THE DYNAMISM OF GRACE.

TEXT: - “WHAT shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin,

live any longer therein.” ROMANS 6:1,2.

   Grace in a general term means an unmerited favour of GOD, but it is explained with an acronym which is highlighted below;

G-   GOD’s.

R-   Riches.

A-     At.

C-   Christ’s.

E-   Expense.

   When we talk about Grace, it is actually GOD’s riches at Christ expenses;
He is our purchasing power (that is the hard currency that GOD used to purchase our Salvation).

There is a quote which usually surprises most People beyond every imagination;

“We might be age Mate, but not Grace Mate.”

 PASTOR MRS. FUNKE FELIX ADEJUMO.

 Actually, the first time I heard it; it marveled me also, not until this May when we traveled to Jos for Workers and Ministers conference.  That day I fasted and as the program continued I had no opportunity  to break the fast till around 9:00pm or so, and when the food arrived, it was so surplus that some People had two plates, and I fully aware that everyone was entitled to a plate of rice; because that was the original plan of the people who packaged the food, but with the way I was feeling that day I just concluded that, One plate of rice would not be enough for me, actually I was the one distributing the food to others, so after everyone had eaten and I have just consumed the two plates of Rice, and  I was still left with another extra plate of rice, it was a real temptation! Then something within me told me I was not doing the right thing, then I had to let go of the last plate of rice; what am I saying in essence? There are things others do and go scot free, but as a Child of GOD you can’t afford to do them, and when you do so, you get punished.

That night I felt like an Hero, but the following morning, my stomach disturbed me, and I had to make use of the toilet, although there was toilet, but there was no bucket, no bowl and morning devotion was going on, I was distracted even though I was following them in prayers while sitting in the toilet, I had to use one of the pure water I reserved in my bag, which was another offence entirely because, after I drank two sachets I still went to our lodge with 3 extra pure water in my bag; as if that was not enough, my conscience would not let me leave the toilet unkempt, so, I started looking for bucket with which to flush the toilet,  and everyone wanted to take their bath at that moment and one Lady told me bluntly;

"I can't give you my  bucket, I will rather  give it to someone who wants to take her bath”, so she said, the search for bucket alone was a stress on its own, I left her alone, I thought by telling them I just wanted to flush the toilet would make them release the bucket to me, but  that did not help matter, then in my search for bucket someone pointed at a pile of buckets to me and I was so glad I had found one at last, not so, they were two or three inseparable buckets glued together with condensed cement, do we call it block? It was heavy and at the same time leaking, but I had to carry it and the borehole was not that close to where I was going to, and I was breathing heavily as I carried it on, and when I poured the first half bucket, it wasn't enough, I went the second time, the inner bucket released her content- I mean; it painted the toilet with cement, I felt like crying, I had to go the third time, but this time with Prayers and I pleaded for Mercy so this last one would not be dirty as well, so tiring and my joints were paining me even my back, then I successfully flushed the toilet and it was clean this time. To summarize that experience 

I actually got the prize for my indiscipline, simply because I failed to pay the price of being disciplined, it is better we pay the price of discipline than to bear the pain that usually follows every act of indiscipline. Which is better? In a long run, I could not take my bath that morning because it was already past six and the program would be starting by 7:00 am. So I had to go like that, but the testimony is this, one of us had a scorpion sting and that was the same place I was supposed to take my bath, who knows? That would have distracted me, because as a health personnel being conscious of what it takes to be beaten by a Snake or scorpion when there is no antidocte nearby. All thanks to GOD because while chastising us, he still remembered to be merciful and his love faileth not. Others did it and went scot free but GOD did not pardon me for that because I had more understanding on Spiritual matters as such.

 We are been taught in our Churches that GRACE is free, that's true, but I would like to take us in another dimension on the concept of Grace; This may baffle us, but it is a bitter pill which we all have to swallow joyfully.

"Grace is free, but we still have a price to pay". 
This means we have a vital role to play.

    Every Sunday school Child would recite JOHN 3:16.off hand.

"For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have an everlasting life." JOHN 3:16.

     Before we proceed I will like to draw our attention to two basic truth about the transaction details of our Salvation; these are the key points:

For instance, before you go into a supermarket, there must be a genuine desire that you needed to buy something there, but  sometimes the motive behind our going to the Supermarket is driven by mere want which can be done away with if we so desired. But GOD has a pressing need which required an urgent attention; which is the state of Men who are loitering on the path of destruction, and He needed to bring us back to the right track back to Himself, that means there is a driving force; which is "LOVE" that's the Desire of GOD towards humanity, out of Love, He gave, because Love is all about giving and giving is love, but the truth is that you can still give without loving, and certainly you cannot love without giving, therefore, without giving love is incomplete and inactive.

   “HE GAVE”, that is; He offered the purchasing power, which is our LORD JESUS Christ, (His Blood). The question now is? Can you just go to a supermarket, give your money to the Cashier and walk out without picking anything from their shelf? That is certainly not possible. So, when He gave the transaction money, He then Wait in earnest expectations to receive something back in return, which is our "LIVES" and that is encapsulated in our “FAITH AND BELIEF”.

Then, what is belief? Belief is the sum total of our perception or view about a subject matter.

Obedience is the very best way to demonstrate that we actually believed on what the LORD commanded us which is the Sum total of “HOLINESS IN CHRIST JESUS”.

The next question is;

 How do you believe?

Below are few of the numerous ways in which we can enhance our believe or strengthen our belief system in CHRIST JESUS.

1. You believe by searching the Scriptures;

“Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think, and ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” JOHN 5:39.

By so doing you would be increasing your knowledge about the Love and Mission of the Cross that is; our Salvation.

2. Total Obedience to the truth which is being discovered after the thorough search of Scriptures that is; the Holy Bible, so as to be the doer and not the hearer alone. For in this do we find our bearing in life and also help to know our stand in CHRIST JESUS Our LORD.

3. Forsake not the assembly of one another together, HEBREWS 10:25. For Faith Cometh by hearing and hearing the Word of God. ROMANS 10:17.

4. Letting go of our own will, way, and surrendering totally to the Will of GOD, and casting all our burdens on Him, for He cares for us, which is by surrendering our totality unto GOD who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly far above that which we think, ask or imagine. (EPHESIANS 3:20).

This can only be achieved when we follow the Principle given to us according to MATTHEW 11:28, 29).

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are

heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest

Unto your souls".

5. Another vital sign to show that we believed is by saying goodbye to our old ways of life, for we now have a new Name,new identity and New responsibility in CHRIST JESUS and promise never to go back to our vomit.

“For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins".

HEBREWS 10:26.