I am enjoying my examination of all the many affects of grace in the believers life. If the apostles were still alive today I would imagine they would admonish us just as they admonish the believers in their day, to continue in the grace of God.
Acts 13:43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
To encourage one to continue in grace is to imply that a person can live their lives according to something other than grace. You've heard the old saying, "it is a woman's prerogative to change her mind." It would appear there are believers who wish to apply this principle with regard to grace regardless of gender. It is as if they wish to apply this prerogative to themselves and think it will do them no harm in doing so. They do err with regard to the importance of grace by adopting such an attitude toward it.
Were you aware that it was grace that played a major role in the apostles discernment of whether or not the New Testament churches were in Christ and healthy spiritually?
Acts 11:23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.
The manifestation of grace in a gathering of believers is a tool for discerning the authentication of Christ's work in their midst. Not numbers, not professional worship, not even gifted preaching. They were looking for the culture of grace.
Were you aware that signs and wonders bear witness to the word of His grace?
Acts 14:3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Those desiring signs and wonders to work should be preaching a gospel of grace through faith in Jesus Christ! Those claiming to carry that gospel should be believing for signs and wonders.
Do you know what gospel Paul preached? Were you aware that Jesus specifically gave him the ministry of testifying of the gospel of the grace of God?
Acts 20:24 "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
If anyone ever tries to tell you there is no need to teach about grace, that there is no need for people to understand grace other than becoming saved, then you should be aware that you are dealing with a person who is blinded by their own conceit and ignorant of the Scriptures.
Paul's ministry was not just to testify of Jesus however he wished, but rather to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Paul took the matter of the working of God's grace seriously.
I wonder how we arrived at so many being able to take it or leave it?
About The Author
- Tim Atchley
- Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
- I currently serve as Senior Pastor of Harvest Church in Knoxville, Tn. I was sent out from Trinity Chapel of Knoxville in 1993 accompanied by my wife Sheila our four children Sarah, Hannah, Josiah & Isaac and a handful of bold, brave and committed believers determined to plant our first church. Pioneering is hard work but well worth the journey. That is why we desire to make disciples of Christ who will, like us, also embrace the call to plant churches.
