THE WORK OF GRACE II
MEMORIZE: And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
BIBLE READING ISAIAH 49:24-26
24. Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?
25. But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.
26. And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
MESSAGE
Today, we shall continue with the study we commenced yesterday on the work of grace in the life of man. In our Bible reading we are assured that there is someone who can deliver the lawful captive. However, this is only achievable through grace.
When darkness envelopes an individual, the fellow’s life becomes meaningless. The power of darkness is from the devil. Those whose lives are engulfed in darkness can never experience peace, joy and abundant life.
There is however, good news in Colossians 1:12-15 which tells us that our God has delivered us from the power of darkness and has translated us into the kingdom of His Son.
This kingdom is the Kingdom of light because the Bible says concerning Jesus Christ: Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. – (John 8:12)
Beloved, in what areas of your life have you been experiencing the devastating influence of the power of darkness? Seek the grace that brought salvation to all men according to Titus 2:11-12 which says, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world”.
The lessons from this Scripture are many. The grace of God brings salvation – all-round salvation for that matter. This grace is equally teaching and empowering us to shun a sinful life and worldliness.
This is why, when Jesus Christ saw the man who was healed of what hitherto had been described as an incurable disease, later in the temple, He told him, “..Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more lest a worse thing come unto thee” (John 5:14). As freely as the work of grace flows towards us, we must never take it for granted.
May the work of grace flow freely in your life, in the mighty name of Jesus.
PRAYER POINT:
Lord, please deliver me from all forms of captivity by Your work of grace, in Jesus’ name.
BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: JUDGES 3-5
HYMN: CONQUERORS AND OVERCOMERS NOW ARE WE
1. Conquerors and overcomers now are we,
Thro’ the precious blood of Christ we’ve victory
If the Lord be for us, we can never fail,
Nothing ‘gainst His mighty pow’r can e’er prevail.
REFRAIN:
Conquerors are we, thro’ the blood, thro’ the blood,
God will give us victory, thro’ the blood, thro’ the blood
Thro’ the Lamb for sinners slain,
Yet who lives and reigns again,
More than conquerors are we,
More than conquerors are we.
2. In the name of Israel’s God we’ll onward press,
Overcoming sin and all unrighteousness;
Not to us, but unto Him the praise shall be,
For salvation and for blood-bought victory.
3. Unto him that overcometh shall be giv’n,
Here to eat of hidden manna sent from heav’n,
Over yonder he the victor’s palm shall bear,
And a robe of white, and golden crown shall wear.
