Autumn, Life and death, grace, regeneration and sanctification

In Christian theology grace is the spontaneous, unmerited gift of the divine favour in the salvation of sinners, and the divine influence operating in individuals for their regeneration and sanctification.

In the many denominations of Christendom and Christianity there is a lot been said about grace, some believing it is something that has come to all people, even when not merited, others believing it only comes to those who are willing to come under that grace and have changed their lifestyle to be in line with the Will of God. Some look with a difference at the grace of God and the grace of Christ, hoping of a grace of salvation. For some the ‘Immeasurable Grace‘ is one of the essential parts of the Christian faith.

In life we have our beginning, being born innocently, been safely tucked in our mom’s womb, protected by her body and sheltered from the ugliness of the world, we are thrown into that world of ugliness and violence. Soon by growing up we regularly go wrong and miss the boat of sinlessness. In life we are confronted with a lot of regulations and laws imposed on us by others. Every day, we have to face our existence, our strengths but also our weaknesses. There is legalism that does not give us the rest we would like to find in our life.

Lots of people put their hope for a better life in man, but they should know it is not man given to bring the ideal world nor the entire peace of heart. As human people when coming to the end of our path on this world, we shall have to conclude that we just could not reach that perfectness by ourselves and that we are limited by our life. We strive for a state of perfection, but we are confronted with the fact that when our life on earth comes to an end, we shall just become dust again. We perish and often when we are gone, we are soon forgotten.

All the time we are trying to have a good life, we have to struggle, living with the idea that we have to protect and preserve ourselves. When getting older we shall come to understand, more and more, that self-preservation is the highest law of nature, and that there is some higher good we often do not understand. Though we shall have to learn that we need self-sacrifice to come to the better and to fall under the highest rule of grace.

This Autumn we can think of that man who was born on the 17th of October 4 bce.. Over two days, lots of people shall remember the dead. Strangely enough lots of people who call themselves Christian shall not think about the man who sacrificed himself for them. Probably none of them shall talk about his self-sacrifice. Christians best would think about the death of that Nazarene man who gave himself as a sacrifice for all. Later in the year, many Christians will celebrate that Nazarene man’s birth on the birthday of the goddess of light (December 25). They all shall use lots of heathen rituals to celebrate that person who gave himself at the stake, and brought grace to mankind, in the hope man would break with all those heathen rituals and false gods. But mankind is so weak, lots of people (think they) can not do without those false gods and many saints (by which they do not think of redeemed believers) they adore and worship. More often the man who was really holy (set apart) and without fault is less in the hearts and minds of people than spooks and ghosts these days.

Jesus was the man who answered the call of his heavenly Father and proclaimed His message to the world. He brought good news to the world and was prepared to be sacrificed like a lamb for God as a ransom price for our sins. In him who gave himself, we may find God’s grace, Him being prepared to accept us as His children as if we are without faults.

“even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love:” (Eph 1:4 ASV)

By the gift of Jesus and the gift of God, we receive God’s blessing. We are called out of the darkness of this world to come into His wonderful light so that we also can show others the goodness of God.

“But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for [God’s] own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1Pe 2:9 ASV)

We do not have to look so much at those who are dead, in the graves or somewhere by scattered ashes. Our anxious heart should rejoice with the glorious expectations of all the riches and treasures that await us. All the things we have to endure on this earth are just temporary and are nothing against that of what the grace of God offers us. In His great mercy, God has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

“Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” (1Pe 1:3 ASV)

Normally, because of all the things we do wrong in our life, sins bring death over us. Yes, the wages of sin is death, but we should know that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our master.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Ro 6:23 ASV)

“unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” (1Pe 1:4 ASV)

We must confess that it is very difficult to do always the right thing. Our failure to carry out God’s standard should make us aware of how much we do need that sacrificial offering of the Nazarene master teacher Jeshua, Jesus Christ, the Messiah. By our faith in Christ we shall receive the strength to persevere in faith in the promises of God. What Jesus has done for God’s children is incredible and should receive all our respect. Not keeping to his God is one of the matters of disrespect.

First of all, life itself is already created by the gift of grace and therefore ascribes merit to obedience to the law of God. that God wants sole adoration and worship. Giving worship to other gods and saints is going against the Wish of God and against the will of Jesus Christ. We then should know that normally death would come over us, but because of Jesus his sacrificial offer and God accepting that ransom offering and ransom price, we are saved and can find life again by the Grace of God.

By God’s Grace we now have a mediator between Him and us. We should be grateful that we may receive such grace and benediction or blessing.

Preceding

Additional reading

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Published by Marcus Ampe

Retired dancer, choreographer, choreologist Founder of the Dance impresario office and archive: Danscontact-Dansarchief plus the Association for Bible scholars, the Lifestyle magazines "Stepping Toes" and "From Guestwriters" and creator of the site "Messiah for all". - Gepensioneerd danser, choreograaf, choreoloog. Stichter van Danscontact-Dansarchief plus van de Vereniging voor Bijbelvorsers, de Lifestyle magazines "Stepping Toes" en "From Guestwriters" en maker van de site "Messiah for all". View more posts