His Eyes Upon the Prize!

Faith is a wonderful gift from God so that we may know salvation comes from Him and Him alone.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8,9

Looking about the age we are in one begins to wonder if saved by grace THROUGH faith is a end to a start. What I mean is many live as if salvation is so complete that all one needs to do is have some word, some church, some Pastor, to put in their pocket to guarantee them the safe passage to the end.

As I study His Word and see by His Spirit I notice some key words, some verses that are showing me that Paul himself was as concerned for his salvation as the next.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Yes! Paul wrote that he himself could be ‘disqualified” from the race even after preaching to others how to run the race.

For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. Romans 11:21,22

How my eyes, my mind, my heart sees the very warning “if thou continue in his goodness”

For would NOT “if thou continue in his goodness” be a warning to any that live as if there is no reward for their lifestyle? Giving themselves over to the desires of the flesh and being conformed to the world is indeed a real and present danger to the one’s that have turned “from grace?”

His Word, His Truth says so ....

James shows that one without works is one with dead faith. Paul wrote Titus and said by the Holy Spirit that “ ... the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, “Teaching us” that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
   
These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. Titus 2:11-15

Do we notice that the GRACE of God has come to “teach us” to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions? YES! Grace has also come to “teach us” how to live in self-control, upright and godly in this age.

“Looking for!”

YES! Grace is the eyes of Him upon our hearts keeping our focus upon that  “blessed hope” the glorious appearing of the great God our Saviour Jesus Christ.

How does one that has turned their walk from grace to themselves ever expect to be taught this grace? How does one turn from the Light of Life back to the darkness of death?

Now some may wonder and some may be in sorrow for their walk is one of a self centered life and not a God centered life.

However! Don’t lose disappear! “ For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” Hebrews 12:6

They who lose disappear  will notice that condemnation has set in along with guilt, sorrow and shame which has replaced, peace, joy and love. Some might even notice much around them is not what it suppose to be, BUT they will know that His grace, His Word, His teaching is as a Father that disciplines His children!

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Don’t let condemnation control you with fear! Come boldly UNTO the throne of grace for their you will find mercy and the power of God in your time of need. For grace is God’s power working actively in one’s life conforming them to the image of His Son so that they will have their place in the body of Christ! For IN Christ we live by the “faith OF Christ” which is indeed the active power of grace towards us that believe.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

How we need to be “....confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:...” Philippians 1:6

One in grace sees that without Christ finished work that one abides under the law of sin and death.

However! To them that allow grace to be their rod and staff are they that abide in the law of Life and know they are walking with their Father in one’s garden!