The Good News. Job Mothiba
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them happen to you but, to others and now it is tough to ask for stuff like healing, prosperity etc. Do not disqualify yourself. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)
*dogma- a belief or set of beliefs that is accepted by the members of a group without being questioned or doubted. “I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.” (Romans 16:17)
Grace is unmerited or undeserved favour of God towards humanity. It is unmerited or undeserved because every human being were spiritually separated from God because of sin and became enemies of God, deserving to die and go to hell. But, God in his infinite mercy send Jesus Christ to come and die for all us.
“All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead-It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved! (Ephesians 2:3-5)
Grace is also gift of God to humanity and it is this grace that bring us into the family of God. It is this grace that make us the sons and daughters of God. It is this grace that make us to be born again. It is this grace that make us acceptable in God sight and side. “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” (Ephesians 1:5)
“And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.” (Romans 8:17)
When the grace of God comes into our lives, it accept your repentance from sin, it forgive our sins, it degenerate you and give you salvation. The bible says: “it is by grace that we are saved, through faith, not by ourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
The only way any of us can enter into a relationship with God is because of His grace toward us. Grace began in the Garden of Eden when God killed an animal to cover the sin of Adam and Eve “The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21).
Sinful men showed their faith by offering the sacrifices that God required. Now, there are still some people or nations who wants to get salvation outside Jesus Christ. Since, we have the Israelites as a nation, the people that God first chose to bear His name and gave them the Law of Moses. On the other hand the Gentiles-non- Israelites. Now when Christ came and die for the redemption of the whole world.
But, the Israelites didn’t believe on the Messiah death and resurrection that brings redemption and salvation to the whole world. Some of them to this day, still don’t believe in Jesus Christ, as the saviour of the world instead, they practise ordinances or ceremonial rite laws. The bible says: “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:11-12)
The Bible is clear that, salvation is found in nowhere else, except in Jesus Christ, through faith in him. Therefore, those people who wants to get salvation outside Jesus Christ will not attain it. Since, you cannot get salvation by your good works (giving money to the beggars, helping people in need and doing philanthropist works) or by sacrificing the lambs and goats or by any other means except through believing on the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. “He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins–and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” (1 John 2:2)
Beloved, the Grace of God does not give us freedom to do the works of flesh. The Word says “The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you”. (John 15:19)
As Jesus said, he has called us out from this world (from sinful and wicked practises of these world) that is the works or the function of grace. Whenever anyone accept the grace of God into their lives, your sins will be forgiven and begin to live in the ways of God. “For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, (Titus 2:11-12)
This grace is not cheap, therefore it should not be despised. There is a consequences for that. “Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. For we know the one who said, “I will take revenge. I will pay them back.” He also said, “The LORD will judge his own people.” (Hebrews 10:26-30)
“For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law–I stopped trying to meet all its requirements–so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die” (Galatians 2:19-21)
But, rather the grace of God give us ability to live a holy life day by day. A life free from sin. A life like Christ. “For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)
“Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes–these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. (Ephesians 5:3-7)
God offer us these types of grace to enable us to serve him in righteousness and holiness without any excuse. “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.” (Acts 20:32)
Saving grace: “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8)
Sustaining Grace: “I now place you in God’s care. Remember the message about his gift of undeserved grace! This message can help you and give you what belongs to you as God’s people.” (Acts 20:32)
Supplicating grace: “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they