Worthy Christian Forums

Is it just me...

Wed, 06 Oct 2004 18:40:38 -0400

Or do I kill of a lot of the topics on here??

Scarletprayer's spot

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 21:44:52 -0400

Nothing and I mean absolutely nothing serious is allowed in this thread.

Anything of a serious nature that is posted here will bring dire consequences upon the offending party. I am personally monitoring this thread and I'm making a list of violators, I am watching at all times. Don't be fooled by my name not showing up as being on Worthy, at the moment you decide to break my rules, I have my ways and they are remarkable, stupendous and absolutely amazing (if I do say so myself).

I like monkeys, and parrots and caterpillars, and I wanna be able to play the piano while reciting Shakespeare, while knitting and afghan with my toes.

Soooooooooo, now, tell me alittle bit about you!

I also wish I could spell, but thats another story.

The Person Below Me (GAME)

Sun, 16 Jan 2005 16:50:06 -0500

I have been playing this game on another board that I go to for quite some time now. I thought it would be fun to start it up here (if any admins object just say so.. but its fun!) All you have to do is answer the last question, and then ask a question. If last last post says "The person below me has never been to Africa" and you have never been to Africa, you would say "false" and make a comment about it (if you would like). And then add your own question for the next person to answer! It is really fun and you get to learn some really interesting things about the people that come to the board. So... I will start it out!

The person below me live in the United States?

The Only Real True Authorized ted Thread

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 09:23:48 -0400

Time for some house cleaning.

Due to the overwhelming popularity of the modern ted threads, I had to clean out most of them. This will be the only authorized ted thread for now on.
No, it has nothing to do with getting yelled at.....

Come one, come all!

t.

Calvin vs. Arminius

Sun, 21 Mar 2004 00:55:28 -0500

For those who are not familiar with the debate or the acronyms, here is a brief summation of both.

Jacobus Arminius was a Professor of Divinity at Leyden University in Holland at the turn of the seventeenth century. He was the protege of Theodore Beza, who was John Calvin's successor. Arminius was a strict Calvinist early on, but later he developed a set of doctrines that were divergient from the widely accepted doctrines of Calvinism. Arminius's teachings concerning sin, selection, predestination, and eternal security attracted a following. Some time after his death in 1609 some of his followers consolidated his teachings into 5 concise points (Later identified by the acronym DAISY) and presented them in a formal letter of Remonstrance (or objection) to the Reformed Church of Holland in 1618. The Church conducted a formal inquiry into the claims of the Arminians, and thus, the Synod of Dort was formed. In 1619 the Arminians got their answers in the form of an article known as The Canons of the Synod of Dort. The synod answered each of the five points presented by the Arminians with five contrary points that we now call "The Five Points of Calvinism," otherwise known by the acronym TULIP. Thus, the Synod of Dort absolutely rejected Arminianism as heretical, and confirmed Calvinism as the true doctrine of Christ's church.

However, far from being dispelled, the controversy between these two doctrines exists in the church today. Although both Arminius' and Calvin's doctrines go much further and much deeper than the "boiled down" points outlined by the acronyms, they do suffice to provide the basics of what each theolgical position entails. The acronyms are provided below:

Calvinism

T = Total depravity/ Total inability. Because of the fall, man is unable of himself to savingly believe the gospel. The sinner is dead, blind, and deaf to the things of God; his heart is deceitful and desperately corrupt. His will is not free, it is in in bondage to his evil nature, therefore, he will not -- indeed he cannot -- choose good over evil in the spiritual realm. Consequently, it takes much more than the Spirit's assistance to bring a sinner to Christ -- it takes regeneration by which the Spirit makes the sinner alive and gives him a new nature. Faith is not something man contributes to salvation but is itself a part of God's gift of salvation -- it is God's gift to the sinner, not the sinner's gift to God.

U = Unconditional Election. God's choice of certain individuals unto salvation before the foundation of the world rested solely in His own sovereign will. His choice of particular sinners was not based on any foreseen response or obedience on their part, such as faith, repentance, etc. On the contrary, God gives faith and repentance to each individual whom He selected. These acts are the result, not the cause of God's choice. Election therefore was not determined by or conditioned upon any virtuous quality or act foreseen in man. Those whom God sovereignly elected He brings through the power of the Spirit to a willing acceptance of Christ. Thus God's choice of the sinner, not the sinner's choice of Christ, is the ultimate cause of salvation.

L = Limited Atonement. Christ's redeeming work was intended to save the elect only and actually secured salvation for them. His death was a substitutionary endurance of the penalty of sin in the place of certain specified sinners. In addition to putting away the sins of His people, Christ's redemption secured everything necessary for their salvation, including faith which unites them to Him. The gift of faith is infallibly applied by the Spirit to all for whom Christ died, thereby guaranteeing their salvation.

I = Irresistable Grace. In addition to the outward general call to salvation which is made to everyone who hears the gospel, the Holy Spirit extends to the elect a special inward call that inevitably brings them to salvation. The external call (which is made to all without distinction) can be and often is, rejected; whereas the internal call (which is made only to the elect) cannot be rejected; it always results in conversion. By means of this special call the Spirit irresistibly draws sinners to Christ. He is not limited in His work of applying salvation by man's will, nor is He dependent upon man's cooperation for success. The Spirit graciously causes the elect sinner to cooperate, to believe, to repent, to come freely and willingly to Christ. God's grace, therefore, is invincible; it never fails to result in the salvation of those to whom it is extended.

P = Perseverance of the Saints. All who were chosen by God, redeemed by Christ, and given faith by the Spirit are eternally saved. They are kept in faith by the power of Almighty God and thus persevere to the end. According to Calvinism: Salvation is accomplished by the almighty power of the Triune God. The Father chose a people, the Son died for them, the Holy Spirit makes Christ's death effective by bringing the elect to faith and repentance, thereby causing them to willingly obey the gospel. The entire process (election, redemption, regeneration) is the work of God and is by grace alone. Thus God, not man, determines who will be the recipients of the gift of salvation.

Arminianism

D = Depravity (Partial depravity or Dead, but somehow alive). Although human nature was seriously affected by the fall, man has not been left in a state of total spiritual helplessness. God graciously enables every sinner to repent and believe, but He does so in such a manner as not to interfere with man's freedom. Each sinner possesses a free will, and his eternal destiny depends on how he uses it. Man's freedom consists of his ability to choose good over evil in spiritual matters; his will is not enslaved to his sinful nature. The sinner has the power to either cooperate with God's Spirit and be regenerated or resist God's grace and perish. The lost sinner needs the Spirit's assistance, but he does not have to be regenerated by the Spirit before he can believe, for faith is man's act and precedes the new birth. Faith is the sinner's gift to God; It is man's contribution to salvation.

A = Arbitrary Selection (Abolition of True Grace). God's choice of certain individuals unto salvation before the foundation of the world was based upon His foreseeing that they would respond to His call. He selected only those whom He knew would of themselves freely believe the gospel. Election therefore was termined by or conditioned upon what man would do. The faith which God foresaw and upon which He based His choice was not given to the sinner by God (it was not created by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit) but resulted solely from man's will. It was left entirely up to man as to who would believe and therefore as to who would be elected unto salvation. God chose those whom He knew would, of their own free will, choose Christ. Thus the sinner's choice of Christ, not God's choice of the sinner, is the ultimate cause of salvation.

I = Inequitable Limitation (of Christ's selection). Christ's redeeming work made it possible for everyone to be saved but did not actually secure the salvation of anyone. Although Christ died for all men and for every man, only those who believe in Him are saved. His death enabled God to pardon sinners on the condtition that they believe, but it did not actually put away anyone's sins. Christ's redemption becomes effective only if man chooses to accept it.

S = Sovereignty (of the sinner). The Spirit calls inwardly all those who are called outwardly by the gospel invitation; He does all that He can to bring every sinner to salvation. But inasmuch as man is free, he can successfully resist the Spirit's call. The Spirit cannot regenerate the sinner until he believes; faith (which is man's contribution) precedes and makes possible the new birth. Thus, man's free will limits the Spirit in the application of Christ's saving work. The Holy Spirit can only draw to Christ those who allow Him to have His way with them. Until the sinner responds, the Spirit cannot give life. God's grace, therefore, is not invincible; it can be, and often is, resisted and thwarted by man.

Y = Yielding Eternal Uncertainty. Those who believe and are truly saved can lose their salvation by failing to keep up their faith, etc. All Arminians have not been agreed on this point; some have held that believers are eternally secure in Christ -- that once a sinner is regenerated, he can never be lost. According to Arminianism: Salvation is accomplished through the combined efforts of God (who takes the initiative) and man (who must respond) -- man's response being the determining factor. God has provided salvation for everyone, but His provision becomes effective only for those who, of their own free will, choose to cooperate with Him and accept His offer of grace. At the crucial point, man's will plays a decisive role; thus man, not God, determines who will be the recipients of the gift of salvation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Although we can debate the points here, the goal is just to see where you stand theologically. I personally am more Calvinist than I am Arminian. Some Christians have found a balance between both views, and so are more like 50/50.

So, if we are to debate these points, let's keep it healthy - especially when we get to the matter of eternal security. None of this, "Well you're going to hell if you fool yourself into believing..." Let us all remember that our salvation has been afforded by Christ, and our basis either way is in His blood.

So......where do you stand?

Endnote: The texts of TULIP and DAISY were cut-and-pasted from http://www.lifegoeson.net/InTruth/calvarmn.htm Credit where credit is due.

Do You Believe in "Once Saved, Always Saved"

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 11:28:33 -0400

I BET HALF THE PEOPLE WHO RESPOND TO THIS QUESTION DONT REALLY KNOW THE ANSWER DO THEY?

FOOD FIGHT!!!

Mon, 16 Oct 2006 13:49:53 -0400

flings peas

APRIL 8th PREDICTION

Fri, 16 May 2003 00:57:46 -0400

[b]This thread was originally started on May 20, 2002

Since the move to the new website has lost the first page to all threads, I am re-doing this one from the start. This will be a long process since I have been tracking the revival of the ancient Roman Empire for about a year now. I will now attempt to start it again from the beginning, by retrieving all of the links from the original thread, but some don't have links because I pasted them before I learned how to post up links to websites, sorry. Some of my commentaries will be lost forever however. Let the journey begin :

****************************

On April 8th, 2002, I shared my opinion as to what a particular verse in the Bible meant. To the best of my knowledge, No one has ever hit upon what this verse means. This verse provides a tiny thumbnail sketch that describes something the coming Anti-christ will do. Is it possible that some in the body of Christ will know who the AC is before his 42 month reign on this earth, that opens the beginning of the tribulation period?? That is one tough question, but I would like to share something that I believe the Lord revealed to me, that could very possibly identify who the AC is. After I said this, I forgot about it, because no one seemed to want to expand on it. Actually I would like to credit my friend Josiah for finding this. I have no idea how he could have remembered something I said over a month earlier, but he did, and it should be credited to him as a great catch. He also provided the links that shed the light on this subject. I will now attempt to cut and paste these things from another forum, to this one. I hope it works. Stand by please.

What did Jesust Teach about Tithing to Christians ?

Sun, 08 Jan 2006 20:31:06 -0500

What did Jesust Teach about Tithing to Christians ?

Under the law it was commanded and God loves a cheerful giver, there are so many different opinions about tithing,what do you think and why?

Land of Unity

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 21:23:28 -0400

Hey everyone!

I was told it'd be ok if I started up a lastness thread again.How is everyone? Hope you all had/are having a great day!

p.s. I just wanted to clarify,I started this since the fellowship kinda died on the other threads because of things that happened.However, I agree with the moderator's decisions.

Word Connection Game

Mon, 03 Jan 2005 12:53:30 -0500

Put a word that relates with what the last person posted.
Please , lets us all keep this clean .

I'll post mine first.

TRAVEL <..............

LOVE and PEACE to everyone,

Make a 3 word sentence

Sun, 01 Feb 2004 19:34:19 -0500

I will start off by giving three letters and you will use each one for a word to make a three letter sentence. However, the letters have to remain in the order they are given-no switching around! Once you answer, you will provide the next three letters, and so on.

Example:
J S M
Jesus Saved Me
Jim Sees Mary

Okay, here's your three letters to start:
C F P

HAVE FUN!

Difference between JUSTIFICATION and SANCTIFICATION

Wed, 06 Jul 2005 17:48:24 -0400

Hello dear saints in the Lord,

Recently, we've encountered several threads dealing with a WORKS based salvation, so I thought I would express where I personally stand on the issue.

THERE IS a distinct DIFFERENCE in JUSTIFICATION and SANTIFICATION!

You see you cannot MIX the two, because once you do -- you start walking a fine line -- trying to "COMPLETE" your salvation through your works.

Let's go through line upon line and precept upon precept. First of all, salvation is 100% the work of GOD.

Romans 3:24-28 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Ephesians 2:8-9 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.

So the first part to understanding JUSTIFICATION is that it's the GIFT OF GOD, it's not something you CAN EARN -- it's not something you CAN WORK FOR -- you are JUSTIFIED through FAITH!

What is FAITH?

F -- FORSAKING
A -- ALL
I -- I
T -- TRUST
H -- HIM

We live by FAITH, we are JUSTIFIED by FAITH!

So where does WORKS become involved in our walk?

God has sent forth HIS SPIRIT to work in all of us once we become REGENERATED, and become a NEW CREATION! This work of the HOLY SPIRIT is SANTIFICATION! How long does this work of SANTIFICATION continue? YOUR ENTIRE LIFE! So what is SANTIFICATION? Santification is a cleansing of one's mind, one's heart, one's desires from the things of this world and a renewing of their mind, heart, and desires to that of the LORD.

What happens when your mind, your heart, and your desires changes -- so that you put on the MIND OF CHRIST, have a HEART that seeks to LOVE GOD above all -- then your desires will be that of GOD! Your life will START PRODUCING WORKS -- your regenerated life will START PRODUCING FRUIT!

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Do you see the DIFFERENCE?

One is JUSTIFICATION -- how we can be justified before GOD.
The other is SANTIFICATION -- how our lives will change once we've been JUSTIFIED.

Next time, I'll share the DANGERS of trying to be JUSTIFIED with a MIXING of WORKS AND FAITH!

We'll continue this study until we've exhausted the subject so feel free to ask questions,

Your brother in Christ with much agape love,

George

Word Association Game

Thu, 22 Jan 2004 20:31:24 -0500

I saw this on another board.

The rule is a word is posted, and someone else posts a word (or phrase) that the word posted makes them think of. The next person does the same for the newly posted word (or phrase).

Wanna go for it?

First word:

Go

Change one letter game.

Mon, 25 Sep 2006 20:07:26 -0400

This is a game I saw on another forum and I thought it might be good here. I'll start with a word and the next person changes one letter to make a new word and so on. For instance, say I start with the word "pain". The next person might change the last letter and make the word "pail" The next person could make pair...or tail....or so on.....

So I will start with....

Make

What makes an atheist so scary

Sun, 19 Nov 2006 23:42:53 -0500

As an atheist, I worry about the distrust and fear that some theists have for atheists. Because of this, I want to ask a general question.

What is it about atheism or the atheist that you find frightening or damaging to society?

I have included some information that theists and atheists alike might find interesting about the fear and discrimination in America.

According to a study done by the Sociology department at the University of Minnesota, the atheist is America's most distrusted minority.

QUOTE(http://www.ur.umn.edu/FMPro?-db=releases&-lay=web&-format=umnnewsreleases/releasesdetail.html&ID=2816&-Find)

From a telephone sampling of more than 2,000 households, university researchers found that Americans rate atheists below Muslims, recent immigrants, gays and lesbians and other minority groups in �sharing their vision of American society.� Atheists are also the minority group most Americans are least willing to allow their children to marry.

There are even state constitutions in seven states that directly conflict with the first amendment by not allowing an atheist to take office.

QUOTE(North Carolina's Constitution)

Article 6, Section 8: "The following persons shall be disqualified for office:
First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God. "
anti-atheist laws

For the sake a meaningful discussion, I would like to point out two different atheistic views.
Weak Atheist/Agnostic - someone who has no belief in a god
Strong Atheist - someone who has a belief that there is no god

Keep in mind that the anti-theist, one who hates god, is not an atheist.

I am asking this question because I worry about fear and distrust, no matter what the context I hope that common ground and understanding can be found in order to minimize needless hatred. I plan to address my fellow atheists about the issues that are brought up in order to make them aware of some of the confusing matters we must educate others about in order to be accepted as human beings.

Salvation...Can it be lost???

Sun, 17 Jul 2005 21:11:09 -0400

What do you guys think and please show Scriptural support. This could be a biggie. But I think it is a very important topic for Christians for many different reasons. Who wants to get the ball rolling???

Replacement Theology in American Churches

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 17:03:33 -0500

It has been said that millions upon millions of so-called "church" members today in America never hear a word in the pulpit concerning the Jewish State, Israel, and what the Bible has to say about it in the Old Testament prophecies. The people who patronize these churches are included in your mainstream Christian denominations and are totally left in the dark. In fact, these same churches believe that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who is the God of the Jewish people whom Christians know as Jesus Christ, believe that God himself is through with the Jewish people and the State of Israel, and that the Jewish people are no longer His chosen people and they no longer are part of God's bigger plan of Salvation, and endorse and support the enemies of the Jewish State of Israel This is what is called "Replacement Theology", in simple words, meaning the Christian "church" has replaced Israel and God's promises in the Old Testament are no longer relevant to the Jews and Israel, and has its roots in antisemitism.

The leaders and members of these churches haven't a clue in understanding the extreme importance concerning what is happening in the world today as it concerns Israel, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Turkey and other Middle East countries or the formation of the EU as it relates to ISRAEL and the Jewish people. If you are a member of any of these churches, you know what I am talking about. You won't hear a word about this in your congregation. And if you happen to mention it to any of the members, they will look at you with a blank stare on their face, or tell you it is no longer relevent, or change the subject, or tell you you don't know what you are talking about.

Among the denominational churches are the Roman Catholic Church, Presbyterian Church USA, The Lutheran Church and Evangelican Luthern Church, The United Methodist Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints, The Episcopal Church, and many many of your so-called evangelican Christian churches, just to name a few, but there are many more. These churches are in fact, dead churches because God has not forgotten about His promises to Israel and the Jews, according to biblical Old Testament prophecy, and the Jews are still God's chosen people. Israel, in fact is God's time clock and all of the events we see taking place in the Middle East nations involve Israel and the Jews and is the number one political agenda for all of the world's power leaders.

It is a sad fact that most of the church currently endorses Replacement Theology ie: that it has removed from Israel, as a nation, God's original Covenants with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob which promised to their descendants a central position in God's everlasting program concerning the affairs of the human race and the destiny of our world, and attributed those promises to the church which is born again believers.

The Word of God, itself, is sufficient witness to this truth concerning Israel and its importance for every believer. If we lack this knowledge we do not have the WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD and therefore cannot discern the times we are living in.. MUCH OF ISRAEL RELATED BIBLICAL PROPHECY IS UNFOLDING BEFORE OUR EYES IN OUR GENERATION .A main reason why much of the church is weak and ineffective in its ministry today is lack of this knowledge. The church cannot wholly appropriate the Ministry of the Holy Spirit without embracing the whole counsel of God as set forth in His Word. In measure, the church is currently reaping something of the essence of what Revelation 22: 18 - 19 has to say about changing the Word of God . I think if you prayerfully read Romans Chapters 9,10 and 11, you will have a good foundation from which to further develop your grasp of this truth.

My Web Blog

Jesus-myth or "copycat savior" myth refuted.

Sat, 07 Oct 2006 22:48:41 -0400

I have over the last several months been doing research over the internet about the theory that Jesus somehow
was some copycat or myth. If you do your research objectively to find truth, without personal bias, you will come
to the same conclusion that I have. Many people, from what I have read, have asserted that demons or the like
"knew what was coming" and "Satan as counterfeting the true" based on these assertions of supposed "similarities"
between our faith and others. What I HAVE found is a more simplistic answer, albeit hard to swallow by most.

The claims of this are simply outright lies; they hold no basis in reality whatsover. The people that write books
of this nature may indeed be inspired by a spirit of antchrist or demons, but regardless, they are simply liars,
twisting things to an absurd extent. A legendary god that came from a rock to the people that write books such
as these (which convenientily appeal to the masses that wish to deny christ and they know will sell) is equated with
"The virgin birth." In other words, some stupid legend about how some god came out of a rock is evidence that
it is a direct parallel to beliefs of christianity. It's insane. But it makes money, appeals to atheist, the "sciientific"
and the majority of society. Appealing to our common sense and objectively and factually evaluating the claims
of these so-called scholars will lead us to no other conclusion that these people are just a bunch of fanatical liars.

I'd be hard pressed to make a decision wether or not even THEY believe what they write. But money being a
factor, In the form of selling books to the masses, I suppose, this is irellevant to them.

God Bless.

New Names

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 21:42:35 -0400

I've noticed that there are some good ideas for new names popping up. Maybe we can post them here instead of in all the different threads. This way, we can keep them all in one place.

If you want to change yours, or if you have names for other people, along with a bunch of bribe money for me, post them....

t.

You'll never find the perfect church

Wed, 23 Feb 2005 03:10:21 -0500

Yesterday I did a devotional that I believe applies to every fellowship -- whether it is a church, a fellowship, online Christian forums, or Christian chat rooms!

Your brother in Christ with much agape love,

George

Look up!

Jeremiah 17:5,7 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

We have heard numerous people tell us stories about people or pastors in their churches who�ve hurt them. Many of them left their congregations in upset, never to return again. Interestingly, we�ve found that those same people will usually experience this scenario again and again in their lives. The simple reason is this -- that they are constantly looking to man to fulfill their needs -- and this will never work.

We are sinful people, raised in a sinful world, and enduring, as the world gets more and more sinful, until Messiah comes. Someone may have said or done a thing they shouldn�t, that caused us pain. But we, as believers, are called to rely upon the Lord for strength, sustenance, encouragement, self esteem -- all the things for which we often turn to man. D.L. Moody once said, �Lift your eyes from off these puny Christians - from off these human ministers, and look to Christ. He is the Saviour of the world!�

Every single one of us has experienced hurtful words and actions from other Christians -- but in all truth, others have experienced the same from us. Let�s give our troubled hearts to the Lord in every situation and ask Him to help us get free -- so that we can move onto the bigger and better things He has for us!

What do you object to regarding Christianity and Jesus?

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 18:24:36 -0500

In another thread I posted to TheProcess

Why not just list to us the things you find immoral? Tell us what parts you dont like. Lets discuss those things.

I would like to have a civil, open, discussion into the things that TheProcess finds immoral about Christianity (his words). Any one is welcome to post their objections about Jesus for discussion. I encourage all believers to post in this thread too. All to His praise and glory.

Defense of the Post Trib Rapture

Tue, 13 May 2003 08:44:00 -0400

Hello brothers and sisters,

Since the forums got a little jumbled, I decided to go ahead and start a few new threads. This thread is the defense of the post-trib rapture theological position.

Why do you believe in a post trib rapture?

Your brother in Christ with much agape love,

George

Defense of the Pre Trib Rapture

Tue, 13 May 2003 08:37:34 -0400

Hello brothers and sisters,

Since the forums got a little jumbled, I decided to go ahead and start a few new threads. This thread is the defense of the pre-trib rapture theological position.

Why do you believe in a pre trib rapture?

Your brother in Christ with much agape love,

George

A Biblical Understanding Of Grace

Tue, 05 Jul 2005 20:59:19 -0400

A Biblical Understanding Of Grace: Part I

By Shiloh357

The Grace of God; It is, perhaps, the most sublime matter that can be found in all of Scripture. From beginning to end, the Bible is a revelation of God�s grace to fallen man. From the day that God first killed an animal to clothe Adam and Eve until that final day when we all be transfigured and clothed with the glory of God, one of the Bible�s uppermost themes, is the inestimable Grace of God.

I. The Definition of Grace
What is grace? Often grace is defined merely as �unmerited favor.� But that does not really do it justice. From Genesis, to Revelation, we see God showering grace upon a fallen, miserable, rebellious race known as the human race. From the day that Adam brought sin into the world through his rebellion to God�s command, mankind has been living in open rebellion against God.

We see God all throughout the Bible putting forth His hand in kindness calling and longing for man to both receive His love and to return it in kind. We see Him extending His love toward man only to have that love answered with contempt, pride, open rebellion, and an utter revulsion at the suggestion of His very existence. How would you react, if the very object of your love, the one who is your chief desire, responded with disdain at the fact that you were alive?

When God sent His Son, Jesus, it was His ultimate act of Grace taking precedence over all that He had done, or has done since. Jesus, God in the flesh, came unto his own, and His own received Him not (John 1:11). Jesus brought the grace of God down to fallen man in a way that man could see who God is, and how much He loves each and every person. He healed the sick, He raised the dead, He fed thousands, He reached out to the outcasts the misfits, the societal �throw-a-ways.� He brought forgiveness and hope to those that the religious leaders had given up on. Jesus showed that it was God�s will bless His us, not to harm us. Even to those who should have been destroyed according to strict adherence to the law, Jesus brought mercy and restoration. Jesus demonstrated that mercy is grace in action. The Hebrew word for �bless� is barakh. It means to kneel. It is not a reference to kneeling is subjugation, but rather �kneeling to enrich.� The word picture is that of a father who kneels to relate to his children face to face. Jesus did exactly that. He brought the love of God down to us. Jesus was the Father�s way of getting down on His knees to relate to us face to face, to pull us to Himself and hold us close; close enough that we can hear his heartbeat.

Yet for all that, Jesus was reviled, he was hated so much that a �kangaroo court,� a mockery and sham of a trial was instigated against Him. False witnesses were brought to accuse him, and nearly 200 laws from both the Torah and the Talmud had to be broken just put Jesus on trial. He was reviled and lied about, but He never opened His mouth. He was beaten, and scourged within in an inch of death, and he never once sought to defend Himself. Surely, those twelve legions consisting of 72,000 angels of the armies of the Living God stood ready with swords drawn, nearly busting the seams of heaven to come to the aid of their King if He would but give the word. Just one word from Jesus, and the earth would have been a cinder block hurtling through space.

Yet, Jesus as he never failed to do, continued to demonstrate God�s Grace by offering up prayer for His enemies. �Father, forgive them� they don�t know what they are doing.� Even on the cross in agony, His mind was not on His pain, his torn flesh, the splinters in His back, the torture of the nails that impaled Him to the cross. He thoughts were for His enemies. His thoughts were for His mother. His ministry did not end in Gethsemane. Even on the cross Jesus offered salvation and forgiveness. Jesus� thoughts were not upon Himself, but upon us. Jesus was thinking about His enemies, the thief, His mother, and he was thinking about you.

It has been said that offering salvation was a greatest the act of God in the history of the universe. It was a greater demonstration of His power than the creation of the universe. This is so, because in salvation, God gave all He had. Jesus gave EVERYTHING to save you and me. We are rebellious, selfish, demanding, impatient, prideful, full of vanity, bitter, foolish, contemptuous, and yet God still loves us. He never gives up on us. He always is there to give a second chance, a third chance, a 56th chance. Even when we are faithless, the Bible says, He is faithful. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. We have spurned his love, and trampled it with our selfish desire to do our own thing. And once we have screwed everything up and made a horrible mess of our lives, He is there, waiting at the portals, watching like the Father of the prodigal son. Waiting to embrace us in His loving arms. No matter how much we have hurt Him, He is willing to receive us back with open arms. One thing you can be sure of; Jesus will never break your heart.

I posit therefore, that grace is NOT unmerited favor at all. Grace is the over-exhibited mercy, loving kindness and �favor� of God, given freely to those who merit His uttermost contempt, and disfavor.