WORKINGS OF GRACE IN A BELIEVER’S LIFE

                                                           GRACE PART 3

                                Dr Wole Gbogboade

                                                     

  

Text: Titus 2:11-14(NIV)

 

In the previous teaching, we can see clearly that God’s grace through Christ Jesus has brought us salvation.

However, grace still functions in the life of a believer. It does not end in life saving. Rather, it continues to operate in our lives till Christ be formed unto fruitful maturity. Jesus said,

 “By their fruit, you shall know them.” Matt. 7:20

The reason Paul left Titus in Crete was to set in order those things wanting Titus 1:5. In other words, he should study and prayerfully work in Crete to ensure that Cretan believers line their lives up with the word of God and live a life worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that was preached to them.

After we get born again, the grace of God still operates in our lives to enable us to conform to the image of the Son of God. It helps us to manifest the kingdom life-pattern, quite different from world passion which operates in the lives of unregenerated people.

 

Titus 2:12-14.

Grace teaches us the following among other things:

v.12-13              

               (1) To say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions.

               (2) To live self controlled life: The flesh dictates without grace   whereas, the Holy Spirit dictates under grace.

               (3) To live an upright and godly life in this present age.

               (4) Keeps us waiting for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

When we live our life for God, we manifest as people not only separated to Him but also, eagerly doing good works like Him by touching lives and nations until He comes. v. 14

 

 

Our Lord Jesus had offered Himself as a sacrifice for the purpose of redeeming us:

1. from all wickedness:
2. To purify for Himself a people that is His very own.
3. Who are eager to do what is good.

      4. Keeps us waiting for the blessed hope- glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

 

Before grace came, we lived for ourselves to please the sinful nature according to the world standard. Grace came that we may live for God by faith and to be fruitful according to the workings of the Holy Spirit. Gal. 5:22-25. Proof of grace increasing abundantly or exceedingly in our lives manifest as we mature in Christ’s stature and engage in good works as well as develop fruit of the Spirit. Gifts of the Spirit help us to demonstrate God’s power as we preach the gospel and as we live the word. While fruit of the Spirit helps us to develop the character of God and exhibit His virtues Eph 5:1-2, II Pet. 1:5-8. This is the ultimate of the workings of God’s grace upon our lives.

“So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.” Rom. 7: 4

Wherever the Spirit of God leads you, the grace of God will keep you. Grace works more in obedience and obedience work righteousness in Believer’s life. In other words, grace abound more and more in righteousness. Psalm 45:7. Justice enhances obedience and righteousness to enable grace abide in Believer’s life. Psalm 45:6-8, John.15: 7-10

 

Acts 10:38 shows us that the Lord Himself was busy effecting lives, working night and day to serve the Father until the Father called Him home after offering Him as a sacrifice, to die for what He lived for. He obeyed unto death. Phil. 2:1-11. The grace of God enables us to obey promptly without reservation.

Since, what is not worth living for, is not worth dying for, Jesus died for what He lived for. What are you living for? If Jesus comes now, will you say you are satisfied   with the way you have lived your life? Also, will you say you’re satisfied with the way you’ve served Him? Whatever it is, there is still room for improvement. Only you have to take a decision to go in the positive direction.

5- Serve:  Grace enables us to work more than our natural strength can take us. Hear Paul appreciating the Lord’s salvation, call and his own commitment to God’s grace:

     v. 8- “….and last of all He appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

     v. 9- For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

     v. 10- But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them- yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” 1 Cor. 15:8-10.

 

Grace gives us supernatural ability to do the work of God even our own business better than our natural skill can do.

6- Prayer: Just like service, the grace of God enables us to pray beyond natural ability especially in praying the mind of God. It’s by God’s grace that we can receive rhema from God. Even to understand when God speaks by signs, it takes His grace.

 

7- Forgiveness: It takes the grace of God to forgive others especially when you are deeply hurt, persecuted or wrongly accused in your relationship with others or concerning your faith.

8- Love: When it comes to agape, i.e sacrificial love, it is the grace of God that can make us to love those who despise-fully use us. Rom. 15: 1 – 3, 1 Cor. 16:14

 

 

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, abide with us forever. Amen.

 

 Word of Salvation Publication

PO Box 7572, Ikeja (100001), Lagos. Nigeria. Tel: +234- 8033250375,

Feel free to forward this monthly teaching to other Believers. Be a blessing as you are blessed.

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