How Responsible Are We When the World Rejects Our Message?

I found encouragement this morning with these words.  It is very hard to remember that the world does not reject us as much as it rejects Christ.  I hope you find the same.

His Grace is Sufficient

Genesis 15:6 (ESV)

^"And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness."

This verse has such a rich, deep, and profound meaning for the elect today.  Abram believed God's promises and God counted him righteous not because he was circumcised, not because he earned it, and not because he deserved it.  Abram was righteous because God proclaimed him so.  God bestowed His grace upon his servant and he was justified because of it.

After I spoke on this passage last Sunday morning a very trusted friend gave me a definition of grace.  Grace can be literally defined as God's ability.  When God tells us that His grace is sufficient for us He is telling us that His ability is sufficient no matter the circumstance.  I wholeheartedly agree, but I believe there is a deeper understanding to His grace.

My children are not perfect.  In fact, they tend to drive their mother and I crazy at times.  When they disobey, the consequence for their actions is losing a specific privilege.  But there are times when we decide to give grace.  (My son has even been known to ask for grace when he has gotten in trouble.)  We do this purposely to teach him the truth of God's grace.  When we give grace to our children it isn't because they deserve it or earned it.  We give grace because we love our children and desire to teach them about God's character.

God gives us His grace not because we deserve it, but because He is God, loves His children, and places His grace upon whom he wishes.  What was true for Abram thousands of years ago is still true today for the children of God.  His grace is sufficient for me.  And praise God I don't have to earn it.

Final Inheritance

Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV) ^"13In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."

We have all had one of those days.  A day in which nothing goes right, everything irritates you, and you just want to find a hole and hide.  Not only can this world bring us trouble but more often our own sinfulness brings us down to despair. 

When I look at my own life intimately I find that I have a lot to work on.  I get caught up in my own sinfulness and my frustration increases to the point that I want to throw up my hands and give up.  But it is comforting to know that I have been sealed with the Holy Spirit.  Of course, this does not mean that I've reached the pinnacle of spirituality and righteousness.  On the contrary, the Spirit is just the down payment of my inheritance.  He is only the first installment of the total inheritance which I will receive at the throne of the Father.

I have to remind myself that this world is temporary.  My sinfulness is only temporary.  But until I receive the final inheritance in full I will have to trust in the Holy Spirit and my Savior to get me through each day.  This world will end and His children will come into their inheritance.  What a wonderful day that will be.

To His Glory!