Goodmorning and welcome in everyone. Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture, but before we do that, I wanted to share something with you.
Have you ever been driving down the highway and then stopped by a patrolman for a burned out headlight? Instead of giving you a fine, he graciously gave you a warning to repair it. After filling out some paperwork on his clipboard, he gave you a fix-it ticket. This ticket gave you an opportunity to repair the problem in a certain amount of time without any punishment.
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
God’s grace is like a fix it ticket, because we are given the opportunity to amend and correct any issues in our lives before God’s punishment. Just as a vehicle needs to be found road worthy, we want to be found worthy at judgment day. God gives us grace for a specific reason, so that we turn from our iniquities, and go and sin no more. When we become a Christian we need to convert from the ways that we used to live, to live the way that God wants us to live. We need to fix the wrongs that we have done, and do what is right. We have to repair the things that are broken so that they work properly. This is a process that happens through genuine repentance, which is defined as the condition of being penitent and having a feeling of regret and remorse for doing what is wrong and sinning. When these feelings are present in a person’s heart, lasting change can take place and repairs can be made.
Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Sometimes in a courtroom, a judge will extend grace to an offender. Instead of punishing them right away, they will show them mercy and give them probation for a certain amount of time, so that they can correct the error of their way. When you amend your way, it means
to recover, to correct, and to improve yourself. Someone on probation is conforming themselves so that they can eventually rejoin society, living differently than the way that they used to. Becoming a Christian is very similar. We want to be able to enter into eternal life, but in order to do this, God gives us Grace found in His Son Jesus Christ. He gives us a probation period here upon the Earth, giving us the grace that we need, so that we can convert and fully transform into people who are perfected and prepared for the kingdom of heaven. In order to get all the way down the road to heaven, the broken headlight of sin must be repaired in our vessels so that we can see, and walk in the light.
1 Peter 2:9-10 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Think about this for a moment. The reason for me giving you a hammer would be so that you could pound some nails. The reason for me giving you a fishing rod would be so that you could go and catch some fish in the lake. Likewise, the reason God gives us grace is so that we turn away from sin, and change our ways.
Romans 6:1-6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Scripture warns about receiving God’s grace in vain, which means it didn’t produce the effect that it was given for in the first place; conversion, and an obedient heart towards God.
2 Corinthians 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
The Apostle Paul received God’s grace, and it changed his life drastically.
1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Some people really want to believe that they’re going to heaven, but at the same time have no desire to love and obey what Christ taught. God gives us his merciful grace so that we, through belief in His Word, can grow and mature into obedient children.
2 Peter 3:17-18 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Instead of serving sin as we did in the past, we need to correct ourselves and serve the will of God.
Hebrews 12:28-29 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
For our God is a consuming fire.
God will certainly punish sin, not only here upon the Earth, but at the final judgment. We need to fix the problem right now, in order to avoid the punishments that are due for those who continue to neglect and disobey His will.
Jeremiah 26:13 Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.
God gives us grace to become a new person.
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Convert means to transform or change from one use, function, or purpose to another. Without lasting conversion, people won’t be able to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
This is why the disciples preached to repent and turn from sin. It is the path that leads to salvation and eternal life.
Acts 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
We are given verbal warnings in the scriptures about the punishments for living in sin, but like a repair ticket, God grants each of us a gift of His grace. He is watching to see who takes advantage of His incredible gift, and uses the opportunity to seize the moment and repair the things that are wrong in their lives. It all depends on your response to His grace, and if you will use God’s Divine reprieve, to go and take care of any problems. Will you make it right? Will you choose to…..
…..Fix It?
Let’s think about these things for right now, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody. ❤️
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Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 