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May 1, 2005 - Under Grace
“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!” (Romans 6:15)
Paul taught the believers to offer their lives as living sacrifices (see Romans 12:1 – 2) and not to be conformed to the pattern of this age. They were to oppose being conformed to this world by renewing their minds. How can we renew our minds? By service and prayer only? No. Only by the studying of God’s Word and putting into practice in our lives will we be able to renew our minds. Service and prayer are an out-working of God the Holy Spirit teaching us “all that Jesus said.” In fact the Holy Spirit is our teacher, our only true Teacher. But what would He teach us? The Gospel of John records Jesus’ word on that subject: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” He would teach us the Word of God. The Holy Spirit uses the Bible to save the lost and bring us closer to the image of Jesus Christ. That is why Paul was not ashamed of the gospel. The gospel according to grace is one of total commitment to God and His Word, for how can it be otherwise. If the Bible is not sufficient for our whole life, then how can the world’s wisdom be better? As the Proverbs teach us to seek after God’s Word to gain a wise heart, so does James, in his epistle, tell us to seek God’s wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5) Also James teaches us:
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:13 – 18)
For those of you have been entrusted with the ministry of the Word of God, minister only the Word of God. As Paul said to the Corinthian church: “These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” (1 Corinthians 2:13) Again Paul says: “But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.” (1 Corinthians 2:15) The truly “spiritual” man or woman uses the Word of God to judge all things and to test all things. The Apostle John encouraged the believers by saying these wonderful and “inspired” words: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Beware of false teachers and false prophets! Jesus said: “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:24)
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