Chapter 4

by grace through faith Faith is the operation of the Holy Ghost within us and is manifested by our obedience to Him. Therefore, it is grace that saves us by our obedience to the Holy Spirit. epHesians 2:8-10

8 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.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Grace is the life that Christ has predestined to live through our bodies, however, our faith is our obedience to that life. It is when we obey the grace of God within us that the life is manifested through us. The works of the soul cannot please God, however there are works of grace – the good works performed by Jesus through our flesh.

JoHn 6:29

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

There is one work given to the soul – to believe. Belief is more romans 5:21 - That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

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than the crossing of the fingers in hopes that God will do a thing; it is our obedience to the Father and agreement with His will. We cannot say we believe God if we do not obey Him. When the soul obeys then Christ shall do all the good works necessary to save him. This is how we are saved by His grace.

Let us parallel these two scriptures: romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. epHesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Once again, it is the life that Jesus lives through our flesh that shall save our souls. With that said each of us has received a dispensation or measure of grace according to the call of Christ in us. epHesians 3:1-5

1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you- ward:

3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; Paul sets the stage by having us understand that his soul was inside (or imprisoned by and in) the Spirit of Jesus Christ. However, he continues to let us know the reason he was in the flesh with Christ. His purpose/measure/calling was that of apostleship. This was the dispensation of grace given to Paul. In other words, the life and/or gifting that Jesus Christ manifested through Paul’s body was that of apostleship unto the Gentiles. epHesians 4:7-8

7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Once again the Father proves His Word. Measure refers to the

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life that Jesus will live through a particular body. The scripture says we have received the measure of the gift of Christ. Now Jesus can live whatever life He chooses, using whatsoever gift He sees fit for His ministry. The life He intends to live is the grace which we receive.

I hope we are seeing grace from God’s perspective. For so long we have twisted the Word of God and have made provisions for sin. However, by the Word of God we see that grace is not that sin might abound, but sin is the transgression of grace. We ought not to fight against the life that Christ has designed to live through us. Oftentimes we think we know the way something ought to go, but our way shall not save us. I believe the following scripture truly ties in the revelation of grace:

2 corintHians 12:7-9

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 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.

Paul was greatly anointed of the Lord. The Lord therefore sent certain buffeting that he would not be exalted above measure; however, consider the sentiments of Paul. He prayed three times that the buffeting be taken away from him. He was often hindered by the buffeting. He would be stranded, attacked of animals, beaten, shipwrecked, etc: all of which took time; time he could be using to minister. He prayed that for the Lord’s sake (and not his own) that the buffeting be taken from him. However, the Lord responded by saying: “my grace is sufficient for thee.” The Lord wanted Paul to be comforted in the fact that whatever life Christ had decided to live through his flesh was exactly what was necessary to save his soul. He is letting Paul know that his grace includes suffering, however if Jesus is living through his body, that is all he needs (sufficiency).

The doctrine of Grace is so powerful. It is not an advocate for sin, but it is the manifestation of righteousness. Grace allows us to cease from our own labors of trying to please God; and the holy life of Christ lived out through our flesh, by our obedience to the faith of His Son, shall save us. Oh what Amazing Grace!