House Of Grace

The House Of Grace

Ezra 9:8,9NASB “ but now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the Lord our God, to leave us an escaped remnant and to give us a peg in his holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage. For we are slaves; yet in our bondage, our God has not forsaken us, but has extended lovingkindness to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us reviving to raise up the house of our God, to restore it's ruins, and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem.”

In this famous prayer of Ezra, he acknowledges that god's grace and lovingkindness was the reason that the temple was rebuilt, the sins of Israel were forgiven, and their eyes were opened, leading to a revival of the people and a return of a remnant of the captives to Jerusalem.

Even though they were slaves, as a result of their many sins, Ezra realized that their God had not forsaken them. According to his promise, (recorded in Jer. 25:11), the captivity was rescinded after 70 yrs., by the decree of King Cyrus.

This is a good picture of our condition today, where God has shown his grace to us in that he loved us 'while we were yet sinners'; He has redeemed us and shown grace and favor in his dealings with us. We were slaves to the power of sin, finding no relief in the law, which can only condemn and expose sin, but can never produce freedom from sin. “But now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the Lord our God”, and we are granted favor and forgiveness through the mercy of God in the person of his son Jesus. God has taken away our guilt and made us part of his family when we didn't deserve it.

Rom 8:1,2 NASB “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

God is reviving us by his grace, and building us together to be a house where his Spirit can dwell and be manifested.

Phil. 2:13 “For it is God that worketh in you , both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

Eph. 2:19-21 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone; In whom the whole building fitly framed together groweth together unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

There are times when we may look around and we realize that the house of god is in need of repair. We see the ruins of a once glorious house, and feel a desire to rebuild and restore. God gives us a glimpse of his glory, and of the power that he wants to manifest, in and through, his church. Just as in Ezra's time, there must be a reviving, before there can be a rebuilding! It is the outpouring of god's grace and mercy that equips us for service; it is not clever marketing schemes, well planned programs and curriculums, or well known preachers that will revive us. The Spirit of God is the only 'change agent' that can get the job done. Many of us see the need for the restoration and revival of our churches, but personal revival and restoration is the first step that must take place in order for anything good to happen.

If we want to see the house of God rebuilt and revived, we will not accomplish it through the pointing of fingers, or by bullying and badgering our congregations. Neither will the whipping up of fervent emotions or earnest resolutions accomplish any thing of lasting benefit.

There is no condemnation in Christ! We are changed into his likeness as we behold his perfection and focus our attention on his goodness and his grace. We are changed from glory to glory as we look into his perfect law of liberty, revealed in his word and made alive to us by the Holy Spirit. Pointing out the sins and shortcomings of the saints is not the road to revival, it is the road to defeat! We must always remember that it is the goodness of god that leads us to repentance, not the accusations of the law. The law only gives strength to the power of sin, but can never give us victory over sin (see Rom. 3:20 and 1Cor. 15:56).

Victory comes as we realize what Jesus has done for us at Calvary and we accept that his presence is in us, through the the miracle of our new birth. Jesus is the firm foundation and the chief cornerstone of this eternal house; He is the true masterbuilder, we are working with him at his direction. Ps.127:1a “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it: ...”

The word 'edify' in the new testament, speaks to us of building up. We build up our brothers and sisters when we speak the truth in love; not by pointing out their sins to them, but by pointing out the truth of God's forgiveness and the abundance of his grace toward us. Remind each other of how thoroughly the blood of Jesus has cleansed us, and how wonderful his eternal redemption is. He said “I will remember your sins no more”, and “as far as the east from the west , so far have I removed your sins from you”.

Every member of the body of Christ contributes to the building of this wonderful house, by virtue of the Spirit of Christ which dwells within us. We are members one of another! Do you want to build up the house of God? Build up your brothers and sisters in the Lord by speaking kindly to them and always lifting up Jesus and his accomplishments in your conversation and conduct.

1Thess. 5:9-11 “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as ye do.”

Allow the word of God to influence your thinking and to shape your outlook on life.

2 Tim. 2:15 “Study to show thyself to be approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

All born-again children of God are called to contribute to the building up of the house of god; hence, we are called 'workmen'.

Rom. 14:17-19 “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to god, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things that make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”

©2009 Charles J. Loubert