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Jude 6 “And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own adobe, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day.”

1. Left their own abode. Abode means their dwelling place or habitation. They stepped outside God’s boundaries. They sought to operate outside of God’s will, invading realms not intended for them.
2. Did not keep their proper domain. The word “domain” arche can mean beginning, rule or assigned place. It implies that these angels abandoned the role, position, and authority God had given them. They rebelled against God.
3. Reserved in everlasting chains under darkness. God restrained these angels. 2 Peter 2:4 says they were cast into “tartarus” – a greek word for a place of judgment.
4. Chains symbolize restraint – God limited their activity

Connection to Genesis 6 “Sons of God” “Nephilim”

Some believe Jude refers to angels who cohabited with human women before the flood (Genesis 6:1-4). Their sin: leaving their spiritual domain to corrupt God’s creation.

Others interpret this as the rebellion of angels with Satan (Isaiah 14, Revelation 12:4). Their sin: pride and refusal to remain in God’s appointed order, seeking independence from Him.

Rebellion against God’s boundaries: the angels serve as an example of the danger of rejecting God’s authority.

Warning to Believers: Jude uses them as a cautionary tale to remind Christians to stay faithful and not be swayed by false teachers.

Judgment is certain: Even powerful spiritual beings are not exempt from God’s justice.

Application for Today

Stay within God’s calling: Just as angels had a place assigned by God, we also have a “calling” we should not abandon.

Guard against rebellion” Pride can lead us to step outside of God’s will.

Trust God’s Justice: If God judges angels who rebel, He will surely deal with false teachers and evil.

Historical and Literary 

Proverbs 10 marks the beginning of a section often referred to as ‘Solomon’s Proverbs’ proper, shifting from longer poetic introductions to a rapid-fire sequence of short, memorable statements. 

The book of Proverbs, a rich collection of wisdom sayings largely attributed to King Solomon, provides timeless guidance on how to live a life that honors God. Among its many recurring themes, none is more practical and immediately impactful than the teaching on the use of words. In Proverbs chapters 10–20, speech is not treated as a trivial matter, but as a key measure of a person’s wisdom, character, and relationship with God. Our words have the capacity to bless or to curse, to heal or to harm, to encourage or to destroy. In today’s fast-paced and communication-heavy world, these truths are as relevant as they were in Solomon’s day.

These proverbs are designed to be easily remembered and applied, covering a variety of topics in no particular order — though certain themes, such as speech, are repeated frequently. Speech is highlighted in this portion because it reveals the heart. Proverbs 16:23 declares, ‘The heart of the wise instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.’ Words do not stand alone; they are the overflow of one’s inner character. In the ancient Near Eastern context, where oral communication was primary, speech carried the full weight of one’s integrity, reputation, and social relationships.

The Power of Words

One of the clearest lessons in Proverbs 10–20 is that words are powerful instruments— they can give life or bring destruction. Proverbs 18:21 famously declares, ‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.’ This imagery paints the tongue as a seed-planter, with every word producing either nourishing fruit or poisonous weeds. 

Healing Words — Proverbs 16:24 describe gracious words as ‘a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.’ Just as honey restores strength and health, kind and encouraging words can refresh the weary.

Fountains of Life — Proverbs 10:11 says, ‘The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,’ illustrating that righteous speech continually brings refreshment and vitality to those who hear it. Words That Wound — Proverbs 12:18 warns, ‘The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.’ Careless speech can leave deep emotional scars, much like physical wounds. Proverbs 15:1 reminds us that ‘A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.’ Words can either extinguish a conflict or inflame it.

The Dangers of Foolish Words

Proverbs offers sobering warnings about the destructive power of foolish speech. Lying, gossip, slander, and rash speech all appear repeatedly in chapters 10–20. Lying and Deceit — Proverbs 12:22 declares, ‘The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.’ Lying not only damages relationships but is an offense to God Himself. Proverbs 19:5 warns, ‘A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.’ Gossip and Slander — Proverbs 11:13 notes, ‘A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.’ Gossip corrodes trust, divides friendships, and spreads strife (Proverbs 16:28). Rash and Hot-Tempered Speech — Proverbs 14:29 and 15:18 link rash speech to quarrels.

The Value of Restraint

In a world where talking is often equated with influence, Proverbs reminds us that restraint is a hallmark of true wisdom. Few Words, Much Wisdom — Proverbs 10:19 states, ‘When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.’

Silence and Understanding — Proverbs 17:27–28 says, ‘The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent.’

Turning Away Wrath — Proverbs 15:1 again emphasizes that measured, gentle words prevent escalation. Restraint is not weakness; it is strength under control. It shows that a person’s heart is governed by wisdom rather than impulse.

Words That Align with God’s Wisdom

Wise speech is marked by truth, integrity, encouragement, and justice.

Speaking Truth — Proverbs 12:19 affirms, ‘Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.’

Words That Bring Joy — Proverbs 15:23 says, ‘A person finds joy in giving an apt reply — and how good is a timely word!’

Practical Application for Today

The wisdom of Proverbs applies not only to face-to-face conversations but also to every modern form of communication. Social Media and Digital Speech — Posts, comments, and messages can spread encouragement or stir division. Proverbs 15:28 ‘The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.’ Before speaking — or posting — wisdom calls us to pause.

Relationships — Encouraging, respectful speech fosters trust in marriage, gracious words promote instruction in parenting (Proverbs 16:21), and honest speech earns respect in the workplace. Spiritual Speech — Our words should glorify God and point others toward Him (Colossians 4:6; Proverbs 15:4).

Conclusion

From Proverbs 10–20, we see that words are not neutral — they are either instruments of life or weapons of harm. They reveal the heart, shape relationships, and have lasting spiritual consequences. As believers, we are called to submit our tongues to the Lord, allowing His Spirit to guide every word we speak. By embracing the wisdom of Proverbs, we can ensure our words build up rather than tear down, heal rather than wound, and glorify God rather than dishonor Him.

THE BASICS OF THE GOSPEL

We were created in the image of God (Gen.1:26) with great capabilities to rule and reign with Him in His creation (Gen.2:5-9). God is spirit (John 4:24) and we are spirit & soul (1 Thess.5:23-24) to relate to and experience God, and live, in a physical body to be able to interact with the world around us. But because of sin Adam and Eve were put out of the Garden of Eden, and all humanity since are born with a propensity to sin (Rom.7). As a result of sin, death (Rom.5:12, Rom.6:23) became a reality. But Jesus provides us a way back to God and gives us eternal life (John 3:16). As a result of being born again, and having the Spirit of God living in us (Rom.8:9, 1 John 4:4), a Christian will not suffer eternal separation (death) from God. The body will still die (Heb.9:27) but the inner man (spirit & soul) will live eternally with Him (John 3:18,36).

THE SUPERNATURAL

A lot of people have had NDE (near death experiences) and were resusitated and could tell of unusual sights and sounds of the afterlife. Some of their stories agree with Scripture and others do not. Recently, I have read three books written by medical doctors who interviewed patients who told of a NDE. Some had experiences of falling into a dark place, others told of seeing a bright light (Jesus- the light of the world) who was welcoming them into a place like a beautiful garden, flowing streams, seeing and communicating with friends and making new acquaintances.

One thing that stood out to me was the ability to communicate without speaking words as we do on earth. They often described it as speaking telepathically, hence, no hindrance of a language barrier. Some also mentioned suddenly knowing things that they had not been taught on earth nor told when they got in this place.

WHAT WE CAN DO TO PREPARE FOR ETERNITY

If these experiences are true, they are revealing to us a glimpse of what Heaven will be like. But there are some things we can experience now in this life. First, we have Jesus living in us (Col.1:27). Second, we have the Spirit of God in us. They are active and often speak to us through the written Word of God! Or our conscience. Or dreams, visions, counsel of a friend, preached Word, a spiritual gift, etc. We are spirit beings and need to sharpen our ability to hear and see in the spirit realm all that is possible for today. I think that too often we have relegated all supernatural things to the afterlife when much of it can be experience in this life.

Spiritual gifts, fruit of the Spirit, and ministries of the Spirit are all for this life! They will not be needed in Heaven for it will be operating on a higher dimension than earth presently is. Perhaps, we need to pray as the Apostle Paul did in Ephesians 1:15-23. Read it, Re-read it. Claim it for yourself. IT IS FOR TODAY!

Bob and Betty Smith were looking at pictures on the wall of the little restaurant where they had eaten many meals over thirty years ago. Only one person, Frank Smith, no relation to them, knew they were in town. Bob had been pastor for five years of the Riverside Church before getting a call to pastor the mother church of their denomination, Evangel Church, which he had successfully pastored for thirty years.

When Riverside Church was looking for a new pastor, after their last pastor left quickly, Frank remembered Pastor Bob and how much he had helped him during a difficult time in his life many years ago. So, Frank called Pastor Bob and Betty and asked them to come to Riverside and talk with him about the church.

Bob and Betty sat at the small table looking at the pictures on the wall trying to remember who they were, and wondering if they were still in the Riverside Church or even if they were still alive.

Bob  and Betty remembered their waitress, Veronica, even though she did not recognize them. Veronica was about twelve years old when they left Riverside to pastor Evangel Church in Springfield.

Riverside was a small town of about five thousand people where everybody knew everybody else, which was good but also challenging because everybody did know everyone else! The good as well as the bad things.

DO I STAY OR GO?

As Pastor Bob and Betty were looking at the pictures on the wall of the small diner, they were reminded of several things that had happened when they pastored Riverside those many years ago. Veronica introduced herself to them and began to make small talk. When she discovered that they had pastored Riverside Church, she mentioned that she had attended there some while in High School. Since she had no customers at the moment, she began to talk about her life to the Smiths. She had gotten pregnant during her junior year and had to drop out of school because of it. Her boyfriend had refused to marry her or even support their baby daughter. She was embarrassed and felt shame for what she had done. She continued to live with her parents and got a job working at the diner, a position she had held for many years. Her daughter, Maya, had graduated from high school with honors and had gotten a full-ride scholarship from the local college. Veronica mentioned how comfortable she felt talking to the Smiths and said, “I wish you had been pastor at Riverside when I went there.”

Frank, who was a real estate agent, called to say that the house he was showing was taking longer than expected, but he would be there as soon as possible.

While the Smiths were drinking coffee at their table, they began to consider their future. Should they consider coming back to Riverside if offered the job? Or should they stay where they were in Springfield? It was a city of approximately 125,000 people, with a diverse range of nationalities. Their church had lots of things going for it. They averaged over 1,400 people on Sunday morning, had a good parsonage to live in, and the church, although not wealthy, seemed to always have the necessary funds to support the staff and other church obligations.

The things that bothered the Smiths about EvangelChurch were the politics and the varied ideas and beliefs that arose during difficult times, such as the recent covid epidemic. Evangel Church lost about 300 people during covid who never returned after the church started having public services again.

Plus, their denominational headquarters were in Springfield, a block away from the church, and Evangel Church was expected to set an example for the rest of the denomination by implementing all the new ideas and changes sent down by the Board.

IS THIS A GOOD FIT?

When John Smith finally got to the diner, he, Pastor Bob, and Betty got a table in the back corner. Bob began to ask John about the Riverside Church’s attendance, financial status, and overall health. John freely admitted that they had been better a few years ago, but most of the people believed that with the right leadership, they could recover and move forward as they once had.

John asked Bob what it would take financially for Bob and Betty to become the pastor of Riverside. Bob said that his present arrangement with Evangel was that the church provided a parsonage with paid utilities and an annual salary of $100,000.  Bob said that because of his grandson’s health, he and Betty gave 1/3 of their monthly salary to help pay the bills. Bob said as much as he would like to become Riverside’s pastor again, he did not think that was a realistic possibility. John said that he understood and would inform the board at their monthly meeting on Friday.

After John left, Bob and Betty got in their car and cried because they both would have liked to pastor Riverside Church again, perhaps as their last pastorate before retirement. After a time of prayer, they began their return to Evangel Church in Springfield with heavy hearts. While Evangel had been good to them for over thirty years, it was the committee meetings, the grumbling, complaining church members, and the denominational rules and expectations that made it difficult to really pastor the people as he would like.

After they rode in silence for half an hour, Bob said, “You know, the vast majority of church members in America do not know what Pastors and their families go through to pastor their church.” Betty said, “That is for sure!”

This article was based on actual events of pastors that I know. The names have been changed to protect identities.

Jabez is a relatively obscure but profoundly inspiring figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. His name means “sorrow” or “pain”, a label his mother gave him because she bore him in distress. Despite the unfavorable beginning, the Bible describes Jabez as “more honorable than his brothers.” This short passage, tucked within a long genealogy of Judah, Stands out for the powerful prayer Jabez prays-and for how God answers it.

The prayer of Jabez is brief but rich in meaning: “Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that you hand would be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.” NKJV

This prayer reveals a man who, though born in sorrow, refuses to be defined by his past. Instead, Jabez boldly asks God for blessing, influence, guidance, and protection. He desires not only material expansion but also spiritual growth and moral integrity.

Jabez’s story is significant because it shows how someone with a painful past or a difficult identity can still rise to honor through prayer and trust in God. His name may have meant pain, but his legacy speaks of hope. The text concludes with a simple yet powerful statement: “So God granted him what the requested.”

In a world where many struggle with identity, labels, and limitations, Jabez stands as a reminder that God listens to sincere prayers and can transform lives. His brief appearance in scripture has had a long-lasting impact inspiring countless believers to seek God’s favor with bold faith and a surrendered heart.

The book of Jude, a short yet powerful letter, has long intrigued scholars and believers alike for its urgent tone and apocalyptic warnings. It deals with issues of heresy, false teachers, divine judgment, and a call to ‘contend for the faith.’

The author is believed to be, not only the brother of James, but a half-brother of Jesus. It was probably written between 65-80 A.D. The early church faced internal and external pressures, Gnostic heresies as libertinism began infiltrating congregations, distorting grace into license for immorality. The epistle reflects a community under spiritual siege, warning of apostates who had “crept in unnoticed” (v.4).

A STRONG REBUKE

Jude’s aim is to awaken vigilance against apostasy and to instruct believers how to preserve the true gospel. He warns them that the Lord saved the people out of the land of Egypt, but afterward destroyed those who did not believe. Inferring He could still do the same! (V.3)

He used another example about the angels who left their proper domain, that He has reserved in chains waiting for the judgment of the great day. (V.4). (Genesis 6:1-7)

He also reminds them of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the surrounding cities that suffered the vengeance of eternal fire. (Genesis 19:24)

He also reminds them of those who fail to recognize rightful authority and the consequences of doing that (Jude 9-10, 2 Peter 2:10-11, Exodus 22:28).

Jude compares some of them to the “…way of Cain, having run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.”

DEPRAVED APOSTATES

Notice what he says about them, “…spots in your love feasts, serving only themselves…clouds without water…raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame, wandering stars, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.” (VV12-13)

THE LORD IS COMING WITH TEN THOUSANDS OF HIS SAINTS

But some of these that Jude is talking to will not be happy about it! He is coming “to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” (V.15)

CHARACTERISTICS OF THESE APOSTATES

You will know them by their fruit! They are “grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts, and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.” (V.16)

Jude reminds his readers what the Apostles preached that there would be “…mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause division, not having the Spirit.” (VV.17-19)

INSTRUCTION ON HOW TO MAINTAIN OUR LIFE WITH GOD

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” (V.20) That was good instruction in the first century and continues to be in the twenty-first century!

Jude concludes the letter by saying, “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. AMEN.

Introduction: 1 Thess.5:23-24 “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”

Today I want to put emphasis on the mind. We will look at some things about the brain and other things that make up the human mind. Then we will look at some things about the soul & spirit that affect our mind, and then how we can renew or change our mind to think like God thinks!

1. THE BRAIN

• Every thought has a corresponding electrochemical reaction in the brain.
• At any moment your brain is creatively performing about 400 billion actions, of which you are only conscious of about 2000.
• When you feel happy, your brain has released specific types of chemicals called endorphins.
• Research shows that about 87% of illnesses can be attributed to your thought life in one way or another.
• Medical science has directly linked emotions, such as depression, to an increased risk of cancer and heart disease.
• If you have been repeatedly verbally abused by someone at work, or sexually abused as a child, all the thoughts associated with those experiences will release negative chemicals. Included in them is a hormone called CRH. People who commit suicide have 10 times as much as those who do not. CRH travels to the pituitary gland and stimulates the release of ACTH, which races to the adrenal gland, on top of the kidneys and it releases cortisol and adrenaline.
• On the other hand, if you have been appreciated and praised a lot the body releases chemicals, among which is endorphins.

• You have about 100 trillion neurons and each is capable of growing up to 70,000 branches. That is enough storage space for three million years. At the end of each newron there are branches called dendrites which continually receive and integrate information coming from the five senses.
• Whether your thoughts, emotions and attitudes are positive or negative, they are represented in the body as electrochemical reactions. You are made up of two systems: chemical (endocrine system) and electrical (nervous system). That means the currency of your body is electromagnetic energy and chemicals. Both these are involved with every thought, attitude and actions that occur in your body!
• Dr. Caroline Leaf in WHO SWITCHED OFF MY BRAIN calls thoughts a breeze through the trees.

2. THE MIND

• The mind is more than the brain. If you remember our circles representing the spirit, soul and body, you will remember that the soul contains the mind.
• The mind is made up of the brain with all of its parts, but also includes attributes of the soul – will & emotions. It also contains intuition from the human spirit (Soul & Spirit make up the inner person – 2 Cor.4:16).
• Rom.12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable will of God.”
• Eph. 4:23 “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.”

3. RENEWAL FROM WITHIN

• We are born from above – John 3:3, “Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”  John 3:5 “…unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.” 2 Cor.5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” John 3:6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
• We are told to put off the old and put on the new. Eph.4:22, “that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,” Eph.4:24 “and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”
• Read – Memorize – Declare what the Word of God says. As you do this you are solidifying it in your soul and brain. When you hear something but you do not do anything with it within 24-72 hours, your glial cells in the brain erase that piece of information.
• Cultivate hearing in your spirit. The Spirit of God lives in your spirit. He speaks from there, often from intuition, and encourages us into action. (Elijah – 1Kgs.19:12)
• Forgive those who have offended you. Matt.6:14-15 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Forgiving other people has a positive effect on the brain – endorphins – to hold unforgiveness, anger and resentment causes the brain to hold things like adrenaline, and cortisol stays in the body too long and they cause negative things to happen to the body.

Historically, the structure of the church has borne the image of the structure of the government  in the country where it exists.

In the first century, the church got its start with Jewish disciples of Jesus, who were well-versed in the Old Testament, which was a stumbling block to some when Jesus began  to teach principles that they had difficulty understanding.

In the first century churches, they had participants from other cultures (Jews, Gentiles) who brought their beliefs with them about what and how things should be done. The same is true today,

In America, and other countries, we have many denominations and groups with various belief systems. So how can we keep the unity of the Spirit?

CORE VALUES

Imagine a concentric circle and in the center of it are the core beliefs that we agree upon. The first is: God – who is he? YHWH, Father, Son, and Spirit. One Savior- Jesus Christ, Inspiration of Scripture.

Expanding outward from this innermost circle is another larger circle and in this circle are other important beliefs, but not as important as the inner circle. Such as: water baptism, music styles, end-time beliefs, etc.

Beyond that circle is a one larger still that lists tertiary (third level) beliefs such as: age of the earth, who wrote Hebrews or Isaiah. Some congregations have no core beliefs! Some believe all those mentioned are core beliefs.

Core beliefs should be those that are important beliefs that define with whom we fellowship. The others, though important, are beliefs we hold that do not cause us to break fellowship with believers who hold different beliefs. 

Our Biblical beliefs will determine to a large degree the structure of our churches. A strict adherence to New Testament patterns immediately rules out a democratic form of church government as well as a monarchical form (1 Peter 5:1-4).

MY TAKE

Ephesians 4:10-16 says, “He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all heavens, that He might fill all things. And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed and from and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” These along with others that they may appoint ( Acts 6:1-7) make up the leadership team in the local churches.

Calling himself a “wretch” who was lost and blind, John Newton recalled leaving school at the age of eleven to begin life as a rough, debauched seaman. He was a heavy drinker and eventually engaged in the practice of capturing natives of West Africa to be sold as slaves to markets around the world. But one day in a terrible storm, in fear for his life, Newton began to read The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a’ Kempis. God used the book to lead him into a dramatic change in his life through a relationship with Jesus as Lord of his life.

Feeling a call on his life for ministry, he began to study and prepare for it. John and Charles Wesley and George Whitefield greatly influenced him. He later became an ordained minister in the Church of England.

During his life, he wrote many hymns. Perhaps the one he is most noted for is Amazing Grace. It is a story about God’s grace that was revealed in his life.

There are two ways the grace of God is seen toward man. The first is through what Jesus did for us on the Cross. The second is His divine ability in us continually that allows us to be and do what He wants.

Grace is most often thought of as the unmerited favor and mercy of God revealed to mankind through the work of the Cross. The forgiveness of sin, regeneration and work of God in the heart and life of a sinner is a good example of God’s grace. Without this manifestation of grace all of life would be futile and hopeless. But God in eternity past knew that man would reject Him so He provided a way to forgiveness and restoration.

The first mention of grace is found in Genesis 6:8 which says, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” Noah found mercy, compassion, and unmerited favor. Not because of any greatest of character on his part, but because of God’s great love, compassion and plan that He had for the human race.

We find the Bible is very explicit that no one can receive forgiveness, justification or any other thing from God except through His grace. Notice the following passages:

Romans 3:24 says, “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” These verses reveal that even though sin abounds, the grace of God revealed in Jesus provides a way of forgiveness and restoration back to God to everyone who will accept it and make Jesus the Lord of their life.

There is another manifestation of God’s grace that we need to see also. This area of grace is often overlooked by many evangelicals. This area is what the Apostle Paul mentioned in Romans 5:17 when he said, “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.” Paus shows us that it is the will of God that believers in Jesus Christ should reign in life. This reigning is possible because of God’s grace-His divine ability that He has put in us. Too many Christians seem to think that after they get saved God leaves them to live their life on their own. While they may not say this outright, but by the way they live it seems apparent that down in their spirit this is what they believe.

But God has not left us alone. He gives us His grace-His ability to be and do-so that we can accomplish what He has planned for us to do. He promised us in Matthew 28:20, “…I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Notice the following passages:

Ephesians 3:7 says, “Of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.”

Ephesians 4:7 says, “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”

In these verses Paul is showing us that he was an apostle by the mercy and favor of God and because of God’s ability in him to be one. He further states that each of us has grace to be whatever the gift of God in us requires. Whatever your station in life, God’s grace is sufficient for you in that position.

The Apostle Paul knew what he was taking about. There was a time in his life when everything seemed to be against him. He went to God about it and God said in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” God was telling Paul that His grace was sufficient to take him through the difficulties victoriously. He was not telling him to grin and bear it but to depend upon God’s ability in him to do what was necessary to come through it. When we are weak God’s strength is more easily seen. When we depend upon Him then He gets the glory when we are victorious.

Horatio Spafford was a successful attorney in Chicago. He was the father of four daughters, an active member in the Presbyterian Church, and a loyal friend and supporter of D. L. Moody. Through a series of calamities, including the fire of 1871, much of his extensive real estate holdings were wiped out. He decided to take his family to Great Britain for a time of refreshing while he helped with the Moody-Sankey meetings there. His family went on ahead by boat. Their ship was hit by an English vessel and sank in twelve minutes. All four daughters died but his wife was one of the very few who escaped. Later when Spafford came to the approximate spot where his four daughters died, he received great comfort from God that enabled him to write the hymn It Is Well With My Soul. Great grace enables one to deal with great problems successfully!

Fanny Crosby, blinded by a medical accident at six weeks of age, overcame her handicap and wrote over 8000 hymns during her ninety-five years. She was known as the “queen of gospel music.” Among her best known hymns is Blessed Assurance. She was determined to obey what she believed to be God’s direction in her life to write hymns out of the overflow of His grace.

You have probably known individuals who accomplished great things in spite of handicaps or hardships. Or perhaps looking back on your own life you can see where the hand of God has been upon you and enabled you to do what otherwise would have been impossible. The grace of God is not only unmerited favor, it is also the ability of God to be the person we should be, and to do what we should be doing.

The fact that God’s grace has been given to us does not mean that we automatically see its potential manifested. There are some things we need to do to cooperate with God as He brings His will to pass. John 1:16 says, “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.” God’s fullness which is manifested in Jesus Christ has been given to each of us. As a result of that it is expected that we will reign in this life. Everyone, saved or lost, is a recipient of God’s grace. But only those who have made Jesus their Lord and Savior will know the fullest expression of that grace. That grace is experienced as we walk with God in obedience. 2 Corinthians 9:8 says, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” There is an abundance of grace for every believer to do what God wants him to do!

Romans 12:6 says, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith…” The gifts we possess are determined by the grace that God has given to each individual. 1 Peter 4:10 says, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” We are responsible to be good stewards of His grace.’

In one word – SIN!

Adam and Eve disobeyed God and by their disobedience they plunged themselves and all those who come after into sin, with a propensity to do likewise (Genesis 3, Romans 5:12-21).

Another word – SATAN!

Before Adam one of the angels fell, Lucifer, was cast out of heaven and began his reign of terror against God and those who follow Him (Isaiah 14:12-17, Ezekiel 28:1-19).

Yet, another word – FLESH!

All of us, even those born again, have some flesh! The Greek word is “sarx” meaning those areas of our life that are not yet submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. And that flesh, when yielded to, has the ability to act contrary to the nature of Christ within (Galatians 5:13-15, 16-21).

Jesus came and lived as a person perfectly obedient to the Father and qualified to be our Savior, died for and as us. All of our sin was put upon Him. He brought forgiveness and eternal life to us. We are recipients of His grace (Ephesians 1:7,  2:8-10).

To win the battle over the flesh, we need to recognize that it was crucified with Jesus (Romans 6:6-12, Galatians 2:20, 5:24, 6:14).

CONSISTENTLY LIVE IN THE SPIRIT OF GOD

Now that we are born again, we are instructed to stand fast in the liberty given to us by the work of Jesus on the Cross and Resurrection (Galatians 5:1). We are instructed to walk in the Spirit and we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-18, 25). Our lives will either reveal the fruit of the Spirit or the works of the flesh, determined by which one we yield to.