The True Grace Of God - (2 of 2) by Zac Poonen
Summary
The speaker argues that many Christians misunderstand the true scope of God's grace, focusing only on forgiveness of sin rather than its comprehensive nature. He explains that grace, symbolized by the seven colors of a rainbow, encompasses more than just pardon; it also brings victory over sin, leading to a life where sin cannot rule. To truly understand grace, one must acknowledge that all human understanding, including religious tradition, can be flawed and must submit to Scripture.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The manifold, many-colored grace of GodThe Greek word for manifold means many-colored, much like the seven colors that make up white light in a rainbow. Christendom often focuses on only one favorite color and misses the fullness of what grace offers.1 Peter 4:10
First aspect: Forgiveness of sins and acceptanceThe foundational aspect of grace is that God accepts us with our sins forgiven when we come with empty hands, acknowledging our sinfulness without relying on our own works.
Second aspect: Victory over sin as masterGrace goes further than just forgiving the past to ensure that sin will no longer be master over the believer. If sin rules a person's life, they are living under the law rather than under grace.
Third aspect: Strength to face trials and difficultiesGrace is the power God gives to help believers overcome awkward people, difficult circumstances, and ordinary life trials like sickness, acting as power made perfect in human weakness.
Fourth aspect: Grace teaches us to deny ungodlinessThe true grace of God instructs us to deny worldly desires, ungodliness, and the self-life inherited from Adam while we look for the return of Christ.
Working out salvation as God works withinBelievers must work out their salvation with fear and trembling because God is at work within them, granting both the willingness and the ability to do His perfect will.
Living without grumbling or disputingGod's will is that believers should do everything in their entire lives without grumbling or complaining, relying on the grace that enabled even Jesus to face the cross.
Fifth aspect: Keeping our speech always with graceBelievers are commanded to let their speech always be seasoned with grace, controlling their mother tongue through the fire of the Holy Spirit rather than the fire of hell.
Sixth aspect: Grace transforms misers into generous giversThe grace of God changes selfish people into generous individuals who willingly share their resources to support the spread of the gospel and those in need.
Seventh aspect: Spiritual gifts for serving othersThe gifts of the Holy Spirit are gifts of grace meant to build up the body of Christ, and believers should earnestly seek them with a passion to love and bless others.
Abundance of grace for every situationGod is able to make all grace abound toward believers, providing total sufficiency and an abundance for every good deed in every single situation they will ever face.
