We are a generation consumed with a distorted idea about grace. In our minds “grace” covers everything. It covers our willful disregard for time everyday in the Bible with the One we say we love. It covers our willful disregard for the things we do that we KNOW that the Bible says we are not to do. It covers the stingy way that Christians and churches hoard the assets that God gives to His children to spend on the expansion of His image and kingdom. We might as well say that “grace” is my license to live anyway I want and still claim to belong to Jesus!
As a result we are unhappy, disobedient and sadly unaware of the fullness that God has designed for us. We should not build our lives on this kind of grace.
The grace (gift) of reconciliation that God in mercy has given to us in the Gospel (good news) about His Son, has given to us new and eternal life That new and eternal life is to be built from the word of God, by the ministry of the Spirit of God, with active support from the people of God. God’s true grace is active, building a radically new life for all who come to Jesus to be born again. Grace and obedience to the word cannot be separated, anymore than salvation and transformation.
The word God touches three dimensions of our beings
The word of God is designed to fill our minds with the words, commandments and designs of God: what we think, especially the presuppositions upon which we presume to build life. Romans 12:1-2 reminds of us of just that. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
(Rom. 12:1–2 ESVi) The word of God is intended to capture our hearts bending them into submission to the will of God: what we desire and therefore do with our presuppositions.
The word of God is designed to conform our wills to the will of God:, the boundaries we place upon ourselves in order that the life we predispose can be built.
The Bible is clear about all three of these dimensions
Our minds are to be founded on the word that God has breathed into written form and preserved, AND, on the incarnated word of God, Jesus Christ. Matthew 4:4 It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Cf. Deuteronomy 8:1-3; John 31-9 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Luke 8:15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience 2. Our desires and decisions are to be tethered to the word(s) of God and living word of God. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” 3. Our wills are to be bounded by this same word Luke 8:21 But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it. Luke 11:28 But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
Applications
Reflect and reaffirm consciously your conviction that the Bible is the word of God and that you agree with a host of others that it is our only rule for faith and life (practice)
Spend time daily listening to the only language the Holy Spirit speaks so that your life's many daily decisions can be tethered to His applications
Allow your mind and your heart to be overwhelmed with the commitment to keep your life within the Bible's revealed boundaries
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