A Study on Grace Written by T.O.D. Johnston A concise study on the subject of Grace, based on the book Grace by Le is S!

erry "hafer in #$%%. The book is tota&&y based on Scri!ture. 'y !ur!ose as to di(est and concise&y co)er the *ost i*!ortant !oints of this &en(thy study of the subject of Grace. A&& the a!!ro!riate Scri!ture is inc&uded. +ead the book Grace by Le is S!erry "hafer here , htt!-..barti*aeus.us.!ub/do*.(race/!#.ht*& The author of this study on Grace, T.O.D. Johnston, has been a student of Scri!ture since #$0%, and as &icensed to !reach the Gos!e& by 1aran 2a!tist "hurch on 'ay %3, #$0$. 4e as an art teacher for o)er 56 years in 7&orence Schoo& District 5. 4e no enjoys s!endin( his ti*e ith his ife, and at his studio on ##8 Sau&s St, Lake "ity, S". htt!-..bib&estudy&essons!df.co* htt!-.. .!aranba!tistchurch.co* 1ub&ished by O en Johnston 9 htt!-..o enjohnstonkarate.co* This docu*ent is a ork in !ro(ress 9 :ersion 6.$.$.$b Last u!dated 9 ;o)e*ber <th, %6#5

% A Study on Grace 9 Lesson = The (race of God !ro)ides sa&)ation throu(h the sacrifice of "hrist, free&y, by faith. God has (i)en instruction to these be&ie)ers as to ho to &i)e in res!onse to their ne standin( and hea)en&y ca&&in( in "hrist. They are to be obedient chi&dren to the 4ea)en&y 7ather, to be (uided by 4is S!irit. To the or&d >and a&& other re&i(ions?, "hristians are obser)ed and jud(ed accordin( to out ard orks. They see just another syste* of orks to earn sa&)ation and a ticket to hea)en. This is s!iritua& b&indness. =t cannot be hea&ed by obser)ation or kno &ed(e. A&& other re&i(ions ha)e &ists or ru&es, a&so. S!iritua& si(ht and understandin( co*es on&y throu(h the *inistry of the Word of God and the 4o&y S!irit. The be&ie)er recei)es the S!irit that they i&& kno the thin(s of God, (i)en us free&y in "hrist= "orinthians %-$,#6,#< , $ 2ut as it is ritten, @ye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither ha)e entered into the heart of *an, the thin(s hich God hath !re!ared for the* that &o)e hi*. #6 2ut God hath re)ea&ed the* unto us by his S!irit- for the S!irit searcheth a&& thin(s, yea, the dee! thin(s of God. #< A 2ut the natura& *an recei)eth not the thin(s of the S!irit of God- for they are foo&ishness unto hi*- neither can he kno the*, because they are s!iritua&&y discerned. John 5-5 , 5 Jesus ans ered and said unto hi*, :eri&y, )eri&y, = say unto thee, @Bce!t a *an be born a(ain, he cannot see the kin(do* of God. =t is on&y the 4o&y S!irit that is !ro*ised to us into a&& truth. 4e is ca&&ed the S!irit of Truth. 4e i&& s!eak of the (&ories of God and the b&essin(s of 4is sa&)ation in "hrist Jesus, and i&& sho us thin(s to co*e >see John #3-#5,#C?. So be it, A*en. The Word is the seed that is s!read by hearin( or readin( to the hu*an *ind >as different as each !erson, as described by the different soi&s in the !arab&e of the So er?. The S!irit aters and e*!o ers the seed to s!rout. =n ferti&e soi&, it (ro s into the heart and beco*es a &i)in(, *aturin( !&ant to !roduce fruit. :arious other conditions and distractions are described as !re)entin( the s!rout and a ne &ife. The 4o&y S!irit continues to (uide and e*!o er the

5 A Study on Grace 9 Lesson = continued ne &ife, and God (rants the increase. = John %-%0 , %0 2ut the anointin( hich ye ha)e recei)ed of hi* abideth in you, and ye need not that any *an teach you- but as the sa*e anointin( teacheth you of a&& thin(s, and is truth, and is no &ie, and e)en as it hath tau(ht you, ye sha&& abide in hi*. Sa&)ation is not the resu&t of the ork of *an for God. =t is the (ift of God- by (race, throu(h faith. 'odernis* dec&ares that anyone that has !ursued the !ro!er education are then Dua&ified to be an authority in that subject. This has &ed *any inte&&i(ent and educated *en >*ost&y? to teach and rite about "hristianity and the 2ib&e ithout kno in(, understandin(, or e)en reco(niEin( thin(s of a s!iritua&, *iracu&ous, or di)ine nature. They can be ca&&ed unre(enerate and s!iritua&&y b&ind. They are &eft ith a syste* of ethics as the (reatest benefit of "hristianity to *odern society. This is the &i*it of their ritin(, teachin(, and !reachin(. Their "hurches beco*e a se&f,i*!ro)e*ent society. The (oa& is to (ro and *ake the ho&e cu&ture and beha)ior better and better 9 a !aradise on earth. The 4u*an =*!ro)e*ent Society. They a&so reco(niEe the (ood ad)ise and ru&es of other re&i(ions, as different >but not bad or fa&se? ays to God.

< A Study on Grace 9 Lesson == Grace , "ha!ter #. Grace- the su!re*e *oti)e of God in the creation, !reser)ation, and consu**ation of the uni)erse. =t is the &o)e of God sho in( itse&f ithout &i*it or *easure. =t is infinite and eterna&. =n the ;e Testa*ent, the thou(ht of (race is a&*ost eBc&usi)e&y eB!ressed by the ord F(raceF. =n the O&d Testa*ent, the thou(ht is a&*ost eBc&usi)e&y eB!ressed by the ord Ffa)orF. The often (i)en definition of (race is un*erited fa)or. 0 7unda*enta& 7acts about Grace. #. Grace is not ithhe&d because of sin. GodFs (race !ro)ided the ay of sa&)ation throu(h "hristFs sacrifice, to !ay for *anFs sin. God is ri(hteous, and free to besto (race in e)ery case. Sa&)ation is by (race a&so. @)ery hu*an bein( has the choice to acce!t or reject this. %. Grace cannot be &essened by sin. =t ne)er fa&&s short, bein( ithout *easure, the eB!ression of GodFs infinite &o)e, 4is tenderhearted &o)in(,kindness. 5. Grace cannot incur a debt. =t is (i)en free&y and therefore cannot be !aid for before, at the ti*e, or after. ;othin( can be added or taken a ay. The &i)in( ser)ice of *an is the faithfu& eB!ression of &o)e and (ratitude to God, for 4is (&ory. Good orks cannot be defined as a job, earnin( !ay, or any other reco*!ense. Good orks are done ithout thou(ht of co*!ensation. <. Grace is eDua&&y (i)en to a&&. This is because a&& !eo!&e >startin( ith Ada* and @)e? ha)e sinned, and are under conde*nation. The sentence is death. A&& fa&& short. Thus, any c&ai* that hu*an *erit has )a&ue is irre&e)ant. On the other hand, re ards are a& ays and on&y that hich is *erited by faithfu& ser)ice, based on orks. C. Grace cannot be connected ith barter or trade. Grace treats a !erson accordin( to neither hat they deser)e, or better than they deser)e. Grace sa)es in e)ery and any case. The b&essin(s are inc&uded eDua&&y to e)ery indi)idua& ithout *easure a&& that God can do in 4is eB!ressin( 4is infinite &o)e. 3. Grace is not connected ith God direct&y for(i)in( sins of the unsa)ed. 4is (race is a& ays and on&y throu(h the cross of "hrist. 4e took u!on 4i*se&f >"hrist? the undi*inished ri(hteous jud(*ents of God a(ainst sin. The debt of sin as !aid by "hrist.

C A Study on Grace 9 Lesson == continued This judicia& for(i)eness is fina&. The indi)idua& has unchan(eab&e standin( and !osition in GodFs fa*i&y as 4is chi&d. 7or(i)eness to ard 4is sinnin( chi&d is and re*ains ithin the fa*i&y re&ationshi!, hen the chi&d confesses to 4i*, fe&&o shi! and joy is restored to 4is chi&d. The chi&d i&& ne)er be conde*ned. A&& sins, !ast, !resent, and future, are !ardoned fore)er in "hrist. GodFs i*!artin( and besto in( 4is b&essin(s are i**ediate acts of (race. 0. Grace is not !art of GodFs dea&in( ith the sins of the sa)ed. Grace as besto ed by God u!on the sin(&e condition of faith in "hrist. The sa)ed chi&d of God i&& be for(i)en and c&eansed on the so&e condition of confession. Grace and sa&)ation brin( the indi)idua& into union ith God throu(h reconci&iation ith "hrist. The restoration of the sa)ed is unto co**union ith God. = John #-# 9 %-%. +ead the )erses on&ine , .bart&eby.co*.#68.3%.#.ht*& The centra& )erse , = John #-$. =f e confess our sins, he is faithfu& and just to for(i)e us our sins, and to c&eanse us fro* a&& unri(hteousness. The re&ationshi! bet een 7ather and chi&d i&& ne)er be set aside. The 7ather *ay correct and chasten 4is errin( chi&d. This as a&so *ade !ossib&e throu(h the sheddin( of b&ood of GodFs o n Son. The Di)ine *inistry in three !arts#. God sa)es sinners by (race. %. God kee!s those ho are sa)ed by (race. 5. God teaches the sa)ed and the ke!t ho they are to &i)e unto (ood orks to 4is eterna& (&ory by (race.

3 A Study on Grace 9 Lesson == continued Grace 9 "ha!ter %. Sa&)ation by Grace. God as taBed &ess in the !o er and resources of the creation of the *ateria& uni)erse, than in the !ro)ision of sa&)ation of hu*an bein(s. =n sa&)ation, 4e s!ared not 4is o n Son. 7our as!ects of 4is sa)in( (race#. Three Di)ine *oti)es fro* &east to (reatest. 7irst. We are sa)ed unto (ood orks >@!hesians %-#6?. Our sa&)ation be(ins throu(h the Fne birthF, by the S!irit of God. This ne creation is or(anica&&y and s!iritua&&y connected to "hrist as a branch in the )ine, a *e*ber of the hu*an body is FinF the body, as a be&ie)er is in "hrist, joined to(ether, no and fore)er. 2ein( joined to 4i* has redee*ed and freed us fro* the bonda(e of sin to be Eea&ous of (ood orks. This is not to earn anythin(, but in reco(nition, (ratitude and &o)e for hat God has done for us in "hrist Jesus, our Lord and Sa)ior, throu(h 4is (race, fore)er. This is an ob&i(ation, to a&k orthi&y. True sa&)ation shou&d be sho n by a chan(e in the beha)ior and con)ersation of that !erson. These are rooted in the conscience as a reconci&ed re&ationshi! ith God throu(h 4is (race. This can be defined as the obedience of faith. To &i)e other ise is the o!!ositethe disobedience of unbe&ief. Obedience *ust ne)er be considered first or a&one as GodFs *oti)e to sa)e *en. Second. John 5-#3 , #3 A 7or God so &o)ed the or&d, that he (a)e his on&y be(otten Son, that hosoe)er be&ie)eth in hi* shou&d not !erish, but ha)e e)er&astin( &ife. This *oti)e shou&d ne)er be taken a&one or first. This *oti)e centers on on&y the as!ect of the hu*an ad)anta(e and benefit in sa&)ation. Third. The fina&, su!re*e *oti)e of God in the sa&)ation of *en is for the sho in( forth of 4is Grace in 4is kindness to ard us throu(h "hrist Jesus >see @!hesians %-0?. This sa&)ation is described as those dead in tres!asses and sins are raised, *ade a&i)e, to sit to(ether in hea)en&y !&aces in "hrist Jesus. The unsa)ed ha)e no ho!e and are ithout God in the or&d. A&& other bein(s of inte&&i(ence i&& kno the de!th of sin and ho!e&ess situation of the &ost. The sa)ed i&& be obser)ed as no a!!earin( in the hi(hest (&ory 9 &ike "hrist. This transfor*ation de*onstrates the eBceedin( riches of 4is (race. 7ro* the death of "hrist to 4is return, there ha)e been centuries of hu*an stru((&e. ;othin( that !eo!&e ha)e co*e u! ith

0 A Study on Grace 9 Lesson == continued can, ha)e, or i&& so&)e the !rob&e*s of hu*an nature and the resu&tin( sins. On&y GodFs !ro)ision in "hrist is sufficient. 2ut the or&d&y are b&ind, and in darkness, be&ie)in( that the inte&&i(ence and !o er of !eo!&e can so*eho i*!ro)e and !ro)ide a better society. This history that *an kee!s recordin( inc&udes the *u&titudes of !eo!&e that had the ans er and tried to !ut it into !ractice. The stru((&e continues. The hu*an nature of *an continues to ru&e. GodFs !ur!ose is to (ather a&& the redee*ed of this a(e. The "hurch bein( the *anifo&d isdo* of God, the eterna& !ur!ose in "hrist Jesus our Lord >see @!hesians 5-$,##?. The !ur!ose of e)ery indi)idua& !art of "hristFs body >the "hurch? is to *ake increase of the body >see @!hesians <-#3?. Gnti& the ti*es of the Genti&es is co*!&ete.

8 A Study on Grace 9 Lesson === Grace cha!ter %, continued. The !ur!ose of God sho s forth the eBceedin( riches of 4is (race. =t (oes far beyond the boundaries of this a(e and inc&udes the ho&e of creation, the !reser)ation, and consu**ation of the uni)erse. "hrist is the center, cause, !ur!ose and benefactor of a&& creation. "o&ossians #-#3,#0. #3 for by hi* ere a&& thin(s created, that are in hea)en, and that are in earth, )isib&e and in)isib&e, hether they be thrones, or do*inions, or !rinci!a&ities, or !o ers- a&& thin(s ere created by hi*, and for hi*#0 and he is before a&& thin(s, and by hi* a&& thin(s consistThrou(h the b&ood of 4is cross, 4e is to reconci&e a&& thin(s unto 4i*se&f. 4e as the La*b s&ain fro* the foundation of the or&d. The (ood orks of the redee*ed !roc&ai* the Gos!e& of GodFs sa)in( (race. G&ory i&& be (i)en to the Lord for 4is a&&,sur!assin( &o)e. This fro* 4is incarnation as a hu*an, a ser)ant, hu*b&e, obedient unto e)en death on the cross. God then hi(h&y eBa&ted 4i*, 4is ;a*e abo)e e)ery na*e in a&& of creation. 1hi&i!!ians %-3,##. 3 ho, bein( in the for* of God, thou(ht it not robbery to be eDua& ith God0 but *ade hi*se&f of no re!utation, and took u!on hi* the for* of a ser)ant, and as *ade in the &ikeness of *en8 and bein( found in fashion as a *an, he hu*b&ed hi*se&f, and beca*e obedient unto death, e)en the death of the cross. $ Wherefore God a&so hath hi(h&y eBa&ted hi*, and (i)en hi* a na*e hich is abo)e e)ery na*e#6 that at the na*e of Jesus e)ery knee shou&d bo , of thin(s in hea)en, and thin(s in earth, and thin(s under the earthH ## and that e)ery ton(ue shou&d confess that Jesus "hrist is Lord, to the (&ory of God the 7ather. 4ebre s #-%,5. % hath in these &ast days s!oken unto us by his Son, ho* he hath a!!ointed heir of a&& thin(s, by ho* a&so he *ade the or&dsH 5 ho bein( the bri(htness of his (&ory, and the eB!ress i*a(e of his !erson, and u!ho&din( a&& thin(s by the ord of his !o er, hen he had by hi*se&f !ur(ed our sins, sat do n on the ri(ht hand of the 'ajesty on hi(hH

$ A Study on Grace 9 Lesson === continued The co*!&ete sho in( forth >*anifestation? of di)ine (race i&& be re)ea&ed hen "hrist is to(ether ith 4is transfor*ed body >the "hurch? in 4ea)en. The res!onse- 4is eBceedin( joy >see Jude #-%<?. A&& in the !resent a(e are under sin and unbe&ief, eDua&&y disobedient and (ui&ty before God. A&& are therefore under di)ine conde*nation. 2ut since "hrist !aid the !rice by 4is substitutionary death for a&& *enFs sins, conde*nation re*ains on&y for those that reject the Sa)ior. John 5-#8 , #8 4e that be&ie)eth on hi* is not conde*ned- but he that be&ie)eth not is conde*ned a&ready, because he hath not be&ie)ed in the na*e of the on&y be(otten Son of God. On&y hen any and a&& hu*an *erit is re*o)ed fro* consideration, does di)ine (race o!erate unto sa&)ation. =t inc&udes a&& that God can do for a hu*an bein( in ti*e, into eternity. Jesus !rayed >John #0-%<?- 7ather, = i&& that they a&so, ho* thou hast (i)en *e, be ith *e here = a*H that they *ay beho&d *y (&ory, hich thou hast (i)en *e- for thou &o)edst *e before the foundation of the or&d. The eBtre*e o!!osite of the sa)ed are the &ost- conde*ned, doo*ed to death, and he&&, (ui&ty sinners, rejectors of "hrist and 4is Gos!e&. GodFs (race cannot be added to any hu*an effort or ork. 7or by (race are ye sa)ed throu(h faithH and that not of yourse&)es- it is the (ift of God- not of orks, &est any *an shou&d boast. >@!hesians %-8,$.? 4u*an &an(ua(e is too &i*ited to describe or !icture the &i*it&ess *easure of this (race. @Ba*!&esJohn #-#3 9 (race added to or hea!ed u!on (race. +o*ans C-#0 9 (race did F*uch *ore aboundF >su!er,abound?. == "orinthians $-#< 9 the eBceedin( >unab&e to *easure? (race of God in you. == "orinthians <-#C 9 the abundant >o)erf&o in(? (race. The source is GodFs &o)e as eB!ressed is un&i*ited f&o in( forth infinite and eterna& in 4is (race. 0 'ajor As!ects of GodFs 1ro)ision for 'an. #.? The finished ork of "hrist, the Gos!e& of sa)in( (race offered to the ho&e or&d &ost in sin. >See = Ti*othy %-3H == "orinthians C-#$,%6H = John %-#,%.?

#6 A Study on Grace 9 Lesson === continued %.? The con)ictin( ork of the 4o&y S!irit. The Gos!e& is i&&u*inated in the *ind and heart of the unsa)ed. 4e con)inces of sin, ri(hteousness, and jud(*ent. >John #3-0,##.? On&y in this *anner can the b&ind and dark sou& be &ed into the (&orious &i(ht of "hrist >== "orinthians <-5,<?. 5.? The *o*ent of be&ief is the !oint of the Sa)in( Work of God bein( acco*!&ished in that instant. 2ein( born a(ain, the S!irit ind e&&in( fu&& of &o)e and &i(ht, !eace and joy ithout *easure. <.? The Iee!in( Work of God. @ndurance and !erse)erance are !ro)ided by GodFs !resence, (uidance, and !o er. >'atthe %<-#5H John #6-%8.? C.? De&i)erance fro* the !o er of sin is GodFs !ro)ision for the sa)ed by the ind e&&in( 4o&y S!irit. This = say then, Wa&k in the S!irit, and ye sha&& not fu&fi& the &ust of the f&esh. >Ga&atians C-#3.? 3.? "hristian Gro th- the ork of God. On&y s!iritua& "hristians (ro . To re*ain carna& is to c&in( to FbabyhoodF in s!iritua&ity. 4o to (ro - 2ut (ro in (race, and in the kno &ed(e of our Lord and Sa)iour Jesus "hrist... >== 1eter 5-#8.? This is a !ath and !rocess of readin( and study of the Word of God, !rayer and co**union ith God and Jesus, asse*b&in( ith other be&ie)ers for (ro th, and !raise, reachin( out to others ith faith, &o)e, and so forth. 0.? The ork of God in the fina& !resentation. The be&ie)ers i&& be confor*ed to the i*a(e of the Son of God before the !resence of 4is (&ory to 4is eBceedin( joy. The so)erei(nty of God in Sa&)ation. God enab&es the hu*an heart to be dra n to the Gos!e&. John 3-<< , ;o *an can co*e to *e, eBce!t the 7ather hich hath sent *e dra hi*- and = i&& raise hi* u! at the &ast day. A&so God *o)es the heart of the sa)ed. 1hi&e*on %-#5 , for it is God hich orketh in you both to i&& and to do of his (ood !&easure. God cannot be sur!rised, disa!!ointed, or in any detai& be defeated because of an unantici!ated action of hu*an free i&&. The offer of sa&)ation is to a&& !eo!&e as a (ift of &o)e. At the sa*e ti*e, God has !er*itted hu*an &ife that 4e kno s i&& reject 4is !ro)isions of (race. GodFs &o)e is bound&ess, but Whose ri(hteousness de*ands justice, and it can ne)er be di*inished. The Gos!e& of (race *ust be !reached !ure&y. There *ust be no &i*itations because of anythin( a !erson can do to di*inish it, nor conditions of a hu*an ob&i(ation or earned *erit. To !er)ert the

## A Study on Grace 9 Lesson === continued Gos!e& in any ay, unre)okab&e anathe*a is !ronounced u!on that !erson >see Ga&atians #-8,$?. The Word of God is the bread of &ife to those ho be&ie)e- it is the Truth. =t sho s the True Way. =t i*!arts the True Way of Life in "hrist Jesus our Lord, both no and fore)er*ore. Thus the &o)e of God sho n forth by 4is (race in !ro)idin( for(i)eness and eterna& &ife ith 4i* in the Gos!e& of 4is Son.

#% A Study on Grace 9 Lesson =: Grace, cha!ter 5. Safekee!in( in Grace. +o*ans C-% , by ho* a&so e ha)e access by faith into this (race herein e stand, and rejoice in ho!e of the (&ory of God. >See a&so = 1eter C-#%.? This ord a&so eB!resses the condition of continuin( and endurin(. To stay, ithout chan(in(, as standin(. This is the ork of God, throu(h the !o er of the ind e&&in( 4o&y S!irit. 4u*an effort or abi&ity has no !o er to attain the standin( of sa&)ation than it has the abi&ity to *aintain it >a ri(ht standin(? before God. GodFs sa)in( *inistry of (race inc&udes and (uarantees 4is kee!in( *inistry of (race. So*e theo&o(ica& syste*s. They describe the kee!in( of sa&)ation as bein( conditioned on hu*an effort or orks. On&y hi&e and if you are F(oodF enou(h do you stay sa)ed. This be&ief *akes it i*!ossib&e to (ro in understandin( and *aturity concernin( the certainty of GodFs kee!in( !o er fro* the *o*ent of sa&)ation into the eterna& state. To utter&y refute the ron( syste*, *ore detai& i&& sho c&ear&y the kee!in( !o er of God. A&& !rinci!&es of (race inc&ude GodFs kee!in( !o er, and that continues into the ti*e of its consu**ation, yet to co*e. God has !ro)ided *any safe(uards to that end. ;o here in Scri!ture is there a se!aration of GodFs kee!in( !o er fro* (race, nor a &ack of its inc&usion in a&& considerations of GodFs (race. There is no sin of a "hristian that is not co)ered by "hristFs death on the cross. God does safe(uard "hristians fro* !racticin( sin. 4e chastens hen needed as a ri(hteous 7ather does. Does sin Funsa)eF the be&ie)erJ Scri!ture >es!ecia&&y the @!ist&es? dea& ith "hristians, a&& of ho* do sin. "hristians are not conde*ned for these sins. 4u*an eB!erience testifies that "hristians do re*ain sa)ed in s!ite of i*!erfections and sin. The fact is that "hristians are not &ost hen they sin, nor sin&ess hen they re*ain sa)ed. They are ke!t by the !o er of God. ;o "hristian re*ains standin( based u!on their (ood orks out ei(hin( their eaknesses or sins. God is !&eased to kee! 4is chi&d throu(h 4is continua& &o)e and (race. =t is GodFs su!re*e !ur!ose to !reser)e 4is chi&dren fore)er. This i&& not be rea&iEed unto the sa)ed sinner is transfor*ed into the i*a(e of "hrist and u!&ifted. Sa&)ation throu(h "hrist inc&udes e)ery *o*ent fro* the first of faith, e)ery ste! of the ay to the *o*ent of consu**ation. 1hi&e*on #-3- bein( confident of this )ery thin(, that he hich hath be(un a (ood ork in you i&& !erfor* it unti& the day of Jesus "hrist-. The be&ie)er sha&& ha)e e)er&astin( &ife >John 5-#3 end?. There is on&y one condition- be&ief. ;o condition re&ated to ti*e or *erit to recei)e hat is (i)en hich a&so does not inc&ude any &i*it of ti*e or because of *erit or &ack of it.

#5 A Study on Grace 9 Lesson =: continued GodFs !ro)isions- 4is su!re*e !o er kee!s 4is o n unto 4is eterna& !ur!oses. =n +o*ans 8-58,5$ 1au& eB!resses the obser)ation that nothin( in the natura& or&d, s!iritua& or&d, neither death nor &ife, or any other creature can se!arate us fro* the &o)e of God, hich is in "hrist Jesus our Lord. This ob)ious&y inc&udes a&& !ast sins, !resent sins, or future sins as not e)en considered. God is ab&e >has the !o er? to do eBceedin( abundant&y abo)e a&& that e ask or think >@!hesians 5-%6?. We cannot e)en i*a(ine the eBtent or di*ension of hat is !ossib&e to God. 4ebre s 0-%C , 4e is ab&e to sa)e the* to the utter*ost. 1au& rote in +o*ans <-%# , and bein( fu&&y !ersuaded, that hat he had !ro*ised, he as ab&e a&so to !erfor*. GodFs eterna& !ur!ose, 4is &o)e as the su!re*e *oti)e, is a&so eterna&. God sho ed 4is &o)e for us, that hi&e e ere yet sinners, 4e sent 4is Son to die for us. Throu(h the Li)in( "hrist e are sa)ed for eternity. This is an unchan(eab&e !osition and re&ationshi!, therefore eterna&. Jesus s!oke of those God has (i)en 4i*, none of the* as &ost. 4e !rays for the* to re*ain united ith 4i* and the father, to kee! the* fro* the e)i&. 4e a&so !rays for those that sha&& be&ie)e on 4i* throu(h their itness, !reachin(, teachin(, bearin( itness, by their &i)es and ritin(s- they sha&& be&ie)e on *e throu(h their ord. Let us read so*e re&ated )erses fro* the Gos!e& accordin( to John, cha!ter #0. $ = !ray for the*- = !ray not for the or&d, but for the* hich thou hast (i)en *eH for they are thine. #6 And a&& *ine are thine, and thine are *ineH and = a* (&orified in the*. ## And no = a* no *ore in the or&d, but these are in the or&d, and = co*e to thee. 4o&y 7ather, kee! throu(h thine o n na*e those ho* thou hast (i)en *e, that they *ay be one, as e are. #% Whi&e = as ith the* in the or&d, = ke!t the* in thy na*ethose that thou (a)est *e = ha)e ke!t, and none of the* is &ost, but the son of !erditionH that the Scri!ture *i(ht be fu&fi&&ed. #C = !ray not that thou shou&dest take the* out of the or&d, but that thou shou&dest kee! the* fro* the e)i&. %6 A ;either !ray = for these a&one, but for the* a&so hich sha&& be&ie)e on *e throu(h their ordH

#< A Study on Grace 9 Lesson =: continued ;one of those e)er sa)ed i&& be &ost for so has "hrist continued to !ray for us in hea)en. 4ebre s 0-%C , Wherefore he is ab&e a&so to sa)e the* to the utter*ost that co*e unto God by hi*, seein( he e)er &i)eth to *ake intercession for the*. "hristFs !rayer is effectua&, a& ays, and continua&, a& ays, This fact contains our eterna& security as chi&dren of God in "hrist. The Substitutionary Death of "hrist. +o*ans 8-# , There is therefore no no conde*nation to the* hich are in "hrist Jesus, ho a&k not after the f&esh, but after the S!irit. The +esurrection of the Son of God. @)ery be&ie)er !artakes of the resurrection &ife of the Son of God. =t is the (ift of God, the ho!e of the (&ory. John #6-%8 records Jesus as sayin(, and = (i)e unto the* eterna& &ifeH and they sha&& ne)er !erish, neither sha&& any *an !&uck the* out of *y hand. This is abso&ute security. The 1resent Ad)ocacy of "hrist. This is for a&& those sa)ed by (race. 4ebre s $-%< , 7or "hrist is not entered into the ho&y !&aces *ade ith hands, hich are the fi(ures of the trueH but into hea)en itse&f, no to a!!ear in the !resence of God for us... "hrist intercedes for us as the Great She!herd of 4is f&ock. 4e (uards their !ath a(ainst the snares of the e)i& one, in the !&easant ays of 4is (race and b&essin( and !eace. "hrist as 4i(h 1riest continues fore)er. 4ebre s 0-%5,%C , %5 A And they tru&y ere *any !riests, because they ere not suffered to continue by reason of death%< but this *an, because he continueth e)er, hath an unchan(eab&e !riesthood. %C Wherefore he is ab&e a&so to sa)e the* to the utter*ost that co*e unto God by hi*, seein( he e)er &i)eth to *ake intercession for the*. 7ro* the %5rd 1sa&*- The LO+D is *y she!herdH = sha&& not The +e(eneration by the 4o&y S!irit. 2orn of God, no God, joint,heir ith "hrist. ant.

a chi&d of

#C A Study on Grace 9 Lesson =: continued Let us read re&ated )erses , John #-#5 #5 hich ere born, not of b&ood, nor of the of the i&& of *an, but of God. John 5-5,3 55 4e that hath recei)ed his testi*ony hath set to his sea& that God is true. 5< 7or he ho* God hath sent s!eaketh the ords of God- for God (i)eth not the S!irit by *easure unto hi*. 5C The 7ather &o)eth the Son, and hath (i)en a&& thin(s into his hand. 53 4e that be&ie)eth on the Son hath e)er&astin( &ife- and he that be&ie)eth not the Son sha&& not see &ifeH but the rath of God abideth on hi*. Titus 5-<,3 < 2ut after that the kindness and &o)e of God our Sa)iour to ard *an a!!eared, C not by orks of ri(hteousness hich e ha)e done, but accordin( to his *ercy he sa)ed us, by the ashin( of re(eneration, and rene in( of the 4o&y GhostH 3 hich he shed on us abundant&y throu(h Jesus "hrist our Sa)iourH The =nd e&&in( S!irit 9 see John 0-50,5$H +o*ans C-C, 8-$H = "orinthians %-#%, 3-#$H = John 5-%<. The stayin( >abidin(? is eterna&. >John #<-#3.? The be&ie)er *ay (rie)e and resist >Duench? the S!irit but no Scri!ture says it is e)en !ossib&e for the S!irit to be !ushed out or a ay. The ba!tis* ith the S!irit 9 see = "orinthians #%-#5. This *ay be understood as or(anic union ith "hrist as a branch, (rafted into the &ife union ith the )ine. =n "hrist, the be&ie)er shares in the i*!uted ri(hteousness before the 7ather. This has been described as the hite robe re!resentin( faith in "hrist hich *akes us ri(hteous before God >+o*ans 5-%%?. Thus the ba!tis* ith the S!irit is once and for a&& a union ith "hrist. The Sea&in( ith the S!irit. 'entioned on&y 5 ti*es in the ;e Testa*ent >== "orinthians #-%%? ith the 4o&y S!irit of !ro*ise >@!hesians #-#5H @!hesians <-56? unto the day of rede*!tion. This ends the !ossibi&ity of any chan(e. i&& of the f&esh, nor

#3 A Study on Grace 9 Lesson =: continued The ;e "o)enant in "hristFs 2&ood. There are t o ty!es of "o)enants. One is conditiona&, of hich any !oint i&& de!end on the faithfu&ness of *an. The other is unconditiona&, hich consists entire&y of GodFs dec&aration of hat 4e !ur!oses to do. The La of 'oses as a conditiona& co)enant. =f the !eo!&e fo&&o ed the La , God ou&d b&ess the*. The "o)enant ith Abraha* is an unconditiona& one. God dec&ared to Abraha* hat 4e !ur!osed to do. The ;e "o)enant is GodFs dec&aration of hat 4e !ur!osed to do for e)eryone that !&aces their faith in the finished ork of "hrist on the "ross. So a&so the (reat !ro*ises of the kee!in( of God throu(h (race are unconditiona&. They are in no ise de!endent on any !oint u!on the (oodness or faithfu&ness of the be&ie)er. The &ife of the be&ie)er is to be unto (ood orks to the (&ory of God. This is described as bearin( (ood fruit. These orks (o under jud(*ent on&y for re ards. God sa)es !erfect&y, for a&& ti*e and eternity. As God has s!oken, so sha&& 4e brin( it to !ass. A*en.

#0 A Study on Grace 9 Lesson : Grace, cha!ter <. Life Gnder Grace and La . GodFs sa&)ation in (race !&aces the be&ie)er as a son of God, a *e*ber of the fa*i&y and househo&d of God, a citiEen of hea)en. A ne *anner of &ife, ru&es of conduct, *ust corres!ond to this ne standin(. This ru&e of &ife for the be&ie)er is co*!&ete in itse&f and has no re&ation to any other !ast co)enants and conditions of conduct. To atte*!t to !&ease God ithout kno &ed(e of the re)ea&ed i&& of God concernin( dai&y &ife ou&d be !oint&ess. =(norance has sho n itse&f in the ro&e of &e(a&iEers and their teachin(s. They in effect are discreditin( GodFs (race. Whether Eea&ous or sincere, their efforts are ron(, *is(uided and *is&eadin(. Section =. +u&e of Life under Grace. Titus %-##,#<. ## A 7or the (race of God that brin(eth sa&)ation hath a!!eared to a&& *en, #% teachin( us that, denyin( un(od&iness and or&d&y &usts, e shou&d &i)e sober&y, ri(hteous&y, and (od&y, in this !resent or&dH #5 &ookin( for that b&essed ho!e, and the (&orious a!!earin( of the (reat God and our Sa)iour Jesus "hristH #< ho (a)e hi*se&f for us, that he *i(ht redee* us fro* a&& iniDuity, and !urify unto hi*se&f a !ecu&iar !eo!&e, Eea&ous of (ood orks. See a&so 1sa&*s #56-8H @Bodus #$-CH Deuterono*y <-%6, 0-3, #<-%, %3-#8H = 1eter %-$. GodFs (race has been sho n unto a&& *en in the Gos!e&. =t is to be continua&&y !roc&ai*ed to a&&. The in)itation is hosoe)er i&&. The teachin(s about conduct on&y a!!&y to be&ie)ers. God in no ise seeks to Frefor*F or ca&& the* to be *ora& that are not sa)ed. T o eBtre*es are to be a)oided. #.? To be irres!onsib&e and care&ess, hich is sin. %.? To address the burden of &a , earnin( !iety and se&f, ri(hteousness. The &ife and *inistry of 1au& i&&ustrates a &ife &i)ed under (race.

#8 A Study on Grace 9 Lesson : continued Dai&y &ife is to be directed by the teachin(s of (race. They ca&& for honesty, fairness, !urity, beauty, !ositi)ity, and u!bui&din(. Think on these thin(s and then act accordin(&y. This is hat 1au& ca&&s u!on be&ie)ers to do, kee!in( his teachin(s and his &ife as an eBa*!&e, ith the !ro*ise , and the God of !eace sha&& be ith you. >See 1hi&i!!ians <-8,$.? The (uide- faith hich orketh by &o)e. >See Ga&atians C-3.? "hristFs &ife and teachin( had t o *ajor as!ects, as a Je , the 4o!e of =srae&. 4e ke!t, tau(ht, enforced, and fu&fi&&ed the &a . As sa)ior of the or&d, 4e estab&ished the ne *anner of re&ationshi! and dai&y &i)in( for the be&ie)er under (race. 'any !assa(es in the ;e Testa*ent *ention the co**and*ents of "hrist. >John #<-#C,%#H #C-#6H = John %-5, 5-%%,%<, C-%H 'atthe %8-%6H +e)e&ation %%-#<?. These ere not s!oken to the Je s in 4is !ub&ic *inistry 9 on&y the 'osaic La . 4is co**and*ents a& ays and on&y re&ate to those sa)ed by (race in a ne &ife,re&ationshi! to God. 'y co**and*ents a& ays refers to the teachin(s of (race. @Ba*!&e- A ne co**and*ent = (i)e unto you, that ye &o)e one anotherH as = ha)e &o)ed you. 1au& tau(ht, 2ear ye one anotherFs burdens and so fu&fi&& the &a of "hrist. >John #5-5<H = John 5-%5H == John <-CH = "orinthians #<-50H = Thessa&onians <-%H Ga&atians 3-%.? Any ho ou&d fo&&o the 'osaic La are !&acin( the*se&)es as &e(a&ists, to try to earn their o n sa&)ation and be !roud of it. =n this they are in effect denyin( that "hrist a&ready fu&fi&&ed that La and !aid the !rice for their sa&)ation by (race. The !ersona& eB!erience of 1au& is an i&&ustration of GodFs (race and its teachin(s. The Teachin(s of the La . A&& di)ine &a is the eB!ression of hat God is- ho&y, just, and (ood. To conte*!&ate the or&d of hu*an sin sho s the )ast (u&f bet een the t o. =t a&so brin(s out the )ast co*!assion of God in brid(in( that (u&f. La is (enera&&y a ru&e of conduct. =t i*!&ies authority and !o er of the &a ,(i)er for enforce*ent and !ena&ty reDuired. The Word of God uses the ord F&a F in 0 ays. The #6 co**and*ents are uniDue, ritten in stone by the fin(er of God. They e!ito*iEe the entire &a (i)en to 'oses. "hrist su**ariEed it further- &o)e the Lord thy God, &o)e they nei(hbor as thyse&f. When "hrist fu&fi&&ed the &a , the #6 "o**and*ents ceased bein( the ru&e of conduct. Their !rinci!&es are stated in the ru&es of conduct under (race.

#$ A Study on Grace 9 Lesson : continued The La as the @ntire Syste* of Go)ern*ent for =srae& in the Land. The #6 "o**and*ents ere the center. The Jud(*ents ere to re(u&ate the socia& &ife of =srae& >@Bodus %#-#,%<-##?. The Ordinances ere to re(u&ate the re&i(ious &ife of =srae& >@Bodus %<-#%,5#-#8?. They ere interre&ated and interde!endent. =nstruction on the (ood, !rohibition a(ainst hat is e)i&. 1rescribed sacrifices re*edied the ron( co**itted. The fina& and fu&fi&&in( sacrifice of the cross *et e)ery de*and of the &a , fore)er. The 'i&&ennia& +ei(n of "hrist i&& fu&fi&& the co)enants ith =srae&. 4e i&& ru&e ith an iron rod of !ure &a . The "o)enant of Works to be rou(ht in the @ner(y of the 7&esh for indi)idua& or nature. Di)ine b&essin( as conditioned on the !erfor*ance of the entire &a of God. =n the ne co)enant of (race, the di)ine b&essin( is besto ed first, creatin( an ob&i(ation for a &ife corres!ondin( to that di)ine b&essin(. To ork to (et di)ine fa)or is as under !ure &a . Sho in( (ratitude for b&essin( a&ready recei)ed is in har*ony ith !ure (race. The hi(h ca&&in( of the be&ie)er antici!ates the ind e&&in( !o er of the 4o&y S!irit for fu&fi&&*ent. The ri(hteousness of the &a is to be fi&&ed FinF us, not FbyF us. =t takes !&ace in those ho a&k not after the f&esh but after the S!irit. To ork, as if a "hristian, to !&ease God in the !o er of the f&esh is to take on a yoke of bonda(e. Any ru&e of conduct !rescribed by *an. 'anFs &a s are *ade for the un(od&y and sinners. +e&i(ious !eo!&e &i)in( in a society *ay choose the fo&&o the *an,*ade &a s as a socia& ob&i(ation. La as describin( F&a of natureF is ta&kin( about reco(niEed !o er at ork- (ra)ity, sin, and death, and the S!irit of &ife in "hrist Jesus, hich frees the be&ie)er fro* the &a >or !o er? of sin and death. "ause and @ffect- +o*ans 0-%# 9 hen 1au& ou&d do (ood, e)i& is !resent in hi*. Since the ord F&a F is used in this )ariety of situations in ide&y different a!!&ications, its use *ust be understood in each conteBt. =n the be(innin( >bet een Ada* and 'oses?. 2y Ada*, sin entered the or&d, and death by sin. A&& ha)e sinned and a&& i&& die as a(es of their indi)idua& sin. >See +o*ans 5-%#,C-##.? "hrist a&so died Funto sinF, the basis u!on hich the rei(nin( !o er of the sin, nature is di)ine&y o)erco*e. >+o*ans 3-#,8-<.? The !oint of the La . Sin as a& ays e)i& in and of itse&f, and in the si(ht of God. =t on&y beca*e disobedience after the 4o&y "o**and*ents ere (i)en to *an. The character of !ersona& ron(doin( beco*es rebe&&ion and disobedience a(ainst GodFs !rescribed "o**ands. The !unish*ent of the &a bein( broken *ust be carried out.

%6 A Study on Grace 9 Lesson : continued =srae& as (i)en these Di)ine "o**and*ents to set it a!art as a chosen and *ost res!onsib&e !eo!&e before God. Ob)ious&y, they ere unab&e to kee! the &a . The &a , in this *anner, !ro)ed their he&!&essness and sinfu&ness. The &a then !ronounced conde*nation u!on a&& trans(ressors, hich ere a&& the !eo!&e. +ather than *akin( !eo!&e better or *ore ri(hteous, the &a as taken as a re*inder of sins 9 and they had so far ne(&ected !ractice of the &a . >+o*ans 0-8.? The &a , in this sense, !ro)ided the *easure of a&& that is ho&y, just, and (ood. "ontrasted to that are the sins and sinfu& nature of *an- *ade irrefutab&e and c&ear. A&& !eo!&e are forced to face that truth- a&& are sinners, a&& ha)e sinned. A&& therefore need a sa)ior fro* its !ena&ty of death. A&& !eo!&e shou&d be ab&e to see and understand that they had no chance to fu&fi&& the &a . So hy ou&d they then ant to try to fo&&o the &a ith their ob)ious and utter inabi&ity to do so Fin the f&eshFJ The &a as not (i)en as a ay of sa&)ation, but as the c&ear state*ent of sin. >+o*ans 5-%6H Ga&atians 5-##,%<.? As the ru&e of conduct for =srae& in the &and, the !eo!&e fai&ed and ou&d suffer the conseDuences of curse, conde*nation, and death. =t as a *eans of turnin( the !eo!&e to God for *ercy. This 4e !ro)ided in "hrist. The &a is a Fschoo&*asterF, a trainer to brin( the sinner to "hrist. A&& the sin offerin(s ere to !oint to the co*in( effectua& offerin( of "hrist. The La as fu&fi&&ed and co*!&eted in its function by "hristFs sacrificia& death. The rei(n of the La as fro* 't. Sinai and 'oses to "hrist, about #C66 years. G! unti& the ti*e of the !eo!&eFs takin( the &a u!on the*se&)es, they had been under GodFs (race, 4is b&essin(s, !rotection, and de&i)erance fro* their o!!ressors in @(y!t. 4ere God as (i)in( the* a choice- to re*ain under (race or takin( u!on the*se&)es the La as a syste* of orks, that by their o n efforts they ou&d earn GodFs b&essin(s, !rotection, and de&i)erance. =n thinkin( they cou&d !erfor* !erfect obedience, they de&uded the*se&)es as a&& others in e)ery ti*e !eriod, e)en in the !resent day, that they ha)e the !erce!tion of the truth, and understand hat orks they need to !&ease God, and earn their ay into hea)en.

%# A Study on Grace 9 Lesson : Grace, cha!ter <. Section 5. The Iin(do* Teachin(s. The +ei(n of La @nded ith the Death of "hrist. 2e&ie)ers in "hrist are eB!ected >co**anded? to a&k ho&y ith God accordin( to the resources of the ne birth and the ind e&&in( 4o&y S!irit. This is the !ro)ision under (race. The La as (i)en on&y to the chi&dren of =srae&. +o*ans $-<,C , < ho are =srae&itesH to ho* !ertaineth the ado!tion, and the (&ory, and the co)enants, and the (i)in( of the &a , and the ser)ice of God, and the !ro*isesH C hose are the fathers, and of ho* as concernin( the f&esh "hrist ca*e, ho is o)er a&&, God b&essed for e)er. A*en. =t ne)er a!!&ied to Genti&es. =f they a!!&y it to the*se&)es, it has no di)ine authority and cannot be considered a co)enant ith God, and a co)enant of orks to !&ease 4i*. They i*!ose it on the*se&)es as ru&es of conduct for safety, order, and !eace of a !o!u&ation. Accordin( to the Scri!tures, a&& ti*e of creation is di)ided into 0 !eriods. The 2ib&eFs *ajor !ortion re&ates to 5 !eriods- fro* @Bodus #$ to +e)e&ation %6. These 5 a(es are 9 #. of the &a of 'oses >Sinai to "a&)ary?H %. of the kin(do*, hen "hrist returns to earth as Iin( >#,666 years?H 5. of the brin(in( in of the eterna& state 9 ne hea)ens and earth for eternity. 7ro* "hristFs death unti& the kin(do* of "hrist is the inter*ediate a(e of (race. The kin(do* of "hrist on earth is !ro*ised and described in the O&d Testa*ent 1sa&*s, and !ro!hecies, and in the ;e Testa*ent. 2oth are essentia&&y &e(a&. Those of the Iin(do* (o far beyond the reDuire*ents of the 'osaic La . The Iin(do* &a is *ore se)ere and intensified. The de*ands for !ub&ic, !ri)ate, and e)en the thou(hts to be re(u&ated. This is co*!&ete&y beyond the La of 'oses, hich on&y !unished the out ard act >such as *urder?. =n the kin(do*, an(er is conde*ned. The (&ance of the eye >in &ust? is conde*ned, here on&y adu&tery had been forbidden in the La . The O&d Testa*ent *entions of the 'essiahFs rei(n inc&ude the !ro*ises to =srae& of restored earth&y !ro*inence, the uni)ersa& b&essin(s to Genti&es, and creation >nature? rene ed. The detai&s about indi)idua& res!onsibi&ity ere to be re)ea&ed by the !ersona& teachin( of the Iin( hen the kin(do* ou&d be at hand. The O&d Testa*ent !ro!hecies about "hristFs rei(n- a ri(id rei(n of ri(hteousness, fro* Jerusa&e*, ith s ift jud(*ent u!on the sinner >=saiah %-#,<H ##-#,C?. A ne co)enant ith 4is &a s !ut into their *inds, and ritten on the hearts >Jere*iah 5#-5#,<6H 4ebre s 8-0,#%?.

%% A Study on Grace 9 Lesson : continued The ;e Testa*ent Gos!e&s record "hristFs teachin(s, hich inc&ude the teachin(s of 'oses, the teachin(s of (race, and the *essa(e of the Iin(do* of 4ea)en. @ach Gos!e& features these three teachin(s in a different ay. 'atthe rote to =srae&, about their Iin( and 4is kin(do*. "hrist is introduced as the Son of Da)id, Who i&& brin( the* a throne, a kin(do*, and a Iin(. "hrist as the Son of Abraha* c&oses the Gos!e&. 'ark !resents "hrist as the Ser)ant of Jeho)ah. 'ore of 4is ser)ice than his teachin(, a&*ost co*!&ete&y addressed to =srae&. Luke !resents "hrist in 4is hu*anity. Written to Je s, yet dedicated to estab&ish the truth ith certainty the facts of "hristFs &ife and death fro* the testi*ony of eye, itnesses. John rote to ins!ire be&ief that Jesus is the "hrist, the Son of God, the Word of God. 2ut these are ritten, that ye *i(ht be&ie)e that Jesus is the "hrist, the Son of GodH and that be&ie)in( ye *i(ht ha)e &ife throu(h his na*e. >John %6-5#.? Grace that sa)es. "ha!ters #,#%, the (race of God that sa)esH cha!ters #5,#3, and #$,%# 9 the teachin(s of the (race of God. The (reat ho!e of =srae& hen "hrist ca*e as the 'essiah of Triu*!h to reestab&ish their nationa& !o er and (&ory. John the 2a!tist !roc&ai*ed that the kin(do* of hea)en is at hand >'atthe 5-#,%?, by "hrist >'atthe <-#0?, and 4is disci!&es >'atthe #6-C,0?. This as to be !roc&ai*ed on&y to Je s. The Je s ere so centered on the or&d&y kin(do* !ro*ises, that they had difficu&ty !ercei)in(, understandin(, and acce!tin( the ne rea&ities and teachin( of (race. This as true e)en of the disci!&es and a!ost&es of "hrist. This is c&ear&y sho n by their Duestion to "hrist i**ediate&y before 4is ascension. Acts #-3 , A When they therefore ere co*e to(ether, they asked of hi*, sayin(, Lord, i&t thou at this ti*e restore a(ain the kin(do* to =srae&J The kin(do* of hea)en >in 'atthe ? refers to the ru&e of God in the earth. The kin(do* of God refers to the ho&e uni)erse as GodFs do*ain. The !ro!hets rote on&y concernin( the 'essianic ru&e of God in the earth. The kin(do* of hea)en used by "hrist indicated the !ro*ised kin(do* b&essin(s ere at hand. The nationFs ho!e as centered in the forerunner and the kin(. John the 2a!tist as accounted as fa&se, and beheaded. "hrist as a&so jud(ed and !ut to death. A&& the recorded e)idence as kno n. "hrist as sentenced to death as the Iin( of the Je s. The Je s c&ai*ed no kin( but "aesar. A&& this as foreseen and !ro!hesied in the O&d Testa*ent.

%5 A Study on Grace 9 Lesson : continued The offer of the kin(do* to the Je ish !eo!&e by Jesus as (enuine. =t as not unti& their rejection and 4is death that the Gos!e& of sa&)ation and the for*ation of the "hurch fro* a&& the nations of the earth. "hrist a&so s!oke of the certain fu&fi&&*ent of e)ery !ro*ise to =srae& to the ti*e of 4is Second "o*in( to earth. God kne beforehand the choice that the Je s ou&d *ake in their sin and se&fishness. They ou&d be he&d (ui&ty. =n e)ery dis!ensation, *an is tested for a di)ine !ur!ose. This re!eated&y forces *an to face his o n sinfu&ness, and es!ecia&&y as contrasted ith a ri(hteous, ho&y, and &o)in( God. As has been obser)ed *any ti*es, the O&d Testa*ent recorded t o &ines about the 'essiah- #. the sufferin( ser)ant, his sacrificia& death >1sa&*s %%H =saiah C5?, and %. the triu*!hant undyin( Iin( and Iin(do*. The ti*e e&e*ent as not disc&osed to these !ro!hets. As =srae& rejected "hrist, the !resent a(e of (race and its !ur!ose be(an and continues. The re*ainin( unfu&fi&&ed !ro!hecies of the O&d Testa*ent are not set aside or for(otten. =n this sense, in 'atthe , the Ser*on on the 'ount is to be understood as the ru&es of the Iin( for 4is kin(do* on earth u!on 4is return. =t *ust be c&ear&y understood that this is in co*!&ete contrast to e)ery feature of the a(e of (race. There is no *ention of (race, sa&)ation, or union of re&ationshi!s a*on( be&ie)ers, the 4o&y S!irit, God the 7ather, and "hrist. "hristFs Fco**and*entsF ere in the *essa(e of (race to 4is disci!&es. John #5-5< , A ne co**and*ent = (i)e unto you, That ye &o)e one anotherH as = ha)e &o)ed you, that ye a&so &o)e one another. The kin(do* of God as before the =srae&ites fro* the !roc&a*ation John announced- the co*in( and then the !resence of the Iin(, Jesus the "hrist. The kin(do* as e*bodied in the )ery !erson of the Iin(, in their *idst. Another as!ect is the in)isib&e out ard as!ect of the ru&e of God ithin the heart of e)ery be&ie)er in "hrist >as the kin( rei(ns fro* hea)en?, but a&so be&ie)in( in the future return of "hrist to earth, accordin( to a&& !ro*ises and !ro!hecies >es!ecia&&y those *ade by "hrist 4i*se&f. When "hrist as rejected, so a&so 4is kin(do*, its rea&iEation !ost!oned unti& 4is return. The different teachin(s of each !eriod *ust be understood and ke!t se!arate.

%< A Study on Grace 9 Lesson := Grace, cha!ter <. Section <. "ontrasts bet een La The de)e&o!*ent and unity of Scri!ture. and Grace.

#. The re)e&ation about God- in the O&d Testa*ent, na*es and orks. =n the ;e Testa*ent, the Trinity 9 re&ation of each 1erson of the Godhead to *an, differin( as!ects of sa)in( (race. The O&d Testa*ent had continuity concernin( "hrist as 4e eB!ounded to the disci!&es (oin( to @**aus >Luke %<-%0?. %. 1ro!hecy and fu&fi&&*ent. The recorded fu&fi&&*ent as co*!&ete in e)ery detai&. 5. Ty!e and antity!e- The truths of the ;e Testa*ent ere ty!ified and foreshado ed in the O&d Testa*ent. >= "orinthians #6-#, ##?. <. About satan and e)i&. The *essa(e about these is consistent and de)e&o!s ith the chan(es in ti*es and GodKs !ro)isions in "hrist. C. The doctrine of the hu*an condition is sin. 4u*ans sin. God !ro)ides the re*edy throu(h b&ood a&one. 3. 4o&iness is reDuired in the conduct of saints. A ho&y *anner, thou(h differin( in detai&s in different ti*es. 0. "ontinuity of !ur!ose unto the u&ti*ate consu**ation re)ea&ed in and re&ated to the Son. @ach of the 5 !resent inde!endent, sufficient, and co*!&ete syste*s of di)ine ru&e in earth. #. 'osaic La . %. Grace. 5. The kin(do* of God in earth. Let us (o into *ore detai&. #. 'osaic La . +e)ea&ed fro* God to the descendants of Abraha*, the =srae&ites at Sinai. To the* a&one. =t conde*ned *an in his inabi&ity to obey God co*!&ete&y >thereby to continue in sin?. This as to con)ince the* of their need of a sa)ior, &eadin( to the* to "hrist. This as *aintained by =srae& for #C66 years. %. The Teachin(s of Grace. +e)ea&ed by God throu(h "hrist and 4is a!ost&es 9 not for the or&d but for born,a(ain !eo!&e, in the or&d but not of the or&d, hea)en&y citiEens. These describe the eBact *anner of &ife. The death of "hrist as the necessary foundation for the fu&& sho in( forth of su!er,aboundin( (race. This is the ti*e of the Genti&es. God is not ru&in( the earth, nor fu&fi&&in( the co)enant ith =srae&. GniDue&y, the e*!hasis is on the indi)idua&. The Gos!e& of "hrist a!!ea&s to indi)idua&s 9 !ersona& faith, !ersona& rebirth, re&ationshi! ith God, and a (ift for ser)ice and (uidance and !o er in the S!irit to (ro and *ature, to

%C A Study on Grace 9 Lesson := continued beco*e *ore "hrist &ike. A&& to(ether, this (rou! of indi)idua&s sho forth the riches of GodKs (race. i&&

5. Teachin(s of the Iin(do*. Satan i&& be bound. The earth !urified. "hrist i&& rei(n in ri(hteousness, and !eace. This i&& be the first and on&y ti*e in the history of the or&d. This i&& be(in )io&ent&y, a&& nations i&& be c&eansed of their !o er structures. Satan and his dece!tion i&& be re*o)ed. =srae& i&& recei)e fu&fi&&*ent of her co)enants, and the b&essin( !ro*ised the Genti&es i&& be recei)ed, as e&& as on a&& of creation. The "hurch i&& be ith "hrist to rei(n ith 4i*. This !eriod i&& be the fina& de*onstration of the rebe&&iousness of *an, se&fish&y !ursuin( their !assions and !ride, the ickedness of this fa&&en nature. These teachin(s are found in the 1sa&*s, !ro!hecies of the O&d Testa*ent, and in the Syno!tic Gos!e&s. God has desi(nated the di)ision of the hu*an fa*i&y as Je , Genti&e, and the "hurch. #. The Je , or =srae&, be(an ith Abraha* and then the !eo!&e as a nation for #C66 years unto the ti*e of the Gos!e&. The kin(do* co)enants to be rea&iEed at the future return of the Iin(. %. The Genti&e be(an ith Ada*. ;o ith the Je s is offered the Gos!e& of (race, to share in the (&ory to co*e. >Acts #C.#0.? 5. The "hurch be(an ith the death of "hrist and the co*in( of the 4o&y S!irit, to beco*e the 2ride of "hrist, the Iin( to rei(n ith 4i*. "o*!arison and "ontrast of the 'osaic La Grace. and the Teachin( of

;o nation or (o)ern*ent is set u! under God on the basis of the 'osaic La . Grace is offered to the ho&e or&d hich is under the ru&e of sin. Gnder (race, be&ie)ers are ca&&ed u!on to &i)e unto God in a (reater *ora& and (i)in( *anner than the 'osaic La . The co**and of the kee!in( of the Sabbath is o*itted. A&so a&& c&ai*s to the &and of =srae& are o*itted. The "hristian is a !i&(ri*, a citiEen of hea)en, not seekin( a d e&&in( or &on( &ife here. The La had none of the fo&&o in(- a &ife of !rayer, ser)ice to others, e)an(e&is*, *issions, (os!e& !reachin(, &ife in the S!irit, 7atherhood of God, union ith "hrist, fe&&o shi! of be&ie)ers, ho!e of sa&)ation and eternity ith God, or ho!e of hea)en. 'osaic La - a co)enant of orks, to be atte*!ted in the f&esh. The Teachin( of Grace- a co)enant of faith, to be eBercised in the

%3 A Study on Grace 9 Lesson := continued ener(y of the s!irit. 2oth are based on a co)enant of orks and inc&ude co**on e&e*ents. They are different in certain !oints. A co)enant bet een God and hu*ans based on hu*an orks inc&udes conditions of GodKs !ro*ises reDuire faithfu&ness of *an. The kin(do* b&essin(s are reser)ed to the !oor in s!irit, the *eek, *ercifu&, !ure in heart, the !eace,*aker. LLi)e by the ru&es and you sha&& &i)e.K The 'osaic La as a&so conditiona& u!on the faithfu&ness and obedience, then co*e the rich b&essin(s abo)e a&& other nations. To disobey had dire conseDuences- curses sha&& co*e u!on the* and o)ertake the*. The &a of the Iin(do* >as s!oken in the Ser*on on the 'ount? (oes further than 'osaic La , conde*nin( the thou(ht as eDua&&y ron( ith the deed >an(er and *urder, &ust in the heart and adu&tery, etc.?. The turned cheek, the eBtra *i&e, no refusa& hen so*ethin( is asked for. Grace and the Iin(do* co*!ared and contrasted. =nc&udin( the O&d Testa*ent !ro!hecies about the kin(do* are in accord ith "hristKs teachin(s about the kin(do* in 'atthe C,0. John the 2a!tist first tau(ht !ure&y &e(a& re!entance unto (ood orks, as hera&d of the Iin( >not the 'osaic La ?. So a&so Luke and 'atthe record the teachin( of the Iin(do* of hea)en, and the kin(do* of God, *eanin( the earth&y ru&e of "hrist as kin(. 'erit of *an as reDuired for entrance. =n (race, hea)en itse&f is in )ie , be&ie)ers re&ated, and in !resence ith God and "hrist. The kin(do* teachin(s >both O&d Testa*ent and ;e Testa*ent?, !eace and ri(hteousness, su**ariEe the reDuire*ents of each indi)idua&. =n (race the ord, be&ief and *ercy are the key reDuire*ents. 'ercy and (race are (i)en free&y to those that be&ie)e in "hrist. +i(hteousness is !ro)ided >i*!uted and i*!arted?. The kin(do* rei(n of "hrist i&& not be a ti*e of sin&essness but for hi(h *ora& reDuire*ents, and just and i**ediate !unish*ent. A&& &i)in( !eo!&e that are a&&o ed to enter i&& sti&& retain their fa&&en hu*an nature. The Ser*on on the 'ount out&ines these reDuire*ents. >'atthe C-#,#%.? The 2eatitudes- b&essed are the !oor in s!irit >the hu*b&e?theirs is the kin(do* of hea)en. The )irtues are not !ut on by "hristians to (ain hea)en >or the Iin(do* of hea)en?, but as &ife &i)ed in the !o er of the S!irit >not to !retend &ike?. 'ournin( describes =srae&, unti& their Iin(, the 1ro*ised 'essiah co*es, then they i&& ha)e joy and !raise. The *eek i&& inherit the earth. The "hurch has an inheritance but it is eterna&, in hea)en ith God. To hun(er and thirst after ri(hteousness is to ork to attain

%0 A Study on Grace 9 Lesson := continued it. "hristians are accounted ri(hteous in "hrist. The *ercifu& obtain *ercy- !ure La . A&& "hristians ha)e a&ready been (i)en *ercy, and are ca&&ed u!on to (i)e hat they ha)e a&ready recei)ed. Gnder &a see 1sa&*s #8-%<,%3. The !ure in heart sha&& see God. =saiah 55-#C,#8 inc&udes ...Thine eyes sha&& see the kin( in his beauty. 2e&ie)ers see God throu(h Jesus as re)ea&ed in our hearts throu(h the S!irit as Lthe &i(ht of the kno &ed(e of the (&ory of God in the face of Jesus "hristK >== "orinthians <-3?. The !eace,*akers sha&& be ca&&ed the chi&dren of God. The Iin( of the kin(do* is Lthe 1rince of 1eaceK, and i&& rei(n o)er earth ith !eace. Those that !ro*ote !eace i&& be (i)en s!ecia& reco(nition as GodKs chi&dren. Gnder (race. We are Lchi&dren of God by faith in "hrist JesusK >Ga&atians 5-%3?. A(ain, a (ift, an ado!tion ithout conditions or orks. Those !ersecuted for ri(hteousnessK sake. "hristians i&& suffer !ersecution for their faith in "hrist- for *y na*eKs sake >John #C-%#H == Ti*othy 5-#%H 1hi&i!!ians #-%$?. A&& the b&essin(s of the kin(do* Lsha&& beK to those that ha)e earned the*. The b&essin(s to "hristians throu(h the S!irit are !resent !ossessions in su!er,abundanceH &o)e, !eace, joy, etc. The fruit of the S!irit. =n the kin(do*, =srae& is described as sa&t and &i(ht, es!ecia&&y to the Genti&es. A&& nations i&& be dra n to the Lord, to acce!t 4is rei(n in a&& !eace and ri(hteousness. "hristians are of the Li(ht, chi&dren of &i(ht >@!hesians C-8?, to sho forth our faith in "hrist, and &ead others to 4i*. "hristians shou&d not (&ory in orks as sho in( forth of their o n *erit or )irtue, but on&y as our obedience to the hi(h,ca&&in( e ha)e as "hristians to sho our (ratitude and honor hat e ha)e been (i)en in GodKs (race throu(h "hristKs, and to &i)e as 4is chi&dren to 4is (&ory. The 'osaic La re&ated to the Iin(do*. =t is intensified. The !ena&ties are a&so intensified. >'atthe C-%6,%%,%$,56.? ;o be&ie)er is no or e)er sha&& (o into conde*nation >jud(*ent?. >John C-%<H +o*ans 8-#.? 2e&ie)ers i&& be jud(ed on&y in hea)en, for re ards.

%8 A Study on Grace 9 Lesson :== Grace, cha!ter <, continued. =n the @arth&y Iin(do*. 1rayer for the kin(do* and in the kin(do*. >'atthe 3-8,#0H 0-0,##.? The LordKs 1rayer is in *ind of the kin(do*, and not intended to be a *ode& !rayer to "hristians. The kin(do* is !rayed to co*e ith GodKs i&& bein( done in earth, as it is in hea)en. One reDuest stands out- for(i)e us our debts, as e for(i)e our debtors. This is !ure&y &e(a&, conditiona& u!on oneKs orks. =n the !resent a(e, God is dea&in( ith !eo!&e on the (round of 4is Grace as it is in "hrist. The "hristian is to for(i)e others because of ha)in( been for(i)en by God throu(h "hrist >@!hesians <-5%H "o&ossians 5-#5H = John #-$?. =n the co*in( kin(do*, the Iin( i&& ru&e ith a rod of iron. There is no ord of *ercy or (race. 2e&ie)ers ha)e access to God in !rayer on&y throu(h "hrist. >4ebre s #6-#$,%6H John #3-%<.? A&so, riches in the kin(do*. >'atthe 3-#$,%<.? +i(ht use i&& be re arded. The 7atherKs care in the kin(do* is on&y for those ho seek first the kin(do* of God and 4is ri(hteousness. =n (race, ho e)er, the care is unconditiona&. Jud(*ent of others in the kin(do*- jud(e not, that ye be not jud(ed, and ith hat *easure you (i)e out, so sha&& it be *easure to you in return. This is not so in (race. =n the kin(do*, fa&se !ro!hets are discerned by the Dua&ity of their &i)es. =n (race, they are discerned by of their fa&se doctrine concernin( "hrist. >== 1eter %-#H == John #-0,##.? ;ot by a!!earance. @ntrance into the kin(do* reDuires ri(hteousness beyond that of the scribes and 1harisees >'atthe C-%6?. @ntrance into hea)en is throu(h the finished ork of "hrist >Titus 5-C?. Do unto others hat you ou&d ha)e the* do unto you- Lfor this is the &a and the !ro!hetsK >'atthe 0-#%? is c&ear&y kin(do* teachin(- a &e(a& !rinci!&e. Grace teaches sharin( your faith in the sa)in( Gos!e& of "hrist. 4u*an effort is reDuired to enter at the strai(ht (ate that &eads to &ife. Grace on&y reDuires faith. The 2ib&e is GodKs re)e&ation to a&& !eo!&e of a&& a(es. 'uch of it is a!!&ied to ti*es !ast, so*e ho&&y future. "onditions of each !eriod are uniDue to that ti*e. Gnder (race, the be&ie)er endures because he is sa)ed. The difference in order of di)ine b&essin( and hu*an ob&i(ation. Gnder (race, the di)ine b&essin( co*es first, the ob&i(ation second. Gnder any &a , obedience co*es first, b&essin( is secondary. Gnder &a , do and &i)e. 2y (race, &i)e and do. The (reat doctrina& e!ist&es of the ;e Testa*ent teach GodKs (race and di)ine b&essin(s a& ays co*e before, and hu*an ob&i(ation co*e after. The *i(hty undertakin(s of God are eB!ounded, then the one sa)ed is eBhorted to &i)e accordin( to those thin(s (i)en in

%$ A Study on Grace 9 Lesson :== continued "hrist to the (&ory of God. The be&ie)er is ca&&ed u!on to !resent their bodies a &i)in( sacrifice, ho&y, acce!tab&e to God, hich is their reasonab&e ser)ice. >+o*ans #%-#.? @!hesians <-# ca&&s the be&ie)er to L a&k orthy of the )ocation here ith ye are ca&&edK. The saint is ke!t by (race unto (ood orks, not ke!t by (ood orks. The 7ather insists on (ood orks in 4is chi&drenKs &i)es, but not for their condition of re*ainin( 4is chi&dren by the !erfor*ance of an a*ount of (ood orks >conditiona&?. 4is fatherhood is unconditiona&. The co)enant of orks >not be(un unti& 'osaic La ? ceased ith the death of "hrist. =ts !ur!ose as acco*!&ished, and its ti*e as fu&fi&&ed. The co)enant of faith as announced in Abraha*, and re,instituted throu(h the death of "hrist. This as GodKs !ur!ose in reachin( the Genti&es unto sa&)ation throu(h Jesus "hrist. >Ga&atians 5-#<.? The !ro!osition of beco*in( acce!tab&e to God by (ood orks a!!ea&s to the fa&&en !erson as the on&y reasonab&e thin( to do. Such a !erson acts &ike a "hristian as necessary to his sa&)ation and is acce!ted in the fe&&o shi! of be&ie)ers, sincere&y beha)in( accordin(&y. This is that !ersonKs (reatest hindrance in understandin( his need of a Sa)ior. This de&usion is stron(er than the !erson ho seeks no re&ationshi! ith God. 2oth are &ost. 2y the orks of the La sha&& no f&esh be justified in 4is si(ht. 2e&ie)in( that the by orks !rinci!&e is necessary to kee! sa&)ation is inco*!atib&e ith be&ie)in( in GodKs (race. The *ore !erfect co)enant of faith brin(s the be&ie)er into a !erfect re&ationshi! ith God. ;o hu*an orks cou&d attain this or kee! it. Met, so *any ork under the i&&usion that they can attain so*e &e)e& of *ora& and . or re&i(ious orks to beco*e acce!ted of God. On&y "hrist cou&d and did fu&fi&& the La of !ure, ho&y ri(hteousness in the sinnersK stead and offer 4i*se&f to !ay the death !ena&ty deser)ed by e)ery hu*an. GodKs (race and !o er !ro)ided for the sinner hat the sinner cou&d ne)er do. A&& b&essin(s f&o fro* faith in hat God has done in "hrist- for(i)eness, reconci&iation ith God, and an eterna& re&ationshi! as a chi&d of God. De(rees of difficu&ty, and of enab&e*ent. 4o do these facts re&ate to each ru&e of &ifeJ 'osaic La - a re(u&ation of hu*an conduct. This as i*!osed u!on a&& =srae&ites as nor*a& fa&&en !eo!&e to ru&e o)er their actions, to kee! their !eace and safety. 2ecause of their eakness, no one cou&d actua&&y fu&fi&& a&& of its de*ands unti& "hrist. ;o de(ree of di)ine enab&e*ent is e)en hinted at. The !eo!&e cou&d do no *ore than unaided f&esh cou&d or ou&d !roduce. O)er the #C66 years under these &a s, *an fai&ed. "hrist, in 4is &ife and death, ended the rei(n of the &a . This shou&d ha)e con)inced each

56 A Study on Grace 9 Lesson :== continued indi)idua& of the abso&ute necessity of a Sa)ior Who !ro)ided hat he cou&d ne)er do for hi*se&f. The Grace of God !ro)ided the Way, the Truth, and the Life in "hrist Jesus, our Lord. A&& hu*an atte*!ts at orkin( for GodKs a!!ro)a& are obso&ete. De(ree of enab&e*ent in the La of the Iin(do*. The standard of conduct de*anded as ad)anced and intensified beyond 'osaic La . This inc&uded thou(hts and intents of the heart. ;e reDuire*ents are added about bein( yie&ded and de)oted to God. Di)ine enab&e*ent inc&udes 5 !ro)isions#. The en)iron*ent- the earth i&& be !urified and transfor*ed fro* its !resent deterioratin( condition. Satan i&& be absent. The !ersona& rei(n of "hrist on earth i&& i**ediate&y be kno n. 4is !o er and ins!iration i&& eBtend or&d ide. A&& the fu&fi&&ed !ro*ises to =srae& i&& inc&ude their a&& &i)in( in their o n &and durin( the rei(n of their 'essiah Iin(. Their b&essin(s i&& be eBtended to a&& nations. God i&& circu*cise their hearts and those of their chi&dren, to &o)e the Lord ith heart and sou&. They i&& obey the Lord. >Deuterono*y 56-C,8H 4osea %-#<,%5H Jere*iah 5#-5#, 5<?. The 4o&y S!irit i&& be !oured out u!on the* to e*!o er and ins!ire the* in each indi)idua&Ks dai&y &ife in the kin(do*. The Teachin(s of Grace. The standard of conduct is dra*atica&&y *ore difficu&t than in the 'osaic or Iin(do* &a s. The hi(h ca&&in( is to fo&&o "hrist in eBa*!&e and (oa&. The di)ine enab&e*ent is the infinite !o er of the ind e&&in( 4o&y S!irit. This is the s!iritua& !erson, bein( born a(ain, a chi&d of God and a citiEen of hea)en for eternity. As such that !erson is reDuired to a&k >&i)e dai&y? as is !ro!er for a chi&d of God, and citiEen of hea)en. These reDuire*ents (o abo)e a&& that is eB!ected or is !ossib&e for the natura& !erson. This is a s!iritua& *anner of &ife, and in a sense, su!erhu*an as e&&. The focus is on &o)in( others as "hrist has &o)ed us >John #5-5<H #C-#%?. This (oes beyond the 'osaic co**and*ent to &o)e your nei(hbor as you &o)e yourse&f. The 'osaic standard is the de(ree of se&f,&o)e. Gnder (race is the de(ree that "hrist has &o)ed us. >= John 5-#3.? Lo)e under (race is the Lfruit of the S!iritK >Ga&atians C-%%?. This &o)e is shed abroad >(ushes forth? in our hearts by the 4o&y S!irit >+o*ans C-C?. =n the kin(do*, actions of &o)e earn re ards, as beha)in( as God beha)es >es!ecia&&y in 4is bene)o&ence to 4is ene*ies, such as rain !ro)ided for the just and unjust?. Gnder (race, di)ine co*!assion for the unsa)ed &eads to the desire to in sou&s by sharin( the Gos!e& of "hrist any here, anyti*e. This started at 1entecost and has continued e)er since, and i&& continue. ;othin( of this kind is found in 'osaic La or the La of the Iin(do*.

5# A Study on Grace 9 Lesson :=== Grace, cha!ter <, continued. Life in the S!irit. The S!irit is !ro)ided to e*!o er each be&ie)er to a s!iritua& ru&e of &ife under (race throu(h faith in "hrist. This !osition is c&ear&y stated in )ery *any Scri!tures >John 0-50,5$H +o*ans C-CH 8-$H = "orinthians %-#%H 3-$H Ga&atians 5-%H = Thessa&onians <-8H = John 5-%<H <-#5?. This under&ies e)ery teachin( of (race. A&& be&ie)ers ha)e this e*!o er*ent eDua&&y. ;o hu*an ork, desire, *erit, or dedication can brin( the S!irit into the hu*an heart. A&& be&ie)ers are te*!&es of the ind e&&in( S!irit, and this truth ca&&s for a ho&y &ife to so honor that rea&ity. This is on&y *entioned in the a(e of (race. =n the other a(es, the S!irit is described as co*in( u!on and then de!artin( fro* !eo!&e accordin( to a so)erei(n !ur!ose of God >1sa&*s C#-##?. Gnder (race, the 4o&y S!irit ind e&&s e)ery be&ie)er, and stays, as "hrist !rayed in John #<-#3. The be&ie)erKs res!onsibi&ity is to re&y on the S!irit. This ne re&ationshi! is the subject of the *ajor !art of the teachin(s of the @!ist&es. A&so, the !rinci!&e of faith is direct&y tau(ht. =n the be&ie)erKs eB!erience, hen e*!o ered by the S!irit, he i&& be a are of on&y his o n facu&ties. 4is *inistry is to re)ea& and (&orify "hrist. The e)idence of 4is orkin( i&& be sho n by )ictory abo)e and beyond the effort of the be&ie)er. 7or a "hristian to take on a &ist of so,ca&&ed "hristian beha)iors beco*es orks of the f&esh i&& on&y &ead to frustration, thin(s not ab&e to be so acco*!&ished. The Scri!ture that sets forth the character of conduct of the be&ie)er is a& ays connected ith the enab&in( !o er of the ind e&&in( S!irit. Life of faith is a&kin( in the S!irit. They are inse!arab&e. A!art fro* the S!irit, there can be no &ife,(i)in( itness unto "hrist. The di)ine i&& of God for 4is chi&d is to be fu&fi&&ed in the be&ie)er, not by the be&ie)er. Ga&atians C-#3 , A This = say then, Wa&k in the S!irit, and ye sha&& not fu&fi& the &ust of the f&esh. A sou& is sa)ed by faith, the sa*e !rinci!&e is that hereby the be&ie)er is to a&k. To be "hrist,&ike is the eBa*!&e of the !attern be&ie)ers are to fo&&o . >1hi&i!!ians %-CH = John <-#0H = 1eter %-%#H 1hi&e*on #-%#.? Those Dua&ities of a "hrist,&ike &ife are &isted in Ga&atians C-%%,%5 as the fruit of the S!irit- &o)e, joy, !eace, &on(, sufferin(, (ent&eness, (oodness, faith, *eekness, te*!erance. These cannot be (enerated by the natura& *an. On&y by the orkin( of the 4o&y S!irit in the heart. 1hi&i!!ians <-< 9 +ejoice in the Lord a& ays. This co*es fro*

5% A Study on Grace 9 Lesson :=== continued the f&o in( out of ri)ers of &i)in( ater >the S!irit?. 1hi&i!!ians %-#5 , for it is God hich orketh in you both to i&& and to do of his (ood !&easure. This truth is one of the *ost eBtensi)e doctrines ritten about in the ;e Testa*ent, found in the @!ist&es 9 +o*ans #%-5,3H = "orinthians #-<H 5-#6H #C-#6H == "orinthians #-#%H <-#CH 3-#,5H 8-#,3,0,$,H Ga&atians %-$H @!hesians 5-%,8H <-0,%$H 1hi&i!!ians #-0H "o&ossians 5-#3H <-3H == Thessa&onians #-#%H == Ti*othy %-#H 4ebre s <-#3H #%-#CH Ja*es <-3H == 1eter 5-#8. Section C. The La Done A ay.

The co)enant ith Abraha* as abidin( and eterna&. =t antici!ated the earth&y seed throu(h his descendants and the nation of =srae&. This s!iritua& seed that ou&d a&so be re&ated to God on the !rinci!&e of faith. =srae& chose to acce!t the co)enant of the 'osaic La . =t as te*!orary and ith conditions. =t as desi(ned to (o)ern the !eo!&e in their ho*e&and unti& the ti*e of the 1ro*ised Seed >of the o*an?. This as the s!iritua& seed, the ho!e of sa&)ation throu(h faith. The &a as added 9 unti& the seed shou&d co*e >Ga&atians 5-#$?. +i(hteousness is i*!uted to be&ie)ers based u!on the finished ork of "hrist. The 'osaic La >of orks? as su!!&anted. The ho&e of *ankind is in the cate(ory of sinners, ith no !ossib&e *erit before God. On&y by (race throu(h "hrist by faith. There is no other ay. Any use of the &a *ust be se&f,i*!osed. To be ri(hteous before God, the ho&e &a *ust be fo&&o ed. LTo offend in one !oint, is to be (ui&ty of a&&.K ;o hu*an bein( has the abi&ity in the f&esh to be !erfect&y obedient to the ho&e &a . A&&, Je s and Genti&es, are under (race, hich is the on&y ay o!en to GodKs acce!tance by faith in "hrist unto sa&)ation. Ga&atians C-#8 , 2ut if ye be &ed of the S!irit, ye are not under the &a . 7ai&ure to kee! the ho&e &a is an insu&t to the ri(hteousness of God. >=saiah C%-C.? On&y those that turn to God by faith in the One Who *et e)ery de*and of the La , by 4is (race, are acce!ted into 4is fa*i&y. 1au& describes the La as a schoo&*aster to brin( the* unto "hrist, to be justified by faith. >Ga&atians 5-#$,%C.? +o*ans 0-%,3 describes the o*an ho *arries a second husband hi&e the first one sti&& &i)es as bein( in sin. =f he is dead, she is freed of any ob&i(ation to hi*. 1au& &ikens this to the re&ation of the &a as the first husband. The sacrifice of "hrist !aid a&& ob&i(ation to the &a , so she cou&d *arry another, na*e&y "hrist, and under ob&i(ation on&y to 4i*. This i&&ustrates the ron(ness and !oint&essness of tryin( to kee! the &a in the !resence of God. The ne union ith "hrist enab&es the be&ie)er to brin( forth fruit unto God. 1ut aside the o&d, f&esh&y ser)ice to the &etter of the &a .

55 A Study on Grace 9 Lesson :=== continued "ontrastin( the La and Grace Grace Written by the 4o&y S!irit in the heart, (i)in( &ife. The *inistration of &ife in the S!irit re*aineth. 7aith and ho!e e)er&astin(.

La Written >on stone and scro&&s?. The &etter ki&&eth >conde*ns?. The *inistration of death is done a ay. Abo&ished.

Scri!tures 9 Ga&atians C-#8H @!hesians %-#CH "o&ossians %-#<H John #C-%C. The 'osaic La &ife under (race. is ne)er a!!&ied to the be&ie)er as re(u&atin(

The La of the Iin(do* and Grace The !rinci!&es of &a and (race are destructi)e to each other. To confuse the* i&& be the resu&t of brin(in( in any &e(a& !rinci!&e under the rei(n of (race. Any hu*an ob&i(ation or *erit under (race obscures and &essens the (reat sacrifice of GodKs Son and !erfect fu&fi&&*ent of the &a . The be&ie)er is not under any Iin(do* &a . The *oti)e for (ood orks under (race is not to secure fa)or fro* God. 4is fa)or is offered free&y to a&& throu(h the Gos!e& of 4is Son. The &a)ish b&essin(s under (race are ne)er conditiona& u!on hu*an effort or *erit. The La is a co)enant of orks that de*anded no *ore than hu*an nature cou&d !roduce in its en)iron*ent. Grace is a co)enant of faith that !ro)ides &i*it&ess enab&e*ent of the !o er of the ind e&&in( S!irit. =t brin(s the s!iritua& be&ie)er beyond de!endance on the ener(y of the f&esh. Judais* is of the earth and the f&esh. Grace is of hea)en, the ne creation and the S!irit. Judais* antici!ated and !ointed to the )a&ue of "hristKs death by sacrifice, hich be&ie)ers acce!t by faith. Jesus, hi&e Judais* as sti&& in force, fu&fi&&ed the &a , antici!ated the 'essianic Iin(do*, hich i&& be !ure&y &e(a& in character. The !eo!&e of =srae& ere ca&&ed u!on to !erfor* sacrifices >1asso)er La*b? hich !ointed to "hrist >the La*b of God?. "hristians !roc&ai* a sacrifice, hich !oints back to the sacrifice of "hrist. A&& the for*s, ritua&s, and cere*onies of Judais* a&so !ointed to "hrist. "hristians ce&ebrate their union ith "hrist as GodKs chi&dren, ind e&t by the 4o&y S!irit. A&& the earth&y !ro*ises of God to =srae& ha)e been !ut aside. The s!iritua& !ro*ises to Abraha* by faith in the !ro*ised +edee*er ere brou(ht by "hrist to a&& !eo!&e. The *ystery that 1au& rites about is the co*binin( of both Je s and Genti&es into the "hurch

5< A Study on Grace 9 Lesson :=== continued throu(h GodKs (race in "hrist. Judais*- an earth&y !eo!&e, &i)in( in the f&esh. "hristianity- a hea)en&y !eo!&e, &i)in( in the S!irit. This ne &ife is a ne creation, ith "hrist at the center. =ts (oa& and fina& resu&t i&& be the un)ei&in( of the (&ory of GodKs (race in the a(es to co*e. The nation of =srae&, the "hosen 1eo!&e, as to sho forth GodKs (&ory u!on the earth. The 'osaic La set forth the ri(hteousness of God and co**anded hat a !erson *ust do to !&ease 4i*. ;o *an e)er did or cou&d !erfor* it !erfect&y. On&y "hrist cou&d and did. The &a as to kee! before the !eo!&e their sin and inabi&ity to !&ease God by their *erit. Any hu*an that su!!oses that he can !&ease God by his o n f&esh&y efforts is under a de&usion as o&d as the race. The utter fai&ure of a&& *en as to con)ict and con)ince the* of the abso&ute necessity of a Sa)ior. There is, under (race, no ob&i(ation to ork to secure fa)or ith God by hu*an *erit.

5C A Study on Grace 9 Lesson =N Grace, cha!ter <, section 3. The Sabbath. The obser)ed fact that )ery fe !eo!&e ha)e actua&&y been tau(ht or e)en heard of its !rinci!&es is e)idence that (race is not understood. Therefore, to far too *any "hristians, their be&ief and conduct is on&y of a syste* of hu*an orks and !ersona& i*!ro)e*ent to (ain *erit, or earn !oints ith God. The settin( a!art of a s!ecia& day >a Sabbath? to God (i)es !eo!&e this understandin( eBtraordinary o!!ortunities to earn *erit ith God. This is a(ain *iBin( &a ith Grace, hich cance&s (race. The t o ho&y days, the Sabbath, and Sunday >first day of the eek?, re!resent the co*!&ete&y se!arate *eanin(s of La >Sabbath?, and (race >Sunday?. The sabbath >se)enth? day as not instituted as a set a!art day unti& the sabbath of the 'osaic La . =n Genesis it is *entioned that creation took siB days. God rested on the se)enth. ;o *ention of its bein( set aside is recorded in Scri!ture unti& the 'osaic La >+o*ans C-#%,#<?. =t as ke!t by =srae& bet een God and their (enerations of 4is ho&iness. Their co*!&iance as reDuired. To defi&e the sabbath had a death !ena&ty. Any ork as !unishab&e by death. The sabbath as a !er!etua& co)enant, fore)er. =t as a day of rest- no fire kind&ed, no buyin( or se&&in(, food !re!ared, journey taken, no burden carried. @)en the ti&&ed &and as to ha)e its sabbath year of rest. This as )ery !oor&y obser)ed thou(h strict&y reDuired under the 'osaic La and interconnected ith it. The !eriod of the Gos!e&. The &a as not to be sur!assed unti& "hristKs death. Durin( 4is *inistry, 4e insisted that the 'osaic La in (enera& and the Sabbath ere to be obser)ed, *inus the added conditions and detai&s *en had added >the Je s considered the* as bein( as bindin( as 4o&y Scri!ture?. Jesus said 4e as the Lord of the Sabbath and that it as !&anned as a benefit to *an 9 not a burden. =n a&& of "hristKs !ost,resurrection *inistry, the sabbath is not *entioned, ne)er a!!&ied to Genti&es. Just as the ru&e of &a ith the sabbath obser)ation ended ith "hristKs death. The ;e Testa*ent Acts and @!ist&es. =n the 2ook of Acts, the ord Sabbath is *entioned on&y of the Je s *eetin( in their syna(o(ue, as fo&&o in( the 'osaic La . 1au& ty!ica&&y took that o!!ortunity to !reach "hrist. ;o here is it *entioned concernin( "hristians *eetin( on the sabbath in the @!ist&es. 2y the S!irit =n ba!tis*, the "hristian !artakes of a&& that "hrist is, and a&& that "hrist has done- 4is &ife, death, buria&, and resurrection >+o*ans 3-#,#6?. As a ne creation, the o&d creation ith its &a s and !ena&ties are &eft in the !ast. The sabbath day obser)ance in

53 A Study on Grace 9 Lesson =N continued e)ery reference is desi(nated as a returnin( to the &a to earn *erit ith God. This be&itt&es the finished ork of "hrist. =n !ro!hecy, the sabbath is not obser)ed in the a(e of (race, a&so the ti*e of =srae&Ks chastise*ent. =t is re,estab&ished hen the "hurch a(e c&oses >in the +a!ture?. This is GodKs !ers!ecti)e as not reco(niEin( or creditin( Je s for i*!osin( on the*se&)es a so&e*n feast or sabbath >4osea %-##H +o*ans %-#<,#C?. The sabbath i&& be re,estab&ished in the Great Tribu&ation and the 'i&&ennia& Iin(do*. >=saiah 33-%5H @Eekie& <3-#H Deuterono*y 56-8.? The sabbath be(an at sunset, and ended at the neBt sunset. This cou&d on&y be obser)ed in a &i*ited (eo(ra!hica& &ocation >such as =srae&?, and ou&d not be !ossib&e or&d ide in the northern he*is!here. There is no ay that a correct re!resentation of GodKs se)enth day cou&d be desi(nated or fo&&o ed. Any choice, then, is *an *ade and se&f i*!osed. Scri!ture about the LordKs day- the reason and *anner of the obser)ance of the day. The oddest !resent insistence of sabbath day obser)ance does not use it as a day of rest, but of (reat acti)ities- ser)ices, cere*onies, and *uch re&i(ious ork. The "atho&ic church !roduced their o n te*!&e, a&tar, !riests, and cere*onies. The day of "hristKs resurrection as !&anned and !redicted >1sa&*s ##8-%%,%<?, hich 1eter !reached in Acts <-#6,## , #6 be it kno n unto you a&&, and to a&& the !eo!&e of =srae&, that by the na*e of Jesus "hrist of ;aEareth, ho* ye crucified, ho* God raised fro* the dead, e)en by hi* doth this *an stand here before you ho&e. ## This is the stone hich as set at nou(ht of you bui&ders, hich is beco*e the head of the corner. The day of "hristKs resurrection is the day hich the Lord has *ade. On that day, e are to rejoice and be (&ad in it >1sa&*s ##8-%%,%<?. The first day of e)ery eek, a co**e*oration of the resurrection of "hrist. =t be(ins in the ear&y *ornin(, orshi!, acti)ity, joyfu& to the end of the day. This is ce&ebration of the finished ork of "hrist for us. =t is not a day of ork for us to earn !oints or *erit ith God. 1au& rites of the Genti&e "hristian (atherin(s bein( on the LordKs Day, the first day of the eek. A co*!&eted eek ended on the 0th day. The 8th day as the first day fo&&o in( the co*!&eted eek. This !ictured a ne order brou(ht by the death and resurrection of "hrist- a ne creation ce&ebrated on a ne day >the 8th?. Gnder the &a , *an *ust ork for siB days, then one day of abso&ute rest. The be&ie)er under (race be(ins ith a day of b&essin( on the first day, and the fo&&o in( 3 days are to be &i)ed in the !o er and b&essin( recei)ed on that first day. This is a

50 A Study on Grace 9 Lesson =N continued co)enant of faith, the (ift of God, ith a ne re&ationshi! of reconci&iation ith God throu(h "hrist. The 0th day as obser)ed in the f&esh, ho!in( to ha)e earned acce!tance of God. The #st day is obser)ed ith the assurance of bein( a&ready acce!ted of God. To chi&dren, they shou&d fo&&o the !rece!ts of the !arents, and brou(ht to the kno &ed(e of "hrist at the ear&iest !ossib&e a(e. The Sunday !ractice of church (oin( shou&d then be a ti*e of joy and ce&ebration, not a &a of the !arents. ;e)er shou&d it beco*e a borin( or un anted chore. Sunday and ru&es. Gnder the La , Sabbath ru&es inc&uded (reat detai&, the !eo!&e as i**ature and in the f&esh, not ab&e to direct the*se&)es. Gnder (race, the be&ie)er is considered a S!irit directed nature and res!onsib&e as an adu&t in the househo&d of God. Accordin( to the S!iritKs (ifts and (uidance, each indi)idua& is free to eB!ress and !ractice ser)ice accordin(&y- a a&k in the S!irit. The LordKs day ce&ebrates the resurrection of "hrist, therefore the be&ie)ers sho their ne &ife in ser)ice to 4i*. We are acce!ted by God in 4i* and by 4i*. ;othin( a "hristian does, hether on the LordKs day or any other is to earn fa)or or *erit ith God, but in res!onse and (ratitude for hat "hrist has done for us hich (a)e us acce!tance, both !erfect and eterna& ith our 4ea)en&y 7ather. One eBce!tion is the instruction, in detai&, on ho 4is *e*oria& su!!er is to be obser)ed. =t as and is a day of rejoicin(, ce&ebration of that joy in the Lord. The acti)ities shou&d be adjusted to the &a of &o)e. ;othin( shou&d be done that ou&d hinder or offend a eaker brother or sister. The "hristian has entered, under (race, into the !eriod of rest in the sense that he or she no &on(er has to ork accordin( to GodKs &a , to earn the Sabbath day of rest. The ork of "hrist co*!&eted a&& ork necessary to fu&fi&& the &a . This is accounted to e)ery be&ie)er by faith, as the (ift of God in "hrist, once and for a&&, by 4is (race. The "hristian is therefore free to rest fro* a&& se&fish ork and to &i)e to the (&ory and !raise of another, yie&ded to God, not to !&ease God as if earnin( anythin(, but to !raise and (&orify God for hat 4e has a&ready done for us and in us.

58 A Study on Grace 9 Lesson N Grace cha!ter <, section 0. =n "hrist. This is the uniDue !osition of e)ery be&ie)er. ;e Testa*ent teachin(s of (race *ention this conce!t at &east #56 ti*es in )arious ter*s- in 4i*, in the 2e&o)ed, by 4i*, ith 4i*. We are b&essed in a&& s!iritua& b&essin( in "hrist. 7ro* @!hesians cha!ter # , 5 A 2&essed be the God and 7ather of our Lord Jesus "hrist, ho hath b&essed us ith a&& s!iritua& b&essin(s in hea)en&y !&aces in "hrist< accordin( as he hath chosen us in hi* before the foundation of the or&d, that e shou&d be ho&y and ithout b&a*e before hi* in &o)eWe are in the s!here of 4is infinite !erson, !o er, and (&ory. 4e surrounds, se!arates us fro* a&& e&se, and ind e&&s the one in 4i*. The )ita& &i)in( re&ationshi! of the branch in the :ine. The fruit of the )ine is as *uch fruit of the )ine as it is of the branch. So a&so as a *e*ber of a hu*an body to ard the head, its source of &ife is !o er. At that day ye sha&& kno that = a* in *y 7ather, and ye in *e, and = in you. >John #<-%6.? Me in 'e- 2y one S!irit are e a&& ba!tiEed into one body, hether e be Je s or Genti&es, bond or free >= "orinthians #%-#5?. =t is a !art of the ne birth in "hrist as an or(anic union ith "hrist in hea)en, in !ossession in (race ith "hrist. The s!here in "hrist, &ike a bird in the air, a fish in the ater. The be&ie)er is in "hrist s!iritua&&y, and "hrist is in the be&ie)er, in the ind e&&in( 4o&y S!iritH a branch, !art of the )ine, a *e*ber !art of the body. Thus God, our 4ea)en&y 7ather, sees us as a &i)in( !art of 4is Son, acce!ted and &o)ed eDua&&y. The @!ist&es set forth the ne !ositions of the be&ie)er in "hrist , @&ect and ca&&ed of God >= Thessa&onians #-<H C-%<? +edee*ed by the b&ood of 4is Son >"o&ossians #-#<? +econci&ed to God throu(h "hrist >== "orinthians C-#$? 7or(i)en of a&& sins 9 !ast, !resent, future >"o&ossians %-#5? Justified by faith in GodKs (race in "hrist >+o*ans 5-%<? Sanctified 9 set a!art unto God in "hrist >= "orinthians #-56? 1erfected fore)er >4ebre s #6-#<? Acce!ted in the 2e&o)ed >@!hesians #-3? 'ade the ri(hteousness of God in 4i* >== "orinthians C-%#? 'ade ri(ht to God in "hrist >@!hesians %-#5? A chi&d, a son of God >John #-#%H = John 5-5? 7ree fro* the La >+o*ans 0-<? De&i)ered fro* the !o er of darkness >"o&ossians #-#5?

5$ A Study on Grace 9 Lesson N continued GodKs (ift to "hrist >John #0-##,#%,%6H #6-%$ Object of "hristKs intercession >4ebre s 0-%C? 4is inheritance >@!hesians #-#8? A citiEen of hea)en >1hi&i!!ians 5-%6? 2orn, ba!tiEed, ind e&t, sea&ed of the S!irit >@!hesians <-56? "o*!&ete in 4i* >"o&ossians %-#6? 1ossessin( e)ery s!iritua& b&essin( >@!hesians #-5? A&& of these are- in)isib&e, not eB!erienced by the !hysica& senses, taken in by faith, contested by the ad)ersary, un*erited, unchan(eab&e. 2ein( in "hrist is the sa*e yesterday, today, and fore)er >4ebre s #5-#8?. =t is eterna& 9 e are sa)ed by "hrist to the utter*ost >4ebre s 0-%C?. A&& of these b&essin(s f&o fro* the eBceedin( Grace of God. The be&ie)ersK !ossessions are a&& (ained and a&& retained ithout stru((&e or effort, a&& (ifts in GodKs (race, the riches of the (&ory of 4is inheritance in the saints >@!hesians #-#8?. A&& isdo* and s!iritua& understandin( >"o&ossians #-$?. A ne &ife is i*!arted, and *ore abundant&y >John #6-#6?. >The ne birth?. The ne !resence and !o er of the S!irit. A ne inheritance- a&& thin(s, undefi&ed, incorru!tib&e, reser)ed in hea)en for you >= 1eter #-5,<?. A&& !resence and !o er of the S!irit are an Learnest of our inheritanceK >@!hesians #-#<H 4ebre s $-#C?. A&& are yoursH and ye are "hristKs and "hrist is GodKs >= "orinthians 5-%#,%5?. The ho&e Ar*or of God i&& a&&o you to stand a(ainst the i&es of the de)i& >@!hesians 3-#6,#%?. Access to God reDuires a *ediator because God is ho&y and *an is not. God !ro)ided hat no *an cou&d in the 1erson of 4is Son. God as in "hrist, reconci&in( the or&d unto 4i*se&f >== "orinthians C-#$?. 4e is the !ro!itiation for our sinsH and not for ours on&y, but a&so for the sins of the ho&e or&d >= John %-%?. =n the O&d Testa*ent, no one cou&d be !er*itted to co*e into the !resence of God a!art fro* the sheddin( of b&ood of sacrifice. "hrist fu&fi&&ed hat a&& these si(ns !ointed to. One *ediator bet een God and *en, the *an "hrist Jesus >= Ti*othy %-C?. 4is *ediation inc&udes- access into the (race of God >+o*ans C-%?. The sa)ed are ke!t and i&& stand on&y throu(h "hrist. 7e&&o shi! ith God is brou(ht because the be&ie)er is under the !recious b&ood of "hrist. This fe&&o shi! is 7ather to son, a(ain and a& ays in "hrist >4ebre s #6-#$,%%?. =n !rayer, on&y in the ;a*e of "hrist >John #<-#<H #3-%5,%<?. The Word of God- the !rice&ess !ossession of the chi&d of God in "hrist 9 the re)e&ation of the *ajesty and (race of the 7ather, the sa&)ation and the (&ory that is in the Son, the !o er and b&essin( that is in the S!irit, the facts in truth about hea)en and earth, sin and sa&)ation, an(e&s and de*ons, &ife and death, the future and the

<6 A Study on Grace 9 Lesson N continued !ast. See == Ti*othy 5-#3. =t is a co)enant deed of a&& the be&ie)er !ossesses in "hrist. =t is sea&ed in hea)en. These thin(s ha)e = ritten unto you that be&ie)e on the na*e of the Son of GodH that ye *ay kno that ye ha)e eterna& &ife >= John C-#5?. The be&ie)erKs safekee!in(- it is accordin( to the !ur!ose of God. God has an inheritance in the "hristian >@!hesians #-#8?. The one 4e has sa)ed 4e i&& kee!. The ho&e ar*or of God !ro)ides the *eans to stand and ithstand the e)i& day >@!hesians 3-#5,#0?. "hrist is the ar*our- our Truth, +i(hteousness, 1eace, 7aith, Sa&)ation, and the eterna& Word of God. +e&ationshi!s- ith God our 4ea)en&y 7ather, the be&ie)er beco*es a son of God in "hrist, of GodKs househo&d, under the 7atherKs tender care and infinite (race and for(i)eness. The Son re)ea&s each be&ie)er to the 7ather >'atthe ##-%0?. The !resence of the 4o&y S!irit is not disc&osed throu(h hu*an e*otions and fee&in(s. =t is rather detected by the thin(s hich 4e does. 4e that is in you is (reater than he that is in the or&d >= John <-<?. The an(e&s are *essen(ers and *inisterin( s!irits for the* ho sha&& be heirs of sa&)ation >4ebre s #-#<? ithout direct contact or any kind of fe&&o shi!. The be&ie)er is a citiEen of hea)en, re&ated to the or&d as a*bassador and itness, re!resentin( "hrist. Jesus ad)ised- Lo)e not the or&d, neither the thin(s that are in the or&d...the &ust of the f&esh, and the &ust of the eyes, and the !ride of &ife, is not of the 7ather but of the or&d. >= John %-#C,#3?. To hu*an (o)ern*ents, the !resent ti*es of the Genti&es >Luke %#-%<?. This accordin( on&y to the eBtent of GodKs !er*issi)e i&&, and to ard the rea&iEation of 4is !ur!ose. The !o ers that be are ordained of God >+o*ans #5-#,0?. To the unsa)ed- there are !eo!&e for ho* "hrist died. The reasonab&e ser)ice is to share the truth of the Gos!e& of "hrist as Sa)ior and redee*er of a&& ho are &ost and ithout ho!e in the or&d. This is the best and *ost co*!assionate thin( that can be said and done to ard any and e)ery one. The e&ect i&& hear GodKs ca&& by the S!irit, and res!ond. To the fe&&o be&ie)er, a fe&&o shi! as kinshi!, a union ith the*- as fe&&o chi&dren of the 7ather. We are to &o)e one another as "hrist has &o)ed us. >John #5-5<,5CH = John 5-#<H = "orinthians #%-%3H @!hesians C-%H = John <-0,##H 4ebre s #5-#H +o*ans #%-$,#3H "o&ossians 5-#%,#5H = 1eter 5-8,$.? Iee! the unity of the S!irit in the bond of 1eace >@!hesians <-#,5?. 2e kind, tenderhearted, for(i)in( >@!hesians <-5#,5%?. "o*fort and edify one another >= Thessa&onians C-##?. 2e c&othed ith hu*i&ity >= 1eter C-C?.

<# A Study on Grace 9 Lesson N continued Do (ood to a&&, but es!ecia&&y to the* of the househo&d of faith >Ga&atians 3-#6?. 1rayer for a&& saints >@!hesians 3-#8?. Sub*it to those o)er you in the asse*b&y and estee* the* hi(h&y >4ebre s #5-#0H = Thessa&onians C-#%,#5?. To abide in "hrist is acco*!&ished on&y by doin( 4is i&&. GodKs !o er does the enab&in(. The or&d be&ie)es that a !ersonKs su*,tota& of actions deter*ine his character, hich i&& deter*ine his destiny. This as true under the &a but is forei(n to (race, hich de!ends entire&y on (race and faith in the finished ork of "hrist on the cross. A&& the traits of true be&ie)ers are described as the fruit of the S!irit >Ga&atians C-%%,%5?. They are not found by *anKs efforts a&one, but are found in those ho a&k in the S!irit >Ga&atians C-#3?. This ha!!ens hen the be&ie)er yie&ds to the (uidance and !o er of the S!irit. The fa&&en Ada*ic nature >hu*an nature? is sin. Three *eans are tau(ht to contro& the sin,nature. T o are the !roduct of hu*an reason. The third is the re)ea&ed !ro)ision of God. One theory is eradication of the sin nature. =t has no Scri!ture to e)en su((est it. A thou(ht (i)in( *anKs reasonin( as ha)in( !o er to ru&e o)er hi*se&f. Scri!ture describes the be&ie)er as !resent in the f&esh, but under the contro& of the S!irit, hich e*!o ers the be&ie)er to resist the &usts thereof. Others !ro!ose that ru&es and re(u&ations can contro& the sin, nature. This as seen in the history of =srae& under the 'osaic La . #,C66 years of fai&ure s!eaks for itse&f. Gnder (race, the be&ie)er is brou(ht into the c&osest fe&&o shi! ith God, and constant de!endence u!on the S!irit. =t is on&y accordin( to the !ur!ose and Word of God that )ictory is !ossib&e. God &ooks on the heart. 2y (race God !ro!oses to chan(e the desires of the heart. This is the &eadin( and (uidance of the S!irit >Ga&atians C-#8?. This is under (race, not the &a >+o*ans 3-#<?. Wa&k and con)ersation inc&ude e)ery acti)ity of the chi&d of God. The character is in ard. Out of the abundance of the heart, the *outh s!eaketh, the resu&tin( acti)ities sho forth the interior s!iritua& desires. This has been described as the (ift and.or fruit of the S!irit. The S!irit uses the hu*an as the conduit or the instru*ent to ork s!iritua&&y. The *oti)e of the be&ie)er is to *aintain the sensiti)ity and attitude of coo!eration ith and yie&dedness and de!endence on the S!irit. This is to be inte&&i(ent and co*!ared to the di)ine idea& dai&y. Grace teachin(s are (uides and !rinci!&es. One- the !erfect &a of &iberty. The chi&d of God is free fro* e)ery as!ect of &a , and the *ora& codes and con)entions of the or&d. As a citiEen of hea)en, he is under (race. Stand fast therefore in the &iberty here ith "hrist hath *ade

<% A Study on Grace 9 Lesson N continued us free, and not be entan(&ed a(ain ith the yoke of bonda(e. >Ga&atians C-#.?. Liberty is defined as the condition of not bein( under the do*inion of others, or restrictin( circu*stances. 7reedo* to fo&&o oneKs o n choices and !reference. God has !ro)ided a sufficient safe(uard and (uide of the di)ine idea& in the heart. 7or it is God hich orketh in you both to i&& and to do of 4is (ood !&easure. >1hi&i!!ians %-#5.? God a&so !ro)ides the !o er for its eBecution. The chi&d of God is free fro* tryin( to !&ease God by nor*a& >f&esh&y? hu*an effort to fo&&o a set of or&d&y ru&es >e)en ithin a church?. @ach be&ie)er is ca&&ed u!on to (ro and *ature in their faith and beha)ior. This &eads to *ore and *ore a areness and de!endence u!on the ind e&&in( 4o&y S!irit to s!iritua&&y &ead, (uide, direct, and e*!o er the be&ie)er to the !ath of the idea& chi&d of God, as eBe*!&ified in "hrist. As the (&orious rea&* of hea)en is tota&&y en&i(htened, so the chi&d of God beco*es increasin(&y en&i(htened ithin. This shines forth in ords and actions, hich in turn shine forth the &i(ht of the truth of the Gos!e& of "hrist. The on&y eBce!tion is the &a of eB!ediency. This describes a *anner of &ife ada!ted to the i(norance and !rejudices of *en to ho* the be&ie)er is a itness for his Lord, to &ead the* to "hrist, or to edify in the faith. Thus *anKs &a s or custo*s *ay be fo&&o ed >if (ood or neutra&? in order to a)oid !ersona& dan(er or injury, and in order to reach out to those in such situations. The &a of &o)e. To reach out to the unsa)ed, and consideration of the conscience of a eaker brother. 1au& describes it- be a&& thin(s to a&& *en, that by a&& *eans so*e *i(ht be sa)ed. The u&ti*ate eBa*!&e is the co*!&ete sacrifice of "hrist for a&& !eo!&e. The 4o!e of G&ory and "hrist ithin. This is the *ystery not re)ea&ed in the O&d Testa*ent, but re)ea&ed in the ;e . This is the !resent a(e of the !&an and !ur!ose of the (race of God in "hrist. The church of hich "hrist is the head, and 4is body is the *e*bers. As such, the *e*ber is !art of a&& that "hrist has e)er done, of a&& that 4e is doin(, and a&& that 4e i&& e)er do. The *ystery of unity inc&udes each indi)idua& as fore)er co*!&ete in "hrist. 4e is the sho in( forth of a&& that God is, and at the sa*e ti*e, the sho in( forth of a&& that the be&ie)er is in 4i*. "hrist unites God to *an, and *an to God. 'an no sees God in "hrist, and God sees sa)ed *en in "hrist. The ind e&&in( "hrist and 4is !resence *ay be discerned. This is an assurance and e)idence of eterna& !osition and e)ery !ossession in "hrist. This is the ho!e of (&ory hen in that *o*ent 4e sha&& a!!ear, ca&&in( us to 4i*. >"o&ossians 5-5,<H John #<-#,5.? The be&ie)er has been sa)ed out of the or&d, no &on(er a !artaker of it 9 !ast, !resent, or future. =ts !ast is sin and death. The !resent is confusion under the !er*itted ru&e of satan. The

<5 A Study on Grace 9 Lesson N continued future i&& be jud(*ent. The !eo!&e on earth i&& be the di)ine *ethod of dea&in( ith the* by &a in the 'i&&ennia& Iin(do*. Out u&ti*ate destination is the eterna& state in the ne hea)ens and ne earth, in the !resence of God and "hrist. A*en.