Most Christians are familiar with the grand ole hymn, written by John Newton, entitled - "Amazing Grace."
The first stanza says -
"Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now I'm found.
Was blind but now I see."
But notice what the second stanza says -
"'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed."
Did you catch what John Newton wrote about Grace? He said that it was Grace that not only "saved" him, but then "taught" him. It was Grace that "taught" his heart to "fear" God.
Is that scriptural? Does Grace not only "save" you, but then "teach" you afterwards?
Yes, that concept is totally Biblical and is exceptionally brought out in Titus 2:11-12, which says - "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world."
From this verse of Scripture, we find that Grace is a teacher. She is an instructor, a trainer, and a corrector.
How does she teach?
Grace teaches not by way of information and instruction - as a schoolmaster does his scholars, but by way of precept and command - as a sovereign who gives laws to his subjects. She takes possession of your heart and makes you acquainted with the mind and will of God. She directs what to shun...what to follow...what to avoid...and what to do. She teaches by using a disciplinary process of correction that includes chastisement.
There are a large number of nominal Christians who are being taught after a certain fashion, but it is not by grace. Some are claiming to be "under grace," yet they are living lives filled with compromise and sin. Is it really "grace" that they are "under"?
The Popular Commentary said - "God's grace is pedagogic, disciplinary, practical."
Under the discipline of Grace, you are not left to your own waywardness. She proposes to form Christ in your nature...purposes to make the tree good...deals with your springs of action...and concerns herself with your motives. She supposedly brings out the scales and weighs on one side - worldly idols, love of popularity, self-seeking, slothfulness, self-indulgence, pride of heart - versus Jesus on the other side.
Grace implies the notion of correction - generally by pain. Her training is a lifelong work which has an end - the cleansing and then the consecrating of you as a temple of the Holy Spirit.
The Great Lesson she teaches is both negative and positive - the negative coming first.
Titus 2:11-12 says - "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world."
Grace has two major lessons - not five, not ten, not one hundred - but two.
The first major lesson taught by Grace is negative. Before she teaches you what to do, she teaches you what to be done with. Before bringing you into the blessedness of the new life, she first separates you from any and all connections with the old. Before you can possess the "new" that God has for you, she negates the "old."
Her first "word" of command to you is - "deny." That word means to abhor, detest, abstain, have nothing to do with, and refuse to practice.
What is it that you are to "deny" once and for all?
You are to "deny ungodliness." That includes all things that are contrary to God - meaning whatever would lead you to doubt His Being, essential attributes, providence, government of the world, and influence over men's souls. It includes impiety or what we would call - "practical atheism" - having unbelief...neglect or disesteem of God's Divine Being...not loving, fearing, trusting in, obeying Him...as well as profaning His holy name.
"Ungodliness" was the first sin committed in the history of the world. Hence, it is the parent of all sins. Usually, it is the first sin in the life of the individual and can be said to be the root of all sin.
It manifests as man seeking to lose all sense of God's Presence or to make it his object to escape all thought of God. It causes him to seek to find substitutes (in material objects of this transient world) for the God Whom he has forsaken.
Besides "ungodliness," Grace "teaches" you to "deny worldly lusts." These consist of the sinful lusts reigning in the world and common to the men of this world who have their portion therein and live without God. They are the impulses of sensuality, selfishness, pride, and ambition - the corrupt and vicious desires and affections.
Grace "teaches" you to renounce, repudiate, defy, resist, and give up such sensuality and filthiness. She "teaches" you to withhold your consent from them...refuse the delight they suggest...and even tear them up by the roots out of your soul and mind - if need be.
Rather than give you a "license to sin," you can see from the Scripture that Grace instructs you as a believer to reject the ungodly passions, pleasures, and values of the present age - regarding them all as abominable.
As implied, Grace does not tolerate sin in your life. She uncovers it...goes after it...rebukes it... gives a hatred for it...and empowers against it.
She understands that, as a saint of God, you cannot walk with God unless "ungodliness" is "denied." You cannot live as a citizen of the New Jerusalem unless you "deny worldly lusts."
Her next lesson is positive. After "denying ungodliness and worldly lusts," she "teaches" you to "live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world." That includes your duties to yourself, then to your neighbor, and last of all to God.
She "teaches" you to "live soberly" by exercising a due restraint on your passions and propensities. That includes exercising sobriety in speech, behavior, apparel, eating, drinking, recreations, and enjoyments of lawful satisfactions.
She "teaches" you to "live righteously" by respecting the claims of your neighbors. That includes exercising justice and charity towards others - while performing your duties with fidelity.
And, lastly, she "teaches" you to "live godly" by remaining undefiled in the midst of defilement. That includes having a right knowledge of God...a fervent love unto Him...an entire trust and confidence in Him...a holy fear to offend Him... subjecting your will entirely to Him...and having holy longings for the enjoyment of Him.
Grace is "teaching" you. How well are you doing as one of her students? At the present time, what grade would she give you in your walk with God?
We, at Walking In Truth Ministry, are aiming - like never before - to bring forth both audio and written messages that are filled with God's Grace. It is our desire to work alongside of the Grace of God which continuously is at work "teaching you that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, you should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world."
Have you been blessed by this Bible message on Grace? What about all of the audio and written messages which you have received this past month and over the years?
If you have been blessed (and we know that you have been by your comments), then we ask you - as the Scriptures instruct - to prayerfully consider being a blessing to us with your financial gift. God will surely bless you if you will. You can be assured of it.
To all those who faithfully support us every month with your financial gift, we want to say - "Thank You" - from the bottom of our hearts. We could never have accomplished all that we are doing without your help! May the Lord reward you richly in this life and in the life to come! We know that He will!
At this time, if you would like to be a blessing to this ministry, you can make your check out to - Walking In Truth Ministry - and mail it to the following address -
Walking In Truth Ministry
P.O. Box 383016
Duncanville, TX 75138-3016
Or, if you prefer to use Paypal, you can send your financial gift to - [email protected]
You can also send a Money gram - if that means of exchange will work better for you.
We are a nonprofit organization with a tax exemption status.
Thank you ahead of time for your gracious gift,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved