By: Robert D Rogers
One of the greatest gifts of the grace of God is that it enables us to look at our failures, sins, and inadequacies, without fear of rejection or condemnation. The reason many cannot change is that they cannot be corrected without feeling rejected. The ministry of true grace will cause us to delight when we are corrected because of the grace released into our lives. Our heavenly Father knows that we cannot change by self determination or will power. Our hearts are just too wicked. We have too many self centered and selfish ways. We are judgmental of others, while excusing our own un- Christ like actions. Grace is not only for the lost sinner but desperately important to the child of God. Without the Grace of God operating in us, we will never have the power to be transformed into the image of Christ.
True grace has the most catalytic corrective potential of any truth, because it not only gives us the power to change but the desire also. Grace speaks to the nature of God in all of us. When man was made he was made in the image of God. Yet sin has caused that image to be buried so deep it is barely recognizable in some of us and seemingly absolutely invisible in others. True grace ministers a hope and a peace that empowers us to believe that through the love of God that is manifested through grace, we will be given all that is needed to honor and please our heavenly Father, no matter how many times we have failed.
Truly the word failure and grace do not fit into the same sentence. Grace has the power to comfort us in such a way that we understand "there will be no failure" as long as we do not resist the grace of God. Grace refuses to give up on us. Grace tells us, "Get up and try again, for I am with you." When grace is fully active, we understand the phrase "if God be for us who can be against us," and the fear of what others say or think is removed, freeing us to be all that God has called us to be.
Satan's substitutes for the peace, hope, and love that grace ministers through our Lord Jesus Christ are pride, possessions, and position. All of the latter give a man a sense of power over his destiny and situation. Yet as the Bible states, they are all "fig-leaves" that we reach for to cover our nakedness, and at the end of the day they leave us with an unquenchable thirst for just more of the same. What we all need is a revelation of just how deep pride, possessions, and position have mastered and enslaved us. I know many Christians who have almost no concept of how powerful these three lies hold them in bondage and keep them from who they truly are in Christ Jesus. Perhaps that is why the prophets of both the Old and New Testament were required to live such Spartan lives. May the prophets lead the way out of this delusion by their evidence that "contentment with Godliness is great gain."
Let us understand that the prophets have always been the ones chosen not only to preach, but to live out the truth they have been called to restore. May we become the great cheerleaders to the prophets as they are chosen to be the forerunners of restored truth. It will be the prophets who first truly live the life that says, "I glory in my rejections, humiliations, sufferings and weaknesses, knowing that these are the very avenues through which the grace I have been proclaiming flow into my life." It will be the prophets who will first manifest the glory of such Godly contentment and peace, that we will all gladly trade our present circumstances, if necessary, the humiliation of rejection and shame that releases the grace of God into our lives.
Are you called to be prophetic? Then be prepared to learn the deep lessons that must be experienced in order to restore biblical truth. Let us learn not to complain or murmur for an unparalleled grace is awaiting us when we cease to judge and cry out for deliverance from our mistreatment. Later, dear prophet, you and I will look back at our humiliations, rejections, pain, and suffering and say -"I would not have changed one thing - except I wish I would have learned my lessons much faster, for then would I have experienced the grace of God that so nullifies these insignificant trials that His peace and joy would have been so evident, others would cry out "show us where this kind of grace can be found."
2 Cor 12:9-10
"My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
10 That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
The fact that we have had nearly two decades of "wealth is godliness" preaching and teaching has only further entrenched the power of pride, possessions and positions. I am sorry to say that almost all of the spiritual leaders that I was exposed to, believed and taught this error, not by word or doctrine, but rather by action and insinuation. The truth that "he who would be the greatest among you must be the servant of all" has been discarded for "he that is honored above all others with position, power, and possessions is the most favored of God and evidently the most spiritual.
1 Tim 6:5-12
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
KJV
What will it take to unseat this lie? I believe that is where grace comes in. Grace has the power to uncover the miserable state many believers are in because they have pursued position and possessions and will call us back to the humility and sacrifice that are the true measurements of Christ likeness. When men and women live in the grace of God there is such a Godly peace and contentment that others are drawn to its unparalleled beauty. I am not there yet, but I am beginning to understand the Apostle Paul's words when he stated -
2 Cor 11:30
30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
2 Cor 12:9-10
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Are not the words that follow almost incomprehensible to most of us? How can anyone take pleasure in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, infirmities, and weaknesses? The Lord makes it very clear to Paul that it is only through the continual ministry of His grace that the Apostle will make it. Even the most Christ-like among us do not boast when mistreated but rather spend endless hours complaining and grumbling. Is it not so? 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
KJV
Dear beloved and mistreated son and daughter of God, have you been the one chosen by your wonderful Father to restore the doctrine of grace to this deceived generation? Not as a martyr but as a genuinely delighted and contented child of God that has been called to suffer for his name sake. Can others look at your peace and contentment in the midst of your rejection and mistreatment and say, "They have something that I do not have, and I am willing to give up all to experience the peace and love they are walking in."
I was once called to a major Pentecostal seminary to fill in for a beloved professor. While there I re-iterated what the Lord spoke to my heart as I watched a video of Mother Theresa speak at an Ivy League University to heads of state, presidents and some of the most powerful men in the world. The next scene showed her back in Calcutta changing a diaper and cleaning up a severely malnourished nine year old girl. She was then holding her in her arms and had the most contented and peaceful countenance I have ever seen. It was then that the Lord spoke to my heart saying, "She has something you know nothing about!" I was shocked to think that I who am a Pentecostal and have flowed in the power gifts and have served as pastor, prophet and apostle would have this word spoken to me by the Lord. Yet I knew in my heart - the Lord was absolutely correct. I will never forget the spiritual warfare that was going on in that class while I was endeavoring to teach. God had called me to deliver a truth that had the power to transform a seminary that had become enthralled by the religious spirit of pride and control, and the enemy was doing everything he could to thwart that message. Finally through great difficulty, I was able to deliver this unparalleled message of grace operating in Mother Theresa's life to the class. Instantly a major leader of another denomination angrily stood up and left the class with great indignation, and at the moment he left a terrifying scratching noise covered the entire ceiling of that large room. Then suddenly the power of God fell on the students with such force and demonstration we were all shocked.
Grace leads to glory, and glory will reveal the "Goodness of God" like nothing we have ever seen before. Are you with me?
Imagine... a body of Christian believers all speaking, declaring, and proclaiming God's strategic word for this moment in history. Will you join us in this strategic moment of history so that the Church may fulfill its end-time destiny?
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