Pharisees and Legalism

In continuing our thoughts on the Pharisees, their intentions, and where they went wrong, we can’t help but touch on the subject of legalism. What does the Bible say about being legalistic, and what does the term really mean? Legalism is defined as the view that good works earn salvation. It is not concerned about believing in a law, obeying God, and adhering to His statutes, but rather legalism about one’s attitude toward that obedience. Legalism concerns the heart.

Law-Abiding Versus Legalism
The Bible does teach that we should believe in God’s law and the importance thereof. Romans 3:25-27 speaks of a law of faith under which New Testament Christians live, and chapter 8:1-2 of the same book also refers to the “law of the Spirit of life.” I Corinthians 9:20-21 has Paul writing that he is under law to Christ, and Hebrews 8:10 reveals that God’s law should be written upon our hearts. Finally, James 2:12 says we are judged by a law of liberty. There is no question in the minds of the New Testament writers that God has a law, and it is not legalistic to believe in the rule of that law.

Furthermore, it is not legalistic to adhere to that law. Matthew 7:21 records Jesus saying that one must obey the Father to please Him. Hebrews 5:7-8 makes reference to Christ Himself being obedient to the Father’s will, saving those who obey Him. James 1:25 calls on us to look into the perfect law of God and then actually obey it.

In John 12:42, Jesus is among people scared to confess belief in Christ, and, in verse 48, He says that His words will judge those who reject Him. II John 9 claims that whoever does not abide in Christ’s teachings does not have God. II Thessalonians 1:7-8 contains perhaps the most severe warning: “…inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” It is not enough to simply acknowledge God. He has a law that must be followed, and it is not legalistic to believe disobedience will separate us from Him.

Legalism Versus Humble Obedience
Legalism is believing that man can be saved apart from God’s grace. The first ten verses of Ephesians 2 addresses the helpless nature from which God saved us, being dead in trespasses, and having been saved through grace. That salvation cannot come from ourselves. It is from God. Romans 3:23-24 reinforce this, that we are all helpless before God and that we are saved by grace through the propitiation of our Lord Christ. He is our mercy seat. To believe we can be saved through anything but God’s kindness, love, and mercy, runs contrary to God’s word.

While we must be obedient servants, we cannot earn salvation through that obedience. We obey because of hope and salvation in Christ. Romans 5:76-11 reminds us of how undeserving we are of Christ’s sacrifice and salvation in Him. While we were enemies, God reconciled us to Him, and nothing we can do could bridge that gap of ourselves. Luke 17:7-10 reminds us that a servant’s work is never done and to view our service to God as no more that that which we should do because of our role as servants. Ephesians 2:8-9 and Titus 3:4-5 remind us that obedience is nothing to glory in, for our service is a response to mercy. Obedience is not about being deserving; it is a grateful response to grace.

Harmonizing Law and Grace
We cannot believe we earn our salvation. We cannot remove grace and mercy from our salvation. All pride is erased, for our good works do not come from ourselves, but they come from the will of God, works for humble servants to gratefully perform. Luke 18:9-14 tells the story of two supplicants before God. Both believe in God’s law and believe it must be obeyed. The difference between the Pharisee and the tax collector is one of attitude. The Pharisee feels God should favor him because of his meritorious works. The tax collector submits humbly.

This then is how we harmonize law and grace. The proper response to law is obedience. The proper response to grace is faith and trust. His law and His grace are inseparable. John 1:17 tells us grace and truth both come from Christ. Acts 14:3 records Paul and Barnabas preaching a law of grace, and chapter 20:24 of the same book quotes Paul speaking of “the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” We are saved by grace, and we must be obedient to His word, trusting wholly in Him and sacrificing all reliance on self in that obedience and in accepting His grace.

lesson by Tim Smelser

Jesus, the Loving Healer

Mark 5:21-24, Jesus is approached by a man named Jairus whose daughter is fatally ill. While Jesus travels to Jairus’ home, in verses 25-34, a woman, possibly a hemophiliac or suffering from a form of plague, touches Him for healing. For twelve years, nothing had helped her. In fact, physician intervention had only made her condition worse, but she expresses faith that Jesus can heal her. When she admits to touching His garments, Jesus blesses her for her faith. From here, Jesus proceeds to Jairus’ home to raise his daughter from death.

Jesus responds to this one seeking Him out in sincerity and faith. He responds to nothing more than a touch. He seeks her out, not to ridicule her or chastise her, but to commend her and bless her for her faith. He responds in gentleness and love. His identification and affirmation is a result of her sincere search for answers in Him. Out of the thousands who possibly come into contact with Jesus that day, she reaches out with faith and intent, and He takes notice of her.

We experience pain and hopelessness in our lives at times. Like this nameless woman, we should seek Christ out in sincerity of faith when we face pain.

• Are we as touched by His love as He is touched by our plight? Romans 5:6 tells us Jesus died for us when we were weak and struggling in sin.
• Do we respond to Him as He responds to us? Matthew 9:36, Matthew 14:14, and Matthew 20:34 all record Jesus’ compassion for those around Him.

His love and His word reveal us for what we truly are – lost and in desperate need of a Savior. Hebrews 4:12 tells us His word lays our hearts open before Him. We have but to reach out for Him in sincere faith and in obedience. We affirm Him so He may affirm us as in Matthew 10:32 and Matthew 25:34. Jesus knows our pain, our sorrow, and our frustrations. He knows our needs. He is our loving and gentle Healer. Will we be like the woman of Matthew 5 who reaches out for His mercy and favor?

lesson by Tim Smelser

A Hymn of Grace

As far back as we can follow God’s people, we can see singing as a natural expression of praise. Moses and Israel sing to Jehovah upon the Exodus; the book of Psalms is a collection of songs the Israelites used in their worship; Mary sings a song praising God when she learns of her pregnancy with Jesus; and we see songs in the New Testament as a way of teaching and edifying one another. While Paul may not have originally intended this passage as such, Ephesians 1:3-14 is traditionally considered a hymn of grace, and Paul reminds us of God’s good works toward us through this song.

The Three Verses of Ephesians 1:3-14

• Verses 3-6 in our Bibles is considered the first verse or stanza of the song. This passage considers what it must have taken for God to take on flesh to be our redeeming sacrifice. It is a reflection of God’s love demonstrated in Christ. From Him all blessing s flow, and we praise Him for that grace.
• Verses 7-12 comprise the second stanza. This passage considers Jesus’ role in redemption. It is praise to the Son for being the one to come and lay down himself so we may have an inheritance of salvation. In Him we have forgiveness and redemption with the shedding of His blood, and we praise Him for that sacrifice.
• Verses 13-14 comprise the final stanza, focusing on the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit seals our promise and guarantees our inheritance, and we praise the Spirit for His work.

Conclusion

All of these stanzas end with glorification of God, embodied in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Our lives are to glorify our God and be reflections of His glory. We praise Him for His work, for His inheritance, for His sacrifice, for His grace. He has done so much for us. How can we give less back than a life of praising Him and sacrificing ourselves for His glory?

lesson by Tim Smelser

Our Gifts to God

What kind of gift do you give someone who is hard to buy for? What do you give someone who has everything? We often ask ourselves these questions when special occasions arise. There is always someone who we have no idea what to give them. How does this apply to what we return to God. Romans 6:20-32 gives us a glimpse of what God has given us and the cost He undertakes on our behalf. Much of the Bible records God’s plan to respond to and negate the effects of sin – even including coming to this world as man to be offered up as a perfect sacrifice, atoning us from sin.

It’s natural to want to give something back to One who has provided so much for us. What do we give in return? God provides all things. He created all things. What can we give Him that He doesn’t already have?

What We Can Give God

• Our Love. God does not inherently have our love, nor does He force us to give Him our love. We can choose to accept Him or reject Him. We can intellectually “love” God because we feel expected to, and Matthew 22:34 does say to love is the greatest commandment – loving God and our fellow man. THis is not a compulsive love, though. It comes from our gratitude. I John 4:19 reminds us our love is a response to His.
• Our Obedience. Just accepting God’s gift entails obedience. He gives us the ability to choose whether or not we will submit to Him. Titus 3:4-8 reminds that Christ came, not because our righteousness, but because of our inability to save ourselves. The natural reaction, the natural gift, for such sacrifice is obedience. It is a gift of appreciation.
• Our Worship. Romans 12:1 calls us living sacrifices in our worship. This can be a collective gift or an individual gift. We can show our appreciation together, offering something more substantial in our unity. It is something He wants of us that only we can provide.

Conclusion

We should be concerned that we are not selfish in the gifts we give God. We can know what He wants from us, and He gave us the best He had to offer in His gift of salvation. We should be willing to give Him our best in return, and we can be confident that He will accept our gift and appreciate our efforts when we do our best in our love, obedience, and worship. Psalm 116:12 asks what the psalmist can do to repay God’s gifts. He offers love, obedience, and sacrificial worship. He praises the Lord. What can we give God today? We can give of ourselves, offering our gift to a God who has given so much to us.

lesson by Ben Lanius

Choosing Grace Over Harm

When the Philistines capture the Ark of the Covenant in I Samuel 5-6, disaster and misfortune follows it as they move it from one location until another, until the nation concludes they must return the Ark to its proper owners. It takes seven months for them to reach this conclusion, and death, rats, tumors, and boils follow the Ark this whole time. Why does it take them so long to decide they are finished enduring these hardships? Is it pride; stubbornness; rebellion? There is no knowing, but chances are that pride had something to do with it.

When we look into our own lives, we can recognize things that are harmful to us spiritually. We can identify things we hold onto regardless of the negative influence they have on our lives. It can take a long time to get these harmful influences out of our lives. Sometimes, we are no better than these Philistines – holding fast to something that is harming us more and more despite the damage.

Self Destructive Stubbornness
I Samuel 18 contains some of the first hints of Saul’s decline as king. He had made mistakes before this chapter, but this chapter shows a shift in Saul’s character, consumed with jealousy and bitterness. This animosity grows to the point of tearing apart his family and leaving his nation vulnerable. This hatred becomes a monster in his life, occupying his time and energy, and he allows it to grow in its destructive power rather than eliminating it from his life.

We know the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 where Abel offers God a more excellent sacrifice. In verse 5, Cain festers in anger; he allows bitterness to rot within him. God questions Cain in verse 6 regarding his bitterness and warns against the dangers of allowing these feelings to grow. He tells Cain it is within his power to rule over his rage and rid it from his life. Instead, Cain stoops to murder to fulfill his anger.

Turning Instead to Grace
The Philistines, Saul, and Cain contain three parallel events that illustrate individuals that hold onto something to their own destruction. In contrast, in II Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul speaks of an elusive thorn of the flesh. We do not know what this thorn is, whether it is a physical ailment, pangs of conscience, reminders of severed friendships; but we do know it wears on the apostle and gives him pain. He repeatedly pleads for its removal, but God responds that His power is completed in Paul’s struggle.

In times of anxiety or strain, we often draw closer to God and seek His power in our lives. Unlike Saul‘s and Cain’s circumstances, this is beyond Paul’s control, but, unlike those examples, Paul endures. Furthermore, God expresses the completion of His grace in the face of this trial. Time and again, we can see God’s grace alive in the life of Paul as well as in our own.

As a final example, we have Peter denying the Lord three times in Matthew 26:69-75. He weeps bitterly when he realizes what he has done, but Jesus has grace on Peter in John 21:15-19, and Peter does not allow this regret to eat him up. I Corinthians 15:3 records that Jesus appears to Peter even before this event. He is one of the first to Lord seeks out. What did that conversation look like? Why would Jesus seek Peter so quickly? Regardless, we know the man Peter grows into despite the pain his denial might have caused, and this is possible for Him because of Jesus’ grace.

There might be things in our lives we consider thorns. There may be things that hurt us spiritually and drag us away from God. Like Peter and Paul, though, we can press on to our goal, forgetting the things behind and reaching forward to the hope laid before us. We can be perfected in God’s love and grace if we are willing to put our pasts behind us and seek a future in Him.

lesson by Tim Smelser

Seeing Ourselves in Job's Friends

In the book of Job, three friends approach him in whom we might find ourselves. It is a book about an individual who is referenced by God, along with Noah and Daniel, in Ezekiel 14:13-14 as righteous. James 5:10-11 refers to the patience of Job alongside that of God’s prophets. We know him to be an exemplary individual who undergoes tremendous trials, never once defiling God with his lips. His friends, though, do not see him as such. When they come to him, he has lost everything – his children, his possessions, even his health.

In Job 2:11, his friends come – Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They come to comfort him, but they do not even recognize him when they arrive. They mourn him as if dead, and words fail them. They sit with Job for seven days without speaking. They see his grief and comfort him with no more than their presence. Unfortunately, their predispositions eventually lead them into error.

Seeking Truth Versus Proving Assumptions

Can we see ourselves in these individuals? These friends are believers in God. They know God’s attitude toward and judgement of sin. We would call them religious, and, when they speak, they touch on some truths. Zophar, in Job 11:7-9, demonstrates a good perception of God. However, he and his friends ultimately draw the wrong conclusions regarding Job. In contrast, Job’s attitude and perception changes as the book progresses. He seeks truth where his friends seek to prove their theological positions, unchanging to a fault.

These friends believe that faithfulness results in wealth. They are preaching an ancient gospel of prosperity, and they are unwilling to challenge their own assumptions in the face of the evidence before them. They also believe that illness results from sin. In Luke 13 and John 9, Jesus rebukes those who believe tragedy necessitates sin. In Job 42:7-9, God rebukes the friends for their steadfast misconceptions and tells them to ask His servant Job to sacrifice on behalf of their sins. Again, the distinction is that Job has been seeking truth where Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar have been trying to prove a point.

In Job 4:7, Eliphaz is basically saying Job is getting what he deserves, and Job 5:8 records this friend saying Job needs to seek God and accept His chastening. In verses 17-19, he calls on Job to repent, assuming sin in Job’s life, defending his position based on a dream. Bildad, in Job 8:1, offers the same theory: Job must repent and be pure to remove his troubles, appealing to their forefathers for justification. Zophar, in Job 11:1-6, goes as far as saying that God hasn’t made Job suffer enough. Again, these comforters have begun heatedly attacking Job. Because they feel the need to prove their points, they attack the one they came to comfort.

Miserable Comforters

In Job 6:14 records Job saying one that withholds kindness forsakes the Almighty, and, in Job 12:4-5, he expresses how easy it is to look down on those less fortunate. We fail to appreciate the difficulties of others. In Job 16:1-6, Job calls his friends miserable comforters, and he draws a contrast between them and himself. When we see others suffering, do we catch ourselves saying things like, “It’s their own fault?” “They got what they deserved?” “They have no one to blame but themselves?”

In Matthew 9:36, Jesus is moved with compassion when he is faces with the multitudes. Matthew 20:24 sees sickness and disease, healing those who come to Him. We should be more like Jesus’ and less like Job’s friends. We should be sympathetic to those around us. We should look on misfortune in kindness as Job encourages in chapter 6:14 of his book. Like Job’s friends, we can get the facts right while failing to bring others closer to God. We can be better friends, better comforters, and better representatives of God if we can remember to show kindness to those around us.

lesson by Jim Smelser

Certain Unalienable Rights

The preamble of the United States Declaration of Independence contains one of the most famous phrases in modern political philosophy:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

By calling these rights unalienable, the authors of the Declaration – primarily Thomas Jefferson – are saying these are rights inherit in the nature of our species. They are not contingent upon any societal codes, customs, or beliefs. This concept of natural rights is largely derived from, though not exclusive to, the political philosophies of John Locke who, in Two Treatises of Government, writes: "no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions." In the Declaration, the concept of personal property as a right is changed to the pursuit of happiness – Jefferson knowing well that the fledgling government might have to seize property in upcoming battles.

Using the concept of deity to stir the masses, Jefferson (whose beliefs excluded any notion of a God that would intervene in human affairs) writes that these rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are given by our Creator, and it’s so ingrained into our cultural doctrine that it is assumed to be true, but I want to take some time in this lesson to examine what the scriptures have to say regarding our rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Certain Unalienable Rights

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The Right to Life
There is a lot of discussion around the concept of one’s right to life and what that expression means, but, historically, our nation’s leaders have applied it to the preservation of one’s own life at all costs – that our lives our completely and wholly our own. In Matthew 16:24, however, Jesus encourages us to take up our crosses to follow Him – that is to put self and self-interest to death. He goes on to warn that those who are unwilling to make that sacrifice jeopardize their own souls. In fact, Paul says we are purchased by God in Ephesians 1:13-14. We are no longer our own. God holds all rights of ownership over us. Reinforcing that point, Galatians 2:20 has Paul saying he has given himself up, and now Christ lives in him.

Coming to God on His terms involves sacrificing self, giving up that unalienable right of self, and turning our lives over to Him. Our lives are then no longer a right, but they become an opportunity to share God’s grace with others. We give up self-interest to put God and others before ourselves. We no longer look at our lives as our right, as our own possessions to do with as we will. We count our lives as loss so may may lay hold of the eternal life spoken of in I Timothy 6:12.

The Right to Liberty
The Christians of the First Century lived under very oppressive conditions, but the New Testament writers seldom address these conditions. In I Timothy 6:1-2, Paul instructs Christian bondservants (read: slaves) to honor their masters. He even goes on to describe conduct if a Christian owns another Christian. Romans 13:1-7 encourages Christians to submit to their government and pay their taxes, and remember this in the context of Roman rule – a dictatorship with oppressive tax codes and wicked leaders. Even those who would be undergoing persecution in Revelation 3:10 are encouraged to simply endure.

The liberty of the Bible has nothing to do with equal representation, freedom of speech, or taxation. God is concerned with our spiritual liberty. Romans 6:6 calls us slaves to sin without the redeeming blood of Jesus, but verse 7 says those who have died with Christ – that is, submitted to baptism in Him – have been freed from the bondage of sin. Sin and death rule over us no more than over our Messiah, and we obtain this liberty, not through revolution or protests, but by looking into and following the perfect law of liberty according to James 1:25. II Corinthians 3:17 simply states that, where the Lord is, there is liberty. Our spiritual liberty is not a right. Rather it is a gift we obtain through God’s mercy.

The Pursuit of Happiness
When we seek the joys of this life, we are seeking the temporary. We are seeking that which will pass away. I John 2:15-17 warns us against loving the things of this world, and Matthew 6:19 advises against laying up treasures here on this world. Verse 24 states we cannot serve God and our riches simultaneously, and Jesus goes on in the next several verses to say we should let go of the worries surrounding our earthly possessions. While I do believe God allows us to be happy in this life, He does not promise happiness, nor does He encourage us to seek worldly happiness. After all, such endeavors did not get Solomon very far.

After living life to its fullest, the wise ruler of Israel concludes, in Ecclesiastes 12:13, that true fulfillment is found in submitting to God. Returning to the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says to seek God’s kingdom first, before all other pursuits in Matthew 6:33, and He calls on us to place our hopes and our hearts in heaven back in verses 20-21. In Colossians 3:1-3, Paul says we have died to the things of this world. We should then be seeking things above.

Conclusion
As hard as it might be for us to hear, God does not guarantee our lives, our liberties, or our happiness as rights in this world. These things are not self-evident, but what is self-evident is that we have a Savior who died on the cross so we may have something better than this life has to offer. With our eyes on that cross, we count this life as loss so we may have eternal life with our Father. We seek liberty from sin, obtainable regardless of the state of our personal liberties. We forsake pursuing the things of this world so we may pursue things above. In this, we gain more than any worldly government can provide according to Philippians 3:20-21. We become citizens of God’s heavenly kingdom, conformed in His perfect image.

lesson by Robert Smelser

God in the Old & New Testaments

Is there a difference between God of the Old Testament and God of the New Testament? In many minds, there seems to be a large contrast between God’s character between these two covenants. The God of the New seems loving and kind while the God of the Old is vengeful and wrathful. We draw a line between His character on each side of the cross when, in truth, we serve the same God as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Grace and Mercy in the Old and New Testaments
God of the Old Testament is just as rich in grace, mercy, and love. Take the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:3 for example. Abel brings a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, and Cain’s soul is threatened by his jealousy and anger. In loving-kindness, God takes the time to address Cain. He reasons with Cain regarding his conduct and encourages the brother to turn his mind away from sin and toward his Lord. He expresses confidence that Cain can overcome this temporary setback. He demonstrates is grace, mercy, and love in his interaction with Cain.

Time and again, during Israel’s journey to the Promised Land, God shows kindness to His rebellious people. Even at Sinai, when God sets out to destroy the Israelites, Moses appeals to His mercy, and God relents. Even when the people falter outside the borders of Canaan, God sets out to cleanse His people rather than annihilate them. Time and again, He remains merciful. Psalm 78:37-38 illustrates all God has done for His people despite their unfaithfulness. He forgives their iniquity. He turns away His anger. Psalm 86:15, 103:7, and 145:8 all record David praising God’s grace, mercy, and patience toward His people.

Jonah is another example of God’s mercy and love. Here we have a profit rebelling against God and attempting to deny God’s grace to those he despises. When he finally arrives in Nineveh, Job’s message is reluctant at best, but the people repent in Jonah 3:5. God demonstrates mercy to the Assyrians where Jonah craves destruction, and God is merciful toward His reluctant servant in saving the prophet time and again despite his disobedience.

Luke 1:49 has Miriam praising God for His mercy and grace. Later in the chapter, her husband praises God for the birth of John in the tender mercy of God’s plan. Both of these recognize their place in God’s plan of mercy. Finally, II Peter 3:9 tells of God’s desire that all His creation come to repentance. He is patient, allowing as many as possible to come to Him. His grace and mercy is visible from cover to cover of our Bibles.

Judgment in the Old and New Testaments
What about God’s punishments? Adam and Eve are immediately punished beginning in Genesis 3:16. They are cursed and driven from the garden due to their disobedience. Leviticus 10 records the destruction of Nadab and Abihu when they worship God improperly. In II Samuel 6:6-7, Uzzah is immediately killed when he lays his hand upon the Ark despite Uzzah’s apparent intentions. These acts are how we characterize the God of the Old Testament. These judgments are swift and decisive.

In Acts 5, we have a couple named Ananias and Sapphira. Both of these fall dead in their attempts to lie to the apostles. Here in the New Testament, there is a punishment very similar to what we see in Leviticus 10. He demonstrates consistency from the Old into the New.

Serving a Loving and Vengeful God
God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Hebrews 3:7 and 3:15, the author calls on his audience to obey God’s word today. He repeats this warning in chapter 4:7. He quotes a Psalm of David who was referring to an event that had happened centuries prior to his reign. It was as applicable to God’s people in A.D. 60 as it was to His people in 1,500 B.C., and it still applies to us today. Psalms 103:7 calls God’s mercy from everlasting to everlasting, and James 5:10-11 uses the Old Testament prophets to illustrate God’s mercy and kindness.

How then does God’s punishment fit into this pattern of a merciful God. In each of these cases, the victim was judged based on outright disobedience. None of these simply made understandable mistakes. In Leviticus 10:3, Moses reminds Aaron of the need to honor God when worshipping Him, and Aaron hold his peace. Nadab and Abihu dishonor God. Uzzah may have been in his circumstance due to someone else’s plan, but he and his companions were transporting the Ark in a way that was not part of God’s plan. Finally, Ananias and Sapphira attempt to manipulate their apparent godliness for their own glory and honor.

In these events, God tells us that we should never “play church.” He demonstrates that our approach to Him is on His term rather than ours, and He teaches us to value our religion and our relationship to Him. The lesson to us is to honor and respect the mercy and kindness God has shown us. He is full of grace and mercy to those who approach Him in humility and obedience, but He rejects those who reject Him. In Isaiah 9, the prophets speaks of God’s anger at His people’s disobedience, but His hand remains outstretched. He is willing to forgive, but we have to make the determination today that we will take His love seriously and treat it as something valuable to us.

lesson by Tim Smelser

Assurance in Grace

Last week, we considered the all-sufficiency of God’s grace in supplying our needs to do His work and in delivering us from sin. The challenge in talking about grace is that of extremes – either we view ourselves as saved by grace without condition or effort on our part; or we view any mention of God’s grace as softness or an attempt to absolve ourselves of responsibility. It is a simple topic that carries great difficulty. It’s hard to wrap our minds around all that God has done for us, and we sometimes downplay the grace God has demonstrated toward us.

In A.D. 50, Rome captured the isle of Britain and subjugated its ruler. While standing before Claudius Caesar, he calls on the Caesar to spare him as a symbol of his clemency. Claudius agrees. Back in Psalm 51, David implores God for grace after his sins involving Bathsheba and her deceased husband Uriah. Likewise, he calls on God’s mercy as a symbol of His clemency. Too often, we don’t allow God’s grace to be that symbol in our lives that demonstrates God’s mercy to others.

Grace and Justification
In Romans 5:6, Paul begins a discourse on God’s salvation coming despite our undeserving state. His point is that we are justified by the blood of Jesus, but He opens his argument by stating we are justified by faith. In Romans 3:28, he again states our faith justifies us. James 2:24 argues that obedient works have to be coupled with that faith by which we are justified, and Paul, in Romans 3:23-24, asserts that grace has a role in this justification. There is a balance. All of these are involved in our justification, but God’s grace is what makes all of this possible.

We sometimes put so much emphasis on the ritual, that we assume our justification comes purely through completing the steps. The idea of grace is one of royalty bestowing a blessing upon an undeserving servant. Deity stoops down to grant kindness upon us when we are undeserving and unable to earn that favor.

What God Owes Us
In Romans 4:1, Paul asks about the works of Abraham. What justified Abraham, faith or works? He concludes that Abraham’s favor cannot be based solely on works. Otherwise, God is in debt to Abraham. As great as that man was, as often as he obeyed God’s commands, he has no basis upon which he could pray to God. We cannot fall into the trap of the Pharisee who prays to God as if God should feel lucky to have us.

We gather to glorify God, but our Creator is not indebted to us because of our praise. Instead, we should be like the humble publican who returns to his house justified. Without grace, nothing would merit our standing before God. Look again at Romans 5:8. “While we were yet sinners…” Royalty bends down and bestows grace upon us.

Grace and Salvation
In Mark 2:13, religious leaders of Israel condemn Jesus for associating with sinners, but Jesus rebukes them for not recognizing the need to reach out to those who need salvation. Like we don’t save doctors visits until we are well, the message of salvation is not for those who are already in His fold. However, we are often reluctant to share the gospel message with those we find unappealing. Look at the example of Jesus. The physician goes to those who are in need.

With all of Paul’s works and sacrifices, with all his efforts to spread the word, he recognizes that he cannot attain salvation alone. Philippians 3:12 records his knowledge that he must always press forward on the grace of Jesus. He expresses assurance in God’s ability to save him. He is not arrogant like the Pharisee of Jesus’ parable, but he does have confidence in the power of his God to save him. In verse 8, he counts all things as worthless when compared to gaining Christ, not trusting himself but trusting his Savior.

Living in Assurance
II Timothy 4:7 again expresses the assurance Paul has in Christ. He recognizes the imperfections in his life, but he anticipates a crown of righteousness through God’s grace. God’s grace makes us heirs of His despite our imperfections and our flaws. I John 1:6-7 calls on us to choose the walk of our lives. Walking in the light, conforming our lives to His will, gains us cleansing through grace.

Finally, in II Timothy 1:7, Paul says that God has granted us a spirit of love and power in self-discipline. We can know God’s power and His love when we give ourselves over to Him. His grace is open to us despite our undeserving state. We have but to obediently submit to His conditions of accepting that grace.

lesson by Tim Smelser

God's Sufficient Grace

When we think of grace or gracefulness, we might think of a performer, a dancer, or a well-spoken orator. We might consider these people graceful. God’s grace, though, is more than appearance. It is more than what we perceive. God’s grace is often coupled with patience, longsuffering, and mercy. It is less about how God handles or presents Himself than it is about how He interacts with us.

II Corinthians 12:7-10 records Paul’s pleading with God regarding a physical affliction – a thorn of his flesh. God answers that His grace is sufficient for Paul regardless of his physical suffering. Like Paul, God’s grace is also sufficient for us. While suffering comes from the devil, grace is from God.

All Sufficient Grace
God’s grace is self-sufficient. I Corinthians 2:1-5 and chapter 3:6-15 tell of Paul’s efforts spreading God’s word in Corinth. Paul attributes any success from his work to God, and Paul speaks of a foundation built according to God’s grace. He preaches only what God reveals to him. We have sufficient grace in God’s word, and we need turn to no other for the grace of His message.

Grace is sufficient to open opportunities to us. II Peter 3:9 tells of God’s desire for all to turn to Him. He provides opportunities for His people to reach out to the lost. Numerous time in Acts, unlikely opportunities present themselves to God’s followers. These serve as examples of how God’s grace opens doors. He has given His word to all mankind, and we recognize the grace of that word when we reach out to share it with others.

In His grace, God looks over our needs so we can focus on His work. Philippians 4:10-20 records Paul expressing gratitude to those Christians who helped meet his needs as he traveled in his ministry. He also demonstrates gratitude to God who will continue to support them in their generosity. God finds ways to let us do His work.

All Saving Grace
God’s grace is sufficient to save anyone. Ephesians 2:8-10 speaks of our salvation through grace and our inability to earn that salvation without God’s intervention. Paul calls us God’s workmanship prepared to do His works. He wants us to come to Him, and nothing we have done can keep us separated from Him. His grace can span the gulf of our sins. All He asks is for our faith and obedience. When we submit ourselves to his will, we open ourselves to His grace – grace sufficient to cover our sins, ease our sufferings, and open doors of opportunity to do the work of our Lord.

lesson by Alan Miller

Issumagijoujungnainermik

Matthew 18:21 is a passage we often turn to when considering forgiveness. Despite Jesus’ teachings on forgiveness, however, we want to add our own conditions. “I’ll forgive if they ask for it.” “I’ll forgive up to a certain point.” “I’ll forgive if I feel like it.” This lesson, we’re going to look at some scriptures that govern forgiveness, and these scriptures will require us to adjust our attitudes and actions regarding forgiveness.

Gaining a Brother
In Matthew 18:21, Peter asks how often he should forgive if a brother sins against him. He uses an expression that infers a serious violation or trespass, and he places the burden of forgiveness on himself. In response, and he tells a parable of a servant in terrible debt to his master. This servant seeks forgiveness while is unwilling to forgive another in debt to him. Jesus makes a point that we are to be forgiving as we want our Father to be forgiving.

The goal, in Matthew 18:15, is to gain a brother. Prior to Peter’s question, Jesus is encouraging His followers to entreat one another when wronged. This is not regarding a disagreement or hurt feelings. This is nothing minor. This is a serious trespass, and Jesus does not instruct us to be passive. There is no waiting for our brother or sister to come to us. We approach him or her, and we engage in forgiveness.

Forgiving as God Forgives
Matthew 18:33 cites mercy as the basis of our forgiveness. We are merciful because we have been shown mercy. Verse 35 warns that God will not forgive those unwilling to forgive. Matthew 6:12 echoes this sentiment when Jesus models prayer for His disciples. Luke 6:35-37 says God is kind and merciful toward the undeserving, and Jesus encourages us to demonstrate mercy. The strict conditions we put on forgiveness will be put upon us by God. Finally, Mark 11:25 warns us to forgive others in our prayers before asking for our own forgiveness. We need to forgive so we may be forgiven.

What attitude do we hold in forgiveness? How do we act? Are we like children who are forced to apologize by our parents? Jesus is forgiving. He is compassionate. He is merciful. God granted us mercy forgiveness before we asked for it and while we are undeserving. If we are to be holy as God is holy, if we are to be sons of our Father. Think of Esau forgiving Jacob and Joseph forgiving his brothers. Think of David forgiving Saul. Are we as compassionate and merciful?

Issumagijoujungnainermik
Leviticus 19:18 is cited by Jesus as one of the great commandments, and the first part of this verse warns God’s people against grudges or seeking vengeance. Grudges come all too easy, and God takes pains to turn His people from this habit. In Mark 6:19, Herod has John beheaded because of a grudge Herodias bore. Grudges wrap us up and consume us. It takes time, work, and energy to maintain these harsh feelings, and this is time, work, and energy we should be giving to the Lord instead. We need to be able to let our grudges go and move on. They causes us to hurt, to grow angry, to grow bitter. They draw us away from God.

Issumagijoujungnainermik is a compound Eskimo word that roughly means “unable to think about it anymore.” It is a word missionaries used to describe God’s forgiveness to the Eskimos, and it is a fitting description of how we should forgive. Our forgiveness should be compassionate and merciful. Love should take the place of grudges, allowing us to be in a right relationship with our fellow Christians and with our God.

lesson by Tim Smelser

Taste & See That the Lord is Good

In the first part of Psalm 34, the psalmist calls upon us to taste and see that the Lord is good in verse 8, an odd expression to us. This is while David is fleeing from Saul for his life, and he ends up among the Philistines in I Samuel 21:10-12. He goes from one bad situation to another, and he realizes that he must turn to God if he is to survive to be king. During this time, he writes Psalm 34.

David calls for deliverance in the first four verses, and the later part of the chapter is focused on those who would come to his aid. David calls himself a poor man when the Lord helps him, and this verse leads into verse 8. In this analogy, how does our relationship with God relate to our tastes?

The Taste of God’s Goodness.

• Often, when we want food, we want it soon. I John 4:13-17 encourages that God wants us to lean on Him, to rely on Him. He is there any time we need Him.
• Additionally, we desire fresh food when we hunger. I Corinthians 4:16-18 gives us a refreshing message of the hope in God. Eternity waits for us in Him.
• We want food that fills us. John 6:35 records Jesus calling Himself the bread of life, giving a message of spiritual and eternal fulfillment, a quenching of our hunger and thirst.
• We sometimes fear trying something new. We have to give up some control when we submit ourselves to a new experience, Proverbs 3:1-12 encourages us to give spiritual control to God. It can be scary, but He assures that He provides for us.
• The best meals in life are often free. Romans 6:20-23 calls us free from sin, receiving fruits of sanctification. His gift to us is free if we but submit to Him and give Him control.

Sometimes we like to smell our food before taking a bite. It may guard us from risking something we don’t like, but Psalm 34:8 blesses the one who simply trusts in God. He praises the man who partakes of God’s goodness freely and without hesitation.


Confidence in God
Consider Psalm 18, which Paul writes later in his life. Can we call God our refuge or our rock? Can we face death and destruction with God at our sides? Do we call to Him in our distress? God hears us. He knows when our hearts need Him the most. In this chapter, David trusts the strength of the Lord, the forgiveness of the Lord, and the security of the Lord. Can we express this same confidence? David says he will praise God before the nations for the salvation he gains in Him.

How are we experiencing God’s goodness? Are we just smelling, just sampling, or are we completely giving ourselves over to that hope? God invites us to experience all He has to offer, but, in doing so, we must completely give ourselves over to Him.

lesson by Donn Koonce

Grace and Good Works

Titus 3 deals with many topics we can focus on and from which we can make application. He encourages his readers to do good works in verses 3-8 as well as stimulating one another to good works. In this passage, our good works are coupled with grace. Paul states plainly that God did not save us because of any good works we may be able to demonstrate. Instead of works, mercy and grace saves us, but he calls upon us to devote ourself to good works as a direct result of that grace. Such actions are a natural reaction to His impact on our lives.

Reacting to Grace
Ephesians 2:8-10 again reinforces the role of grace in our salvation, but again, grace and faith motivate good deeds. However, according to verse 9, such works are not for credit or boasting. Compared to what God has already done for us, anything we do pales in comparison. We do not rely on ourselves with a checklist mentality. Rather, we rely fully on God, and our reliance on God informs everything we do. God has created us for the purpose of good works, our reaction to our faith in His mercy.

In chapter 2 of James, the author associates faith with works. One example he gives is in James 2:15-16 where we can simply help someone meet a need. You or I might might be the only ones who know of the need, but we can help. Hebrews 10:24-25 talks about stimulating one another to love and good deeds. In this, we should be working together and assembling to build each other up, to encourage one another to do good works.

People have many motivations for their actions. We might follow God to have our sins washed, to be closer to God, out of fear. In Hebrews 10, Paul discusses one motivation for our good works – our encouragement of one another whenever we are together as Christians, reminding each other of the many things God has done for us. James 4:5-6 reminds us He also wants to continue to give us grace as we humble ourselves before Him.

The Ultimate Example of Grace
Christ’s sacrifice is a free gift for us to accept. Through Him, we gain access to our Father’s grace and mercy. As His children, our response should be to give of ourselves as graciously. If you haven’t yet, accept His grace, and dedicate yourself to a life of good works – not for personal glory or credit but to the glory of our Heavenly Father.

sermon by Ben Lanius