December 12, 2024 -- Ephesians 1:3-4 -- The grace of Jesus that breaks every lie of the Devil

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Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.
Ephesians 1:3-4 ESV
 
Some of the preachers I listen to refer to the grammar of grace. This is what they mean by that expression. First the blessing and love of God reach the believer, so that he is transformed from an object of the wrath of God to a forgiven child of God. Second, a believer knows in his heart and mind and soul that he is precious to the Living God, through Jesus Christ and this spiritual blessing is kept safe in heaven and is sealed in him by the Holy Spirit. Grace first, then in view of the grace received we realize there is work to do.
 
As believers, children of the Most High God, we are called to be holy and blameless. From the place of grace, we enter the race to leave former sins and more fully embrace the grace that is ours in Christ. We fight former sins not so that we can be pleasing to God, we already are pleasing to God through Jesus. We fight former sins as beloved sons and daughters who want to get closer to God.
 
At Step 6 believers commit themselves to working out the grace of God into every part of their lives as they say, “I am ready to let God take away all my hurts, character weaknesses, and wrongdoings” (Overcomers Workbook, Day 45, page 114). The Devil often uses past events, sins, or wrongs committed against you, to try and drive you away from God. He hisses at you as if you were unworthy or even hateful to God. It is an old lie and worn-out trick.
 
God spoke grace into your life precisely because you were once an object of wrath. God spoke grace into your life through Jesus Christ precisely because you could not reach out to Him, you could not heal yourself. You needed Him. And before you even knew the greatness of your need, before the world was created, He chose you in love. He knew all your brokenness, all your sins, all the things you thought would make you unacceptable, and He said, “You are mine”.
 
Whatever past lies grip you or wrongs you have committed and confessed to God so you are forgiven threaten your security in Jesus Christ, remind Yourself these things are precisely why God sent Jesus and then sealed the love of Jesus into your heart. Now, go and sin no more. In the strength of the heavenly blessings that are already yours in Jesus Christ, embrace His grace which is for you.
 
Father in heaven, thank You for the depth of love You have demonstrated to Your people in Jesus Christ. Precious Lord Jesus, thank You for the wells of salvation You provide, which assure and reassure me I am Yours. Beautiful Spirit of God, hold to my mind, heart, and memory the accomplished work of Jesus so that graced by His redeeming love I can rise up and live an ever more holy and blameless life which You, Holy Spirit, bring to reality in me. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/q6613kvET6M?si=CoZX_kz2pg4hubEL “Let Me Be a Child of Peace”
 

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