"Great Grace"
In the Book of Acts Chapter 4 vs. 33 it reads "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."
The Holy Ghost drew my attention to the fact Great Grace was accompanied by Great Power. Realize that Peter, James and John were among those on the Day of Pentecost in that Upper Room. The other apostles were there as well as many of Jesus' closest disiples. They had been taught by Jesus and I am sure he said much more to them than the few words which are recorded on our bibles. Just like we reveal our hearts or secrets to our closest friends I am sure Jesus did that to his faithful followers. I believe when the Holy Ghost filled them they knew it was more than just tongues. It was more than just a gifting but it was a reality that this same Jesus who said "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." in John 14:18 had come to them and in them by the Power of the Holy Ghost.
When God sent Moses to Pharaoh he told Moses he was making him a God to Pharaoh. Moses asked God whom shall I say sent me and God told Moses to tell him "I AM". There is a revelation in that which is present tense. Gods' word declares "A day with the Lord is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day" Why? Because God does not live in the confines of time. He lives in the Past - Present and Future all at the same time so that means all things are "Now" to him. It declares in Genesis that God has rested from all his work. He's a Faith God and has, just as he's told us to do, called those things that be not as if they already are and his faith will be rewarded. All his works are perfect and he planned a Perfect and Complete redemption for us In Christ.
The bible says the worlds were framed by the Word Of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which appear. God just spoke and his words brought all things into existance. He spoke the beginning and the end and his speaking encompassed, fenced in or framed the worlds. When Adam disobeyed God he was told "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread". That was part of his punishment but what do you think he did before that? I believe he did what he saw his father do and that was no more effort than just speaking and by speaking things just came to pass. If there was any work or toil involved it was enabled by Grace not fleshly effort thereby making the work a pleasure or a joy.
God's word says we are saved, or delivered, or made whole by Grace through Faith. It also says that "And if by Grace, then it is no more of works: otherwise Grace is no more Grace but if it be by works, then is it no more Grace: otherwise work is no more work".
Our world is framed by the words we speak. Just as Our Father we speak by Faith and we dont toil by the sweat of our face because we are the Redeemed of the Lord. We are not under the curse. So what about works? We know that Faith Without Works Is Dead.
Our Father has declared a finished perfect work In Christ Jesus. God has declared that we are complete In Christ Jesus. He has declared us blessed with all spiritual blessings In Christ. His Word declares we were and we are healed. He says we are no more strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the Household of God. We are his Sons and Daughters and our worlds are framed by the words we speak.
We speak about Faith -- but -- If we are Saved by Grace and Grace is not work why do we put all the emphasis on us and our ability to Get Faith? It's because we have yet to understand the Great Grace given unto us in Christ. We talk as if Faith saves us and we boast of our great faith and by doing so we "Take the Glory" that belongs to Our God. We cause men to look on us as if our own power or holiness has made us great.
Yes! There are works! The works are because they have been enabled by Grace. We call this salvation the Great Confession and that is what it is. We are called to be faithful and true witnesses. We are not called to do works to prove our faith. If that were the case it would be a works salvation. God said it was not of works -- Lest Any Man Should Boast! So what about works? We are called to rest In Christ. We are called to testify in this world court of public opinion who Jesus is and what Jesus has done. We testify of the truth, he has spoken to our hearts, of this great salvation. The people asked "What shall WE DO, that we might work the works of God?" Jesus said "This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he hath sent." In 2nd Corinthians 4:13-14 Paul writes "We having the same spiritof faith,according as it is written,I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise us up also by Jesus."
That spirit of faith came when they heard the word of faith, the gospel of their salvation and they believed that word. Notice faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Then that word when it is believed gives us the ability to speak with confidence because out heart or spirit bears witness that what we just heard is truth. We then begin to frame our world just as God by speaking or testifying with our mouth the truths which we believe. As we hold fast to those truths and continue to speak the truth -- Grace Comes -- and if works are required that Grace enables us to do the works. We get strength to do what we couldn't have done successfully before and find it is a pleasure, a joy, regardless of the task because we know it was his grace that we labored with and not just the strength of a mighty show in the flesh. Because we know that we "Boast In The Lord" and "He Gets The Glory"
We become examples to follow but servants to our brothers and sisters. We espouse them to Christ and Him Alone. They are His Bride and we aren't to take their eyes off him and turn them to us as if we are some great one. To do that is spiritual adultery or fornication as we would be spiritually having another mans (Jesus's) wife.
Therefore it is written in Hebrews 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
That is the "Good News" ..."It Is Finished" ... Repent (meaning change your mind) and believe the "Gospel of Grace"
We are His Witnesses -- We Confess -- Acknowledge --Proclaim the Finished Work In Christ
We cannot go on to Perfection unless we agree with Him -- God's word declares that we Grow Up In Him by Speaking The Truth In Love. We are His Children and we Love Our Father.
Now in the days of Jesus's flesh the Pharisees sought out false witnesses that they might accuse and condemn Jesus. It is a sad fact but things have not changed all that much. They threatened to break fellowship and kick out of their synagogues any that would confess Jesus. They would send them out of the synagogue and today if you dare share the truth, which might go against some churches pet doctrines. You will be labeled as a heretic but you will have a peace in your heart. His Spirit will witness with you and you will find His Approval on your testimony and not be ashamed.
YOUR GREAT CONFESSION will be met BY HIS GREAT GRACE
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Proverbs 14:25 A true witness delivereth souls but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.
Luke 12:8 Also I say unto you, whosoever shall confess me before men, him
shall the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God.
Ephesians 2:8 For by Grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves
it is the Gift Of God.
FAITH IS GIVEN
YOU BELIEVE AND SPEAK
GRACE COMES AND ENABLES
WORKS FOLLOW
and
GOD GETS THE GLORY