Oh What Amazing Grace

The grace of God has been poured out upon us in such abundance that we take it for granted. I sincerely hope that after this conference we will serve the Lord with a greater reverence and fear considering the awesomeness of His purpose toward us. Since the covenant of promise was re-established with Abraham after the flood, we will start there on this trail of grace.

Romans 4:1-5

1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

I. SALVATION BY ELECTION

All mankind was lost in sin and death. There was none righteous before God. Nevertheless, Abraham believed God, and that belief was accounted to him for righteousness. He was a sinner as were all others. He, too, was lost. He did nothing that provoked God to save him. He had no works of righteousness wherein to boast. Therefore, his salvation was by election. God chose him. He did not choose God, for it was grace (divine love and unmerited favor of God) that apprehended Abraham. However, even grace itself has criteria with God.

Genesis 18:17-19

17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;

18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

This is the Lord’s testimony of Abraham, “I know him.” God knew Abraham before He called him. He knew that Abraham would believe Him and that if given a chance this idol-worshipper would keep the way of the Lord and do justice and judgment. Having known Him before time, it was determined that Abraham would be a partaker of the righteousness of God. Thus, he would one day be delivered from the sin that bound him in death. God gave him a chance to walk in that which he would believe of God. This was an act of grace and grace alone.

Romans 11:5

Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

According to the scripture, there are some who belonged to the nation of Israel who have obtained mercy according to the election of grace. In other words, there are some Jews God has chosen to be saved in the end time. However, the principle or the method of election does not change on their behalf. For even as we were sinners and alienated from God, so are they. They will do no works of righteousness that merit this divine favor. However, the criteria of their election are the same. For the Lord knows those who will hear and receive the gospel in the times of the Gentiles as well as in the times of Jacob’s trouble. Therefore, He has reserved this remnant unto Himself.

Romans 11:6-7

6 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.

7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

The nation of Israel will not obtain that which they seek for because they do not seek after it by faith. Nevertheless, those of the election will believe the report that they hear. The rest will remain blind.

Ephesians 2:5-13

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

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.

11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

All of the above scriptures reveal that election is by grace through faith or belief in the promise of God. It is a free gift to those who dare to believe and trust in the Word of God. It is profitable to note that it is the Father who looks in the heart of men and determines whether they will believe His report. He is the only one who can determine such. He is the only one who can judge the contents of a man’s heart. Therefore, those who reject the truth are condemned to destruction already. For the Father has revealed to Himself the contents of their hearts.

Hebrews 4:13

13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Beloved, if you are a partaker of the grace of God, please do not do despite to it. For the penalty for such is very great. Consider the following scriptures.

Galatians 2:21

21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

The word frustrate means to make void. It is noteworthy that we do not make void in our lives the grace that God has bestowed upon us. Paul warns the Galatians church concerning this. They received the Spirit of God that had cleansed and justified them, but were being drawn back to the works of the law. The mind of some in the church is the same. Though many have received the Holy Ghost, they refuse to walk in the righteousness of the Spirit. Instead, they seek to please God by performing church duties and acts of charity. Once again the Spirit says, “Obedience is better than sacrifice.”

Hebrews 12:15

15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Bitterness is simply another word for iniquity. This condition of the heart will surely cause us to fail of the grace of God. Contrary to some, it is possible to fall from the grace of God. We must be diligently seeking the righteousness of the Word of God as law for our lives. Remember, this grace is given as an opportunity to be a partaker of eternal life. It is a birthright. It is the right to partake of the inheritance of the Father at the time appointed. However, one can forsake that right and forfeit their inheritance. The story of Esau cited below is an exposition of the mind of the Father toward those who do not hold the grace of God preciously. As He rejected Esau, so will He reject us.

Hebrews 12:16-23

16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Look where the grace of God has brought us. We are a part of the general assembly and church of the firstborn whose headquarters is heavenly Jerusalem. We have come into the presence of God, who is the Judge of all. All things are manifest before Him. He knows the contents and the intents of our hearts. Grace has also brought us to the company of those whose spirits are now made perfect. These are they who waited in the prison of death in the lower parts of the earth, which are now perfected, and have been delivered by the gospel of grace into the presence of God.

These are the men of old, who believed God in the days of the flood and the time between the flood and Christ. Paul told us in the great faith chapter (Hebrews 11), that they could not be made perfect without us. Well beloved, they are rejoicing, having maintained a righteous faith in the spoken Word of God. They are our witnesses. They are the proof that the grace of God is powerful enough to preserve our soul if we do not war against it.

Hebrews 12:24-27

24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

I truly hope that we all can see that the Lord is shaking this ministry with His word. Even now there are those who are fainting and doing despite to the grace of God. This shaking is a must for us. Those things that cannot be shaken will remain steadfast and immovable and will abound in the works of God. For those who remain will be a testimony to the entire Body of Christ of the unspeakable grace of God. The following scriptures are a description of the mind of the ministers of Christ toward the grace given unto them.

2 Corinthians 6:1-10

1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

10 As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Beloved, we are not debtors to our flesh. We can fulfill the call of God in our lives. Let us strive to obtain a good report as those who have gone on before us. Hold fast the grace of God and let us make our election sure by enduring to the end.

THE POWER OF BELIEF

Now the condemnation of the first world was due to the fact that Noah believed God.

Hebrews 11:7

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

It is evident that God had given commandment to men of old. However, they departed and disobeyed the Word of God. Nevertheless, there were some who believed God, even though they were sold under the bondage of sin and death. Now where there is one who believes God, all others who do not believe Him are indeed condemned. But what is it that they believed?

Hebrews 11:1-2

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

Hebrews 11:4

4 By faith Abel offered unto God

Hebrews 11:5

5 By faith Enoch was translated

Hebrews 11:7

7By faith Noah,

Hebrews 11:8

8 By faith Abraham,

Hebrews 11:11

11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength

Hebrews 11:21

21 By faith Jacob,

Hebrews 11:22

22 By faith Joseph

Hebrews 11:23

23 By faith Moses,

Hebrews 11:31

31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not

Hebrews 11:32

32 Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

Hebrews 11:35

35 Women received their dead raised to life again:

Hebrews 11:36

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

Hebrews 11:37-38

37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

Hebrews 11:39

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

Hebrews 11:40

40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

WAITING FOR THE PROMISE These all died looking for the promise. They believed in the word God spoke to Adam and Eve in the Garden. They believed that a coming Savior would save them from death. They even believed that death itself would not prevent their redemption. Abel, Enoch, Noah and all the prophets of the first world believed in the coming of Christ. Abraham and the ones after him believed in His coming also. By their belief, they obtained an imputation of righteousness from the Father. Because of their belief in the spoken Word, they were visited in death and retrieved from the power of it.

Isaiah 42:6-7

6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

This is the gospel of grace that was preached from the beginning. It is the good news that declares the coming of one who will deliver men from the power of death. Otherwise, they would remain in the darkness of death in the lower parts of the earth. Men had to believe that God was not slack in His promise. Their hope and faith had to be in His word. For it would be by His Word that they would live. God promised Adam and Eve a deliverer. This message became universal to the inhabited parts of the earth. It was represented to all men then as it is to us now.

How is it that God expected those who had not received the Spirit of the Promise to believe Him and we who have received it are still struggling with unbelief? I dare say that their faith in God’s Word condemns us all who do not believe, after having received the Spirit of Promise. Belief in the Word of God provokes Him. He is truth and He wants to be known as a God of truth, so that man would believe in Him and that which He has spoken. There is no power that could prevent those who believe Him. Even the grave will loose its authority over them.

Christ went into the belly or pit of hell to retrieve the souls of them who believed and awaited the promise of God. He released them from their prison of death and brought them into the presence of God. God declares that man is without excuse in not believing Him. For the things that might be known of Him, He has revealed. Even the conscience of man knows the voice of God. It understands the difference between right and wrong.

THE CONSCIENCE: THE JUDGE OF THE FLESH

Though it is often set aside, the conscience is still the judge of the deeds of the flesh. In the unregenerated man (sinner), it speaks to the mind and declares his deeds as sin. The way of the Lord is righteousness, goodness and love. The conscience is very aware of these. It convicts the sinner of his sin, but without Christ he is unable to establish sinlessness. Nevertheless, the sinner knows the act of sin and waywardness. Now the Word of God is not foreign to the conscience. It was given to man as a candle of the Lord. It is the knower. It knows the voice of its Creator.

Therefore, sinful man has to rebel against his own conscience in order to continue daily in sin. Though men overrode and are still overriding their conscience, the revelation of God as truth is knowledge that the conscience retains. Therefore, when God speaks to mankind by His Spirit, man is without excuse in not acknowledging Him as God. Not to believe God implies that He might be a liar, or even as Satan. This is an abominable thought. God is truth and in Him is no lie. To doubt Him is a personal insult.