Thursday, June 21, 2012


1Pe 4:12-14  "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." 


Knowing the love of God, walking in His love through obedience, brings strange reactions both inside and outside religious contexts. Anarchists and those not believing in the grace of God found in obedient faith; you would expect them to raise their voices and fists up to the commands of God and those who in faithful obedience attempt to follow after being Christlike. 
Yet don't be surprised that even those "good" people; yes, even those who are religious leaders try to separate Spirit led obedience to commands from so called grace. Some even say there is no connection between law and grace, obedience and faith. 
When you stand up for doctrinal integrity they will insult you for your stand of obeying Christ and your persistence in proclaiming that they repent, turn around and obey. This should be a great joy for in this you are demonstrating that you are a follower of Christ, for they did the same to Him. You will be exceedingly happy that  you stood firm when you stand in the glory of Christs' victory. This is to borrow from John Piper the joy of "Christian Hedonism". 


Dietrich Bonhoeffer call this separation of law and grace "cheap grace". 


     "Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community; it is the Lord’s Supper without confession of sin; it is absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without the living, incarnate Jesus Christ. Costly grace is the hidden treasure in the field, for the sake of which people go and sell with joy everything they have.[5] [31]It is the costly pearl, for whose price the merchant sells all that he has;[6] it is Christ’s sovereignty, for the sake of which you tear out an eye if it causes you to stumble.[7] It is the call of Jesus Christ which causes a disciple to leave his nets and follow him.[8] Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which has to be asked for, the door at which one has to knock.[9]" It is costly, because it calls to discipleship; it is grace, because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly, because it costs people their lives; it is grace, because it thereby makes them live. It is costly, because it condemns sin; it is grace, because it justifies the sinner. Above all, grace is costly, because it was costly to God, because it costs God the life of God’s Son—“you were bought with a price”[10]—and because nothing can be cheap to us which is costly to God. Above all, it is grace because the life of God’s Son was not too costly for God to give in order to make us live. God did, indeed, give him up for us. Costly grace is the incarnation of God."

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich (2003-04-15). Discipleship: DBW 4 (pp. 44-45). Augsburg Fortress. Kindle Edition. 


Yes, suffering will come, but don't be ashamed of suffering, this is for your cleansing and redemption. This suffering is a part of knowing the Love of God, He is Absolute Love. Grace is found in every jot and title of "The Law" and the commands of Christ. Just don't let your suffering be from disobedience and law breaking. 


1Pe 4:15, 16  "But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name." 


The truth is this judgment has begun in the rule of Christ, but it is beginning with Godly people. Those who are being saved are being cleansed through trials. Now for the "cheap grace" followers and those who hate obedience to Christ, what do you imagine is in store for their judgment? Some even believe there is no ultimate eternal judgment. We are scarcely saved by Christ holding on to us and giving us grace to be obedient. (No one will boast before Him, it is all from Him providing His Spirit.) 


1Pe 4:17, 18  "For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" 



Rom 2:3-8  "Do you suppose, O man--you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself--that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.  He will render to each one according to his works:  to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life;  but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury." 

So keep trusting and obeying! There is only one to put your entire faith upon, He is Absolute Love. All else is deception and decay. He is life, He is light, He is love. 



1Pe 4:19  "Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good." 



Mat 5:16-19  "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.  "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.  Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven." 


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