Maximizing Grace. Part 3

Maximizing Grace. Part 3.

Friday, May 22, 2009

You and I have the opportunity of a lifetime.
But how we will spend the blessings of God’s grace?

Our escrow account will not be released to us until we grow in His grace and knowledge and develop the capacity to handle His grace blessings properly.
1JO 2:28-29

So there are times to flee, and times to pursue the things of God.
And when we must flee from certain temptations, that is actually a part of running the race for God.
1Cor 9:24-27

So this is what we are exploring; how to maximize God’s grace in the race for the morning star!

God has an unlimited provision for us,
HIS GRACE!
But we’ve got to know how to use it, and how to get more of it!

And then there is the other side of the coin, those who are seeking to be justified by the law, they are not maximizing the grace of God!
GAL 5:1-4

We can catch ourselves living in Cosmic 1 or Cosmic 2; in a lifestyle of arrogant self-righteousness, or of immorality.
Both are deceptions from the kingdom of darkness!

The way that we glorify God is to receive His highest and best in time and in eternity.

We receive God’s highest and best by appropriating His grace and mercy to the maximum by making Bible doctrine our top priority in life.

Without a lifestyle of application of God’s Word, one is on the path of a losing believer, in reversionism and developing hardness of heart.

It is in the LIFE, in the practice of God’s righteousness, that we can gain capacity and access more grace from God.

When you practice Grace Orientation, you show mercy toward yourself when you fail, and you give others the benefit of the doubt.

1PE 5:5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives Grace to the humble.

Grace Orientation flows out of genuine humility in our souls, which in turn is fed by our growing awareness that nothing good dwells in us, that is our flesh. Grace Orientation is a mental attitude, PRO 23:7 , For as he thinks within himself, so he is.

Arrogance is the manifestation of evil, and it is the opposite of Grace Orientation.

And the evidence of Jesus’ humility is seen in Him regarding others, all of sinful mankind, as more important than Himself!
That’s Grace Orientation! And that’s “humility of mind”!

So if you THINK you are humble, you can simply ask yourself “do I actually consider others as more important than me?!” and “do I consider their personal interests?”

Bible doctrine is the thinking of Jesus Christ, and learning and applying doctrine is the antidote to arrogance.
And the road to true humility.

The only greatness that matters in life is great capacity for receiving and giving.

Grace Orientation, or humility of mind, will develop capacity in your soul.
Capacity to bring Him glory by receiving the blessings of God, and capacity to freely give to others.

Grace Orientation is a response to Grace, and grows as the believer metabolizes and applies Bible doctrine.

Grace Orientation is a combination of humility and gratitude, humility concerning self without Christ, and gratitude concerning Christ.

Grace Orientation includes loving the unlovable; it involves having the ability to crush, but instead stooping to help.

Grace Orientation is a response to Grace that involves letting that Grace change your thinking so that you become what you observe and admire in Jesus Christ.

God gives grace to the humble, those who humble themselves and treat others in grace, and that is also seen in putting others ahead of their own interests.

Truly understanding God’s grace will motivate us to live and work for Him! Thankfulness and love will drive us to happily serve Him! 1CO 15:10

And then we choose from our free will to live for Him, do His works, and fully utilize of the grace of God!

As Church-age believers and Royal Family of God, we must avoid superimposing our personal desires on God.

He has given us "exceeding abundantly above all we could ever ask or be imagining." EPH 3:20

James 4:6-8
But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Another sign of a humble person is they tremble at God’s Word; they show the Word great honor and respect in their soul.

Part of a humble believer is someone who worships God in sincerity and Truth.

God knows us so intimately, and He is looking for the humble heart who worships Him in sincerity and Truth.

JOS 24:14-15
"Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.

Sincerity WITH Truth
is everything.
That is the humble spiritual life, if empowered by the filling of the Holy Spirit.

Sincerity is from the Greek eilikrines (i-lik-ree-nace’); from heile (the sun’s ray); judged by sunlight, i.e. tested as genuine (figuratively):