Continue
Recently, as I was reading the book of Acts, I was struck by the fact that Paul “persuaded them to continue in the grace of God” (Acts 13:43). He had just preached in the synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia. He told the congregation of Jews and Gentile proselytes that God had raised up a Savior from the linage of David. He goes on to proclaim the message of “salvation” (Actsv13:26), namely, that Jesus died (Acts 13:27-28; Gal. 3:1), that He was buried (Acts 13:29), that He arose from the dead (Acts 13:30, 33-37) and that He was seen (Acts 13:31). In other words, Paul preached the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-8). Paul concluded his sermon by telling the congregation that those who believe are forgiven and justified (Acts 13:38). In short, he preached the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24). It was after the service that Paul persuaded those who had believed to continue in the grace of God. That sermon is not recorded. I wish it had been.
What does Paul mean by continuing in the grace of God? Peter says believers are to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). Peter also informs us that if we have “tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Pet. 2:3), we should lay aside “all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,” and “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word” that we may grow (1 Pet. 2:1-2). Surely, at least part of growing in the grace of God is setting aside sin and saturating our minds with the Word of God.
There is another element in growing in the grace of God. The writer to the Hebrews urges believers to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). It is only as we seek God’s grace that we have the power to set aside sin and obey God’s will as revealed in and gleaned from His Word. God told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Cor. 12:9). Then He explained to Paul, “For My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9, italics added). Paul responded, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:9, italics added). Paul knew that as he sought the grace of God to do the will of God, He would experience the power of God.
The problem is that believers can fail to avail themselves of the grace and power that is available to them. That is why the writer to the Hebrews warns believers to be careful “lest anyone fall short of the grace of God” (Heb. 12:15).
Hence, Paul told those saved by the grace of God to continue in the grace of God. We are saved when we realize that we cannot save ourselves and we must depend on Jesus Christ, the One who died for our sins and arose from the dead, to get us to heaven. Likewise, we continue in the grace of God when we realized that without Him we can do nothing and we depend on Him for the grace and power to do His will.
© G. Michael Cocoris, 1/31/2008
What does Paul mean by continuing in the grace of God? Peter says believers are to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). Peter also informs us that if we have “tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Pet. 2:3), we should lay aside “all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,” and “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word” that we may grow (1 Pet. 2:1-2). Surely, at least part of growing in the grace of God is setting aside sin and saturating our minds with the Word of God.
There is another element in growing in the grace of God. The writer to the Hebrews urges believers to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). It is only as we seek God’s grace that we have the power to set aside sin and obey God’s will as revealed in and gleaned from His Word. God told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Cor. 12:9). Then He explained to Paul, “For My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9, italics added). Paul responded, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:9, italics added). Paul knew that as he sought the grace of God to do the will of God, He would experience the power of God.
The problem is that believers can fail to avail themselves of the grace and power that is available to them. That is why the writer to the Hebrews warns believers to be careful “lest anyone fall short of the grace of God” (Heb. 12:15).
Hence, Paul told those saved by the grace of God to continue in the grace of God. We are saved when we realize that we cannot save ourselves and we must depend on Jesus Christ, the One who died for our sins and arose from the dead, to get us to heaven. Likewise, we continue in the grace of God when we realized that without Him we can do nothing and we depend on Him for the grace and power to do His will.
© G. Michael Cocoris, 1/31/2008