Kindness Through Grace

Kindness Through Grace

Eph. 2:7,8 "That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

God expresses his abundant grace, by the kindness that he shows to us, through our Savior Jesus. We are saved, healed, redeemed, rescued, preserved and forgiven, because our Heavenly Father chose to love us when we were yet sinners. If we weren't sinners, there would be no need for forgiveness, but thank God that he saw our condition and made a way for us to be reconciled to him.

His kindness has made it possible for you to have an intimate relationship with him; an ongoing and un-interrupted relationship with him! Jesus is your advocate with the Father, and he said he would never leave or forsake us! If you believe that his word is true, and that his kindness is meant for you, You can be saved by faith in him. His kindness is free for the asking! " And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."(Rev. 22:17b)

There is a purpose for this kindness that has been shown to us. We are new creations in Christ, created to show kindness to the people around us. We are created for "good works."

Eph.2:10 " For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto [for] good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

You are a unique work of art, created by God! His purpose for you, is to touch the world around you with his unconditional love, through your kindness and good works. You are created to pass on the kindness that He has shown to you!

Let God have his way in your heart, and let him heal the hurts and emotional scars in you, so that you can be a light in your world. You can show the the world that God is love, by being kind and forgiving. ( A grumpy, stingy Christian, is not passing God's grace on to others.)

Do the world a favor- put others first, practice preemptive kindness, and unconditional good will. Be helpful, not critical. It's your job to show kindness to the undeserving and to the unworthy! Be slow to take offense, and quick to compliment. Be a willing servant, not a resentful employee.

It's not your job to point out people's mistakes and sins, It's your job to point people to Jesus, and show them kindness. Be somebody's answer to prayer! You just might be the one who God wants to use, to reach someone with a smile or a pat on the back!

As you grow in grace and in the knowledge of his will, you will find out that it's important how you treat the people around you. Let Jesus live big in you, so you can learn to be kind, and a little bit more friendly.

  Don't waste your time trying to find your 'destiny', or your 'ministry', or your 'talent'; God will send you plenty of opportunities to serve him by being kind to the people who you encounter every day. The Lord will direct your path as you rest in him, and show his grace to those around you.

You were created in Christ Jesus to do good works and to point people toward Jesus.

God Bless you in your walk with Him!

©2011 Rev. Charles J. Loubert

Accepted in the Beloved

Accepted in the Beloved

Eph. 1:4-6 "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he has made us accepted in the beloved.

Who is 'the beloved' ? When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, they heard a voice from Heaven say, "This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased". Then, at the mount of transfiguration, Peter, James, and John heard the voice of God again when he said, "This is my Beloved Son, hear him." Jesus, mankind's representative and Savior, is "The Beloved" !

Before you were even born, at the foundation of the age, your heavenly father made a plan to adopt you into his family, and make you a part of the body of Christ. There is no reason to doubt your standing with God! You are accepted in the beloved! It was the Father's good pleasure to accept you into his family!

The Greek word for 'accepted', is also translated as 'highly favored' in Luke 1:28, when the angel Gabriel greeted Mary and said, "Hail, thou art highly favored, the Lord is with thee:" You also are highly favored! You are one of God's favorite people! The Lord is with you!

By believing in Jesus and accepting the fact that he took your place and suffered for your sins, you are given a new life in Christ. Don't disqualify yourself for any reason! You are eligible to receive eternal life, because God's grace [his undeserved favor and good will] is free to all who will believe him, and accept his wonderful gift. (Rom.10:9,13)

Your need for a savior, and your inability to keep God's rules and commandments, qualifies you for eternal life, and for the total forgiveness of all your sins! Jesus came to save sinners!When you dare to believe the good news of your redemption, you are adopted into God’s immediate family, and you are pleasing to the Heavenly Father because of your faith in his son Jesus the Messiah.

Nothing can change that fact! No one can take your salvation away, and no sin is bigger than God's grace and mercy! Nothing can separate you from the love of God! (Rom.8:38,39)

Brother or sister: when you have failed or fallen short of what you think God expects of you, remember that you are still accepted in the Beloved! Don't let the enemy use your sins or mistakes as an opportunity to fill you with discouragement and condemnation. Acknowledge your sin to your Heavenly Father, and accept the fact that your sins were forgiven and taken away at Calvary; Accept by faith, that you are accepted in the Beloved- in spite of your guilty feelings, and your unworthiness.

When you are told by misguided teachers, that God will not hear you or accept you because you have sinned, just remember, that, you are "Accepted in the Beloved"! When you were still a sinner, and dead in your sins, God loved you and sent his son to be your savior.

Your salvation and forgiveness was a 'done deal' when Jesus rose, victorious, from the grave! By accepting what God has done on your behalf, you have placed your faith in him and reaped the benefits of his grace and unconditional love.

When you pray, remember that you are one of God's favorite people, you are accepted in the Beloved, and God hears your heart's cry. You can have boldness and confidence before your Heavenly Father, because Jesus has paved the way into the throne room of God. Your petitions are presented with faith, when you understand your favored status with God. (Keep in mind always, that your access to the throne is because of what Jesus has done, and not because you have deserved special favor by your own merits or good works!)

Eph.3:12 ESV "in whom [in Christ] we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him."

Heb. 4:16 KJV "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

Accept the fact that you are accepted in the Beloved !

©2011 Rev. Charles J. Loubert