the importance of grace part 6. christ is the author of our salvation. he has provided for all...
TRANSCRIPT
THE IMPORTANCE OF
GRACE
Part 6
CHRIST IS THE AUTHOR OF OUR
SALVATION. He has provided for all
humanity the gift of Grace. It is free for the taking.
But, in reality, NO ONE can RECEIVE the BENEFITS of that
GIFT until they TAKE POSSESSION OF THAT GIFT.
POSSESSION OCCURS when WE
OBEY JESUS CHRIST.
Only then can we take possession of
that gift
WHEN WE RECEIVE THE GIFT OF
GRACE, BY OUR OBEDIENCE, JESUS BECOMES THE AUTHOR
OF OUR SALVATION.
Until that moment, Jesus is not our saviour. “And being made perfect, He became the author
of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him“
(Hebrews 5:9).
WE MUST REALISE THAT WE ARE NOW
UNDER THIS PERIOD OF GRACE
All who have, or will ever live after the resurrection of Jesus Christ are living under
this period of Grace.
We all have a debt of sin that is due. We are worthy of spiritual death, yet God,
through Christ has given to us a time period in which we can redeem our debt of sin.
Our debt is our own sins. The reward for unforgiven sin is spiritual death. "For the wages of sin is death"
(Romans 6:23).
We do not have to pay that debt if we accept the
Grace of God.
"But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord.“ (Romans 6:23b).
The gift of God, which is Christ Jesus and the Grace that comes
through Him, is eternal life. God's love for us has been
extended to us by this gift of Grace.
God has given to each of us an opportunity to redeem our debt of sin. Now is the time for our
salvation.No one is exempt form this
debt of sin (cf. Romans 5:12 & 14).
Now is the time to redeem your debt of sin through Jesus
Christ, by obedience to the gospel.
If, in this life, we reject this opportunity to
receive the benefits of God's saving Grace, then we have the wrath of God to look forward
to in that day.
If we are disobedient to the gospel of Christ, what do we have to look forward to?
Paul says that: "For which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience"
(Colossians 3:6).
THIS WILL BE THE LAST OPPORTUNITY GIVEN TO
HUMANITY FOR SALVATION
There are some doctrines that imply that God will grant a second period of
Grace for those who failed to take advantage of God's Grace during their lifetime.
This is not even hinted at in the New
Testament. During our lives, if we fail to accept this grace, then we do
not have any other opportunities.
In the parable of the fig tree
(Luke 13:6-9) our Lord teaches us that we are now
living in the last time.
This is time for us to accept the Grace of God.
If we do not accept this Grace, then we will be
rejected by Him.
Luke 13:6-9 "He spake also this parable; A
certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found
none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come
seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumber it the ground? And he
answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou
shall cut it down."
For three years the lord of this vineyard sought fruit from the fig tree.Each year there was no
fruit. What is represented by the fig
tree? What do the three years represent?
The fig tree represents God's people, or in this text the Jews. The three
years represent the three ages in which
God provided opportunities for His
people to accept Him.
The first year was the age of the Fathers, or the star light
age. God's will was revealed, but not in full. Some accepted what was given, but many failed to
produce fruit. They rejected God and
turned to idols instead of the living God.
The second age was that of the Law or
the Mosaic age.In this period of time, God presented His
law and gave His people guidance by that Law.
He also sent them prophets to guide them. More knowledge of God was
revealed, yet God's people still failed to produce meaningful fruit.
We could call this the moon light age.
The third age was the time when our Lord Jesus Christ ministered
the gospel upon this earth.
God sent His only begotten Son to reveal God and His word. Yet, they
would not hear the Son.
They crucified Him: again rejecting God. They failed to produce fruit, even when the sun light of God‘s
word was the brightest.
No visible fruit was produced during these three ages. The Lord
wanted to destroy the fig tree, but the keeper (Jesus Christ) asked for one more year (age)
The Lord of the vineyard granted one more
year, or age, in which the dresser of the vineyard would put forth an all out effort to
cause the tree to produce fruit. If it did not produce any fruit at the end of that year, then it would be cut down, and no more
opportunities would be given. This last year, or age, is the Christian age.
It is the age of the Holy Spirit. We now have all of God's Word revealed, there will be no more
new revelations.
If we fail to obey God during this age (the
period of Grace), then there are no
more opportunities given to obey God.
This truth was made clear by our Lord:
"Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost
shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speakes against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." (Matthew 12:31-32)
The last year of this parable is the age of the Holy Spirit. This is the time when the Holy Spirit would
reveal all truth. If all truth would be revealed, then
no more could be expected. To reject the Holy Spirit is to reject the message that the Holy Spirit
presented. That message is found in the New
Testament.
Now is the time for our
salvation: not some time yet to come. We are now living under this age of the Holy
Spirit, which is the time that God has provided His Grace. Once We die, then the period of Grace has ended for us.