By Pastor Jack Marbida
When you think about grace, what comes to mind again? This topic has been repeated over and over but do you really understand what it is? Grace is undeserved favor from God. You do not deserve it but because of God’s love, it is bestowed upon you. Learning the fullness of grace is a revelation from God. Other than that, it will remain a mystery to you.
Genesis 2:8-9 says, “Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made. The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” But in Genesis 2:16-17, God specifically instructs Adam not to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Eve was only created in verse 22. She was only a second hand receiver of God’s instructions. That is why it is important to read the word of God so that you will not be second hand receivers of God’s instructions too. You can listen to your pastor but it is better to get the word of God from Himself.
God gave you the gift of choice. As with Adam and Eve. What sin did they commit? It all began with pride, which is the original sin committed even by Lucifer. Isaiah 14:12-15 states, “How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’ Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths.” Lucifer was created as the archangel but he wanted to be God so he was thrown into hell. That is pride. Just like Adam and Eve, who wanted more wisdom for themselves, thus, they ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Pride is the mother of all sins. And when Adam and Eve ate the fruit, their spirit died and they got disconnected with God. They became separated from Him, sin entered the world and man had a timeline already. God removed them from the garden of Eden because if they eat from the tree of life, they will live forever and they will also be forever separated from God. The grace of God still prevailed here.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” There is nothing you need to do but believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. John 10:10 says “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” That is God’s plan - for you to have a satisfying life. John 14:6 says “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Everybody needs to have a connection with God. 1 Peter 1:23 says, “For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.” Read God’s word and get connected to Him.
John 3:6-8 says, “Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” If you are connected with Christ, little changes begin to take place. The real problem is spiritual because of your big disconnect with God. When man does not understand this, they create solutions to problems they do not understand. Information does not mean transformation. If you do not understand, you will keep on focusing on your old self instead of the new creation. God created you for Himself alone and only He can give you the satisfaction that you need.
2 Timothy 3:5 says, “They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” This is why you need to be born again. The spirit needs to be born again! You need to have an encounter with Jesus Christ. John 3:5 says, “Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.” 1 Peter 1:23 says, “For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.” Titus 3:5 also says, “he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”
You are a spirit with a soul in a body. The spirit that used to be dead was regenerated and cannot be penetrated by the enemy anymore. The corrupted soul is being sanctified until Jesus comes or until you die, whichever comes first. The dying body will be glorified when Jesus comes too. You need to have the Holy Spirit in you!
As you experience the grace of God, hang onto Jesus. Even if you sin and make wrong choices, return to God. Allow Him to work in your life. Listen to Him to experience His grace. Get back in His presence. Meditate on His word and experience the true love of your Savior, Jesus Christ.
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