some of those ways include:

“There is more than one way to get to Heaven,” and “There are many different roads to Heaven.”  Those philosophies are never taught in the Word of God.

The point of the Bible is to state and preserve God’s plans and commands for all mankind.  Suggesting that man can believe and do what he wants to get to Heaven contradicts Bible’s teachings.  It is man’s way that got him in his sinful state.  Only God’s Way is the path to salvation.  It is God’s Heaven, and there is only one way to get there — His!
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6   Also: John 10:9, 11:25

“We are all children of God!” If that philosophy were true, and we were all children of God, why is there a Hell, and why were we warned about it so we would not go there?  Also, why did Christ die for us if all were going to Heaven?  No one is a child of God unless he is born into God’s family by a spiritual birth.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3    Also: John 3:5

“We’ll see so-an-so in Heaven.”  When discussing the whereabouts of a deceased person, many assume that the person is in Heaven without knowing anything about his spiritual decisions and condition when on Earth.   Quite frequently at funerals, it is mentioned, possibly so people’s feelings will not be hurt, that the person the service is for is in Heaven, when the person never made any profession or indicated that he was trusting Christ as Saviour.  They may have been saved and in Heaven, but the way many talk is all are going to Heaven, and only the “really bad people” are going to Hell.

That sounds humane and nice, but it is God’s Heaven and not man’s; God says only those who do what He commands will go to His Heaven.  It is only His way that matters.  That way is trusting in Christ’s shed blood to cover one’s sins and admitting (confessing) Christ as Saviour (Rom. 10:9).  One will only go to Heaven if saved!
“And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Mat.  7:23   Also: Mat.  25:12, Mat. 25:41, Luke 13:25, II Tim. 2:19

“I’m a good person, so I’ll go to Heaven.”  The Bible does not teach that either.  It teaches the opposite.  The Bible says we are all sinners because of having been born sinners and also our commission of it. 

Because of our sins, we cannot go to Heaven unless we do what God says we must do to get there, and that is to be saved.  No one is a “good” person.  All are sinners!
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Rom. 3:10
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Rom. 3:23   Also: Rom. 5:12

“If God is going to put people in Hell, then I don’t want to have any part of Him or Heaven.”  That statement immediately reveals the person does not see the seriousness of where he is heading eternally.  He is rejecting God’s plan of salvation.
“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21  Also: John 3:18, I Cor. 1:18

God does not want anyone to perish in Hell (II Peter 3:9).  He has clearly shown in His preserved Word the only way anyone can go to Heaven.  Only His way will get anyone there, not mankind’s path.  God’s way is by trusting that Jesus’ death on the cross is the only payment God will accept for anyone’s sin.  That belief is the only one that will get anyone to Heaven!

“If you are on the highway to Hell, take exit John 3:16 to Calvary’s Cross Road.  Don’t wait until it is too late!”  — Author Unknown
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16


Just You and Jesus
Bill Brinkworth

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”  I Timothy 2:5

What wonderful news it must have been to the Jews, who were used to Old Testament worship when they first learned they could go to God themselves in prayer.  Before Jesus’ death on the cross, they had to have priests go to God as middlemen for them.  After the sacrificial death of Christ, they could go to God themselves.  There no longer was a need for priests.

However, then and even today, many believe they cannot go to God themselves.  Whether they realize it or not, these folks still attempt to worship the way it was done in Old Testament times.  Some go to a “priest” in a confessional and tell him their sins.  With his words and doing what he tells them to do, they believe he can order their sins forgiven.  They trust the “priest” to mediate between them and God.  

Others pray to the dead, and some to deceased biblical characters, hoping a “saint” can be the middleman between them and God to have their sins forgiven or requests granted.

Sincere as those people are, what they are doing is contrary to the teaching of the Scriptures.  I Timothy 2:5 tells us there is only one mediator between God and us, and that is Jesus Christ.

We also no longer have to present a perfect, unblemished animal sacrifice for the high priest to carry its blood through the temple’s curtain into the Holiest of Holies, as in the Old Testament.  When Christ died, God ripped that veil in two from top to bottom.  Now any believer can go to God in prayer through Jesus Christ without a mediator.

Telling a person, be it a priest, parent, or any other person, one’s sins will not remove the consequences of one’s iniquity from God’s memory.  Those people may want to help, but they also are sinners in need of the Mediator. 

Going to anyone else other than Christ to meet a need in one’s life or receive help from God will not result in God answering one’s prayers.  The only one qualified to go to the Father on our behalf is His Son, Jesus.  He is the only mediator between God and man.

“Well, my friend, today we have a Mediator.  The Lord Jesus Christ has come.  He has one hand in the hand of Deity because He is God.  He can save to the uttermost because He is God and has paid the price for our salvation.  He is a Mediator because He has also become a man. 

“He can hold my hand; He understands me.  He understands you.  You can go to Him, and He will not be upset with you.  He will not lose His temper, strike you, or hurt you in any way… He still loves you and wants to put His arm around you.” 
 — J. Vernon McGee

The BIBLE VIEW #919 — Sowing & Reaping

In This Issue:
Reaping and SowingSin’s Crops
He Regretted That Crop
What We Sow
Ouch!

Volume: 919     August 14, 2023
Theme: Sowing & Reaping

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Reaping and Sowing
Bill Brinkworth

When a gardener plants corn kernels, he expects them to germinate and produce corn.  Likewise, when he drops lettuce seeds into the soil, he assumes he will one day harvest lettuce.  All farmers and gardeners rely on the law of sowing and reaping.

Just as the agricultural law is always true, so is a similar truth of reaping and sowing the things in life.  When one sows godliness, he will reap blessings and have God’s hand on what “grows.”  When sin is “planted, it also will produce a crop, but a very unpleasant one that most regret.

Here are some biblical verses that teach principles about sowing and reaping in our lives:

Sinful seeds:
“Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity [sin], and sow wickedness, reap the same.” Job 4:8
“He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.” Prov. 22:8
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Gal.  6:7-9

Godly seeds:
“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” Psalm 126:5

“Sin wouldn’t be so attractive if its wages were paid immediately!”


Sins’ Crops
Bill Brinkworth

“Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD.  And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.” II Sam.  21:1

The idea that “when I sin, it only affects me” is not biblical.  There are many scriptural examples that when a person sins, it affects others around them and even many in their future generations.  One such instance occurred to the people of Israel because of King Saul’s sin.

The Gibeonites had tricked Joshua into sparing their lives (Joshua 9:3-27, around 1,451 B. C.).  The tribes’ falsehood was soon detected, but only after Joshua’s princes gave the Gibeonites their word that their lives would be spared.  The dishonest Gibeonites and their future generations were sentenced to be servants to the Israelites because of their sin, but they were not killed.

Many years later, King Saul broke that promise and killed many Gibeonites (II Sam.  21:1, around 1021 B. C.).  Although the pledge was made generations previously, God judged Israel by allowing famine in their land.  They suffered from a leader’s breaking a promise of bygone days.

Others also encountered God’s judgment because of the sin of:

Idolatry and hating God:
“Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;” Ex. 20:5   Also: Deut. 5:9, Lev. 20:4-5 (Also for the killing of babies.), Isa. 65:6-8.

Parent’s sins:
“Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” Ex. 34:7 
“Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.  15 Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.” Psalms 109:14-15
“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” Deut. 30:19  Also: Num.  14:18, Num.  14:33, Lev.26:39-40, Isa. 14:20-21, Jer.  32:18.

Wickedness:
“How oft is the candle [their future] of the wicked put out!  and how oft cometh their destruction upon them!  God distributeth sorrows in his anger.” Job 21:17

Although there are many more examples in the Bible, it should be evident from the instances above that people often reap the consequences of another’s sins.  Sin hurts many people.

We also can see it in our own lives.  Laws are made that restrict the freedoms of many because of the actions of a few. 

Teachers sometimes have to be stricter in their classrooms because of the actions of some disobedient students.  Security is often increased in a country because of the sin of others, and often those doing right have to pay for their lack of freedom with their taxes.  A country’s leader can make decisions that hurt his own citizens and sometimes even kill them.  Sin always hurts the trespasser and, many times, those around him.

However, sometimes others can receive God’s blessings from the actions of a godly person or persons.  People and countries were changed and saved by King David, Jonah, Paul, John, Peter, and other righteous people.  If our own Saviour, Jesus, had not stood up and done right, we would never have had the possibility of going to Heaven.  Many nations, including the United States, have been blessed because of the godly stand its early forefathers had made.  Future generations can reap good things from those that lived earlier by God’s principles.

The wrath of God does not have to fall on all of those nations with ungodly leaders or those with wickedness in their ancestry.  The one thing that can override God’s judgment on individuals and even countries is that people of the current generation can make the right decisions. 

God’s grace and mercy are often poured out on those who choose to live according to God’s will and way.  Yes, we will often reap some of God’s judgment on the sins of others and for leaders’ ungodly decisions.  Still, it can be limited if God’s people turn and obey Him — individually and nationally.
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” II Chron.  7:14

Never forget or be fooled; one always reaps what one sows!  If one plants a crop of sin, he will reap the harvest of some rotten fruit.”


He Regretted That Crop
Daniels

Two farmers in Kentucky were mad at each other.  One had carefully kept the evasive Johnson grass out of his fields.

Meanwhile, a mischievous son of one of the farmers took a bushel of Johnson grass seed and scattered it over a 40-acre field one night to bring havoc to the other’s property.  The feud was settled in due time, and the neighbors became friends.  The boy who planted the seed fell in love with his neighbor’s daughter and married her.

When her parents died and the administrator came to divide the estate, that boy was given the 40-acre field he had planted years previously.  The last I heard from him, he was still digging Johnson grass and regretted the day he sowed the weed!

So it is with sin; in the end, we reap what we sow — and usually regret it!

“You can’t shack up with the devil and expect God to pay the rent!” 
— Author Unknown


What We Sow
Author Unknown

If we sow a thought, we reap an act;
If we sow an act, we reap a habit;     
If we sow a habit, we reap character;
If we sow character, we reap our future.


Ouch!
Michael P. Green

Lord Byron, a poet, spent his life searching for pleasure.  Modern people would say, “He tried to live it up.” One day in desperation, he wrote:

The thorns I have reaped are of the tree I planted.
They have torn me, and I bleed.
I should have known what fruit would spring
from such a tree.

“He who sows thorns should not go barefoot!”  — Author Unknown

The BIBLE VIEW #918 — Grace

In This Issue:
God’s Grace
Day by Day
“My Grace Is Enough for Thee!”
Invincible Grace

Volume: 918     August 7, 2023
Theme: Grace

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God’s Grace
Bill Brinkworth

The word “grace” is not used as much these days as it has been in the past.  Few note that they are even experiencing it, but grace is one of the most important gifts anyone can receive from God.

Noah Webster defines “grace” as “the free unmerited love and favor of God; the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from Him; the favorable influence of God.”  Without this undeserved gift from God, we would be most miserable, which may explain the sad, without-hope condition of many.  Too many are missing “God’s grace” in their lives!

To understand more clearly about “grace,” this brief word study on the subject may help you know what it is we can or do have:

We can only have God’s grace because of Jesus.  We cannot receive God’s grace because of anything we have done.  Our good works and deeds will not merit us any grace.  We must be part of the family of God by accepting Christ as Saviour.
“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” Rom. 3:24    Also: II Cor. 8:9, Eph.  1:7, Eph.  2:7.

It is God’s undeserved merit (His grace) to us that any of us can be saved.
“But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” Acts 15:11
“That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:7    Also: Rom.  5:15, Gal.  1:15, Eph.  2:5-8.

A saved person has access to God’s grace!
“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Rom. 5:2

Grace is a free gift from God!
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think,.…” Rom. 12:3    Also: Rom. 12:6, 15:15, I Cor. 3:10, Eph. 3:2, 3:7, 4:7, James 4:6, I Peter 5:5.

God’s grace is still available when we are involved in sin.  Fortunately, because of God’s grace, we do not always get what we deserve!
“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound.  But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:” Rom. 5:20

Just because we are not chastised by God every time we sin does not mean we can sin whenever we want.  It is His grace that often spares us from what we do deserve.
“What shall we say then?  Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  God forbid.  How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Rom. 6:1-2
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Rom. 6:14   Also: Rom.  6:15-17, Gal.  2:21.

We are no longer held to obey God’s Old Testament laws to earn His favor.
“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.  But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” Rom. 11:6

One can lose God’s grace!
“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” Gal.  5:4   Paul was addressing saved people that were also trying to obey the Old Testament laws.  It is not saying one can lose one’s salvation.   Also: Heb. 12:15.

If we are anything, we are what we are because of God’s grace.
“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” I Cor. 15:10

God’s grace will meet all one’s needs and help one through any difficulty!
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” II Cor. 9:8
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” II Cor. 12:9   Also: II Thes. 2:16, Heb. 4:16.

Grace is a gift we should desire for all to have.  The New Testament writers often wished and prayed for God’s grace for those they were writing to.
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen.” Rom. 16:24    Also: I Cor. 1:3, I Cor. 1:4, I Cor. 16:23, II Cor. 6:1, II Cor. 9:14, I Thes. 5:28, II Thes. 1:2.

We enjoy God’s grace.  We should have mercy on others like-wise and extend grace to them, even if we think they do not deserve it.
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Eph. 4:29   Also: Col. 3:16.

Some foolishly never give God’s grace a moment’s thought or mutter, “I can do just fine without God’s grace.”  Before they even think such thoughts, they should wait until they suffer the loss of a loved one.  Then, they will need God’s grace to stand next to the coffin and help them through that heartbreak.  They should wait until they have a difficult time, then they would long for God’s taking them by the hand and guiding them through the trial.  They should also wait until confusion overcomes their lives and indecision dominates their thoughts, then they would wish for the comfort of God’s grace to help them through the difficulty.

Grace is a gift from God we constantly need to get through our time on Earth.  We do not always recognize its presence in our life, but His grace is one of the added blessings of being a child of God.  We cannot get successfully through this lifetime without God’s extraordinary grace!

“Grace means ‘undeserved kindness.’  It is the gift of God to man the moment he sees he is unworthy of God’s favor!”  — D. L. Moody


Day by Day
D. L. Moody

A man can no more take a supply of grace for the future than he can eat enough today to last him for the next six monthss or take sufficient air into his lungs to sustain his life for a week to come.  We must draw upon God’s boundless stores of grace daily as we need it.

“We can only fully see God’s grace from the foot of the cross!”


“My Grace Is Enough for Thee!”
C. H. Spurgeon

One evening I was riding home after a hard day’s work.  I felt much wearied and sore depressed when swiftly, and suddenly as a lightning flash, the text came to me, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” When I reached home, I looked up the verse in the Bible, and it came to me this way: “My grace IS sufficient for thee.”  I said, “I should think it is, Lord,” and burst out laughing at my minutes of doubting or forgetting that His grace was all I needed.  His grace was enough for anything!

I never fully understood what the holy laughter of Abraham was until then.  It seemed to make unbelief so absurd.  It was as though some little fish, being very thirsty, was troubled about drinking the river dry, and the mighty Thames River would say, “Drink away, little fish, my stream is sufficient for thee.”  It seemed like a little mouse in the granaries of Egypt after the seven years of plenty, fearing it might die of famine.  Joseph might have said, “Cheer up, little mouse, my granaries are sufficient for thee.” 

Little faith will bring your soul to Heaven, but great faith will bring Heaven to your soul.

“God’s grace is the only cure for sin!”


Invincible Grace
Leighton

Divine grace, even in the heart of a weak and sinful man, is an invincible thing.  Drown it in the waters of adversity; it rises more beautiful, as not being drowned, but only washed.  Throw it into the furnace of fiery trials, and it will come out purer and loses nothing but the dross, which our corrupt nature mixed with it.