UNDERSTANDING GOD’S GRACE (4)
Bible Reading – John 15:4-7
INTRODUCTION
The normal
life of a Christian requires a continued commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ if such Christian wants to grow in the precious grace he has received.
A Christian need to maintain this grace of God in his life, this teaching therefore deals with principles that should guide every Christian in his daily walk with God.
HOW CAN A CHRISTIAN MAINTAIN GOD’S GRACE?
A Christian must always abide in Christ because without this he can not be able to do anything – John 5:4,5: 1 John 2:28
We must walk in the Spirit because it is the Holy Spirit that can always guide us aright so that we will not fall – Gal 5:25
We need to walk in Christ always, he will never allow us to go astray – Col 2:6
We need to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ – 2 Pet 3:18
We should not be enticed by evildoers – Pro 1:10
We need to keep God’s command in our heart always – Pro 3:1; 7:1-3
We must maintain a continued obedient faith in Christ – Article 9
If we want to maintain God’s saving grace in our life, we must constantly obey His word and faithfully follow him.
Anyone who disobeys God and His word will fall from his grace as a result of his disobedience – Lk 6:46; Mt 7:26, 27; Rom 2:6-11; 6:16
A child of God must continue to be responsive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in order to maintain God’s grace – Rom 8:14
IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER
God’s children need to pray for God’s will to be done always here on earth just as it is in heaven – Mt 6:10
We need to pray always that we are not lead into temptation that may draw us away from God’s grace – Mt 6:13
We need to pray for the Spirit of God to possess our life so that we will always obey God’s divine will – John 6:38; Phil 2:5,13
We must seek to know God’s will by prayer, Bible reading and fully dependence in the guidance of the Holy Spirit 2 Cor 4:7; 12:9, 10; Eph 6:18
We need also to dedicate ourselves to godly living which abhors ‘that which is evil,’ and cleaves ‘to that which is good’ – Rom 12:9.
CONCLUSION Christians live in the world where God’s grace is always challenged and tried by fire – John 16:33; 2 Tim 3:12, the power of God can be proved in these challenges and trials.
If we are able to overcome all these trials and challenges anytime, then we are
maintaining God’s grace in our life as Christians.