The grace of God (1)

By Pastor (Dr.) Elisha Olusheye

Dear Reader,

It has pleased the Holy Spirit of God to direct us to consider once again the love of God for man; but this time we shall look at it a little more closely from a scriptural point of view popularly titled, “The Grace of God.” What actually do Christians mean by this expression? What does it bring to humanity (O.T. vs N.T.)? How do we appropriate God’s grace in the present dispensation? And what are its limits (God’s grace versus God’s righteousness)? Let us quickly search the scriptures.

Meaning and Purport: According to the holy Scriptures or Christian theology, “grace” refers to an unmerited favour. Thus, the grace of God has to do with the types of favour, mercy, blessings from God which, strictly speaking, a person or group may not be entitled to – based on their own efforts alone, if not that God lovingly and mercifully wills it.

Adam’s sin and consequences: According to the holy Scriptures (Gen.1-3), in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth and all that are therein, including the angels in heaven and human beings on the earth. “And God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.” (Gen.1:31). God created both Adam and Eve (our first parents) to increase and multiply, take dominion of the whole earth, and be happy for ever; but that they should never eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil which stood prominently in the Garden of Eden where they resided. But quite unfortunately, Satan deceived them to disobey God’s command (never to eat the particular fruit).

The Grace of God as He deals with sinners: In dealing with Adam and Eve (and, by extension, humanity), let us look at four main areas of God’s demonstration of His grace.

(a). God sought out Adam: Genesis.3:9 says, “Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, ‘Where are you?” Sometimes foolish and wicked college professors tell their students that the Bible is simply a record of man’s search after God; but it is instead the opposite. The Bible is a record of God’s search after man! Here God takes the first step in reconciling man back to Himself. Hear again God’s passionate call to sinners through prophet Isaiah: “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isa.1:18). Also read Isaiah 55:1-3; John 7:37,38; Revelation 22:17; Luke 19:10.

(b). God promised them a Saviour: Genesis 3:15 says, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; and He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” At first glance this verse would merely seem to predict the natural hatred of man for snakes. But for centuries devout Bible students have seen a far more precious and profound truth underlying these words. For in this verse they claim to see no less than a thrilling prediction of the Cross and the resurrection, of the Saviour’s great victory over Satan.

(c). God clothed them: Genesis 3:21 says, “God made coats of skins and clothed them”. Although we are not specifically told so, it would seem probable that some innocent animal had to die so that Adam and his wife might be clothed. Thus, here we have the first example of that great Biblical doctrine, the innocent dying for the guilty.

In Isaiah 53:5, 6, the Bible says, “But He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, everyone, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

(d). God removed them from the Garden of Eden: Genesis 3:24 says, “So He drove out the man…..” Man’s expulsion from Eden by God was really an act of mercy rather than judgement. As we are told in Genesis 3:22. God did this to prevent mankind from partaking of the tree of life and living forever in immorality. Adolf Hitler killed himself a few days after reaching his fifty-sixth birthday. Yet during his brief life span, he was directly responsible for the slaughter of literally millions of human beings by shooting, bombing, hanging, burning, gassing, and other forms of torture and death too horrible to mention. But what if this Nazi monster had lived to be 500 or even 5,000 years? Or worse still, what if he could have lived forever? This is why God drove Adam from Eden.

God placed cherubims and a flaming sword to guard the Garden of Eden (verse 24). The cherubims are apparently a special kind of angelic being who concern themselves with matters relating to the holiness of God (see Exodus 25:18-22; Ezekiel 10:1-20; Revelation 4:6-8). This is the first of the two kinds of angels mentioned in the Bible. The other kind are known as the seraphims (see Isaiah 6:1-4). At this point, the tree of life disappears from the pages of the Bible. It reappears once again during the millennial and eternal ages.

Therefore, in order to be able to appropriate fully the multifarious and abundant graces of God, you are hereby implored to begin to appreciate and thank God very sincerely for all that He is and has been doing for you and yours. In addition, you should repent from all your sins today and then believe and accept Jesus Christ God’s Son – as your Lord and Saviour henceforth. By so doing, your soul’s eternal salvation is assured, together with other blessings of God. I fervently pray that God’s grace will be poured on all of us abundantly in Jesus’ name – Amen.

(To be continued)

For further information, counselling, prayer and other help, please contact me at once, on telephone numbers: 08055069284, 02-8100301, 8100248 or 08037878711; write to E-mail: ehlolusheye@yahoo.co.uk or write to G.P.O. Box 530, Ibadan.

Be of good cheer (3)

By Pastor S.S.Jemigbon

If only you can put your trust in God, then you will surely rejoice.

He is set to handle everything concerning you — your business, trade, family, marriage etc.
Are you thinking of how this year will look like? I can hear Him say ‘Fear not, I will pilot you’ These are His words of assurance.

Your journey through the year is akin to a regular user of the ocean which is characterised by turbulent waves, boisterous wind and the stormy tide.

You cannot sail without a hitch, trials or trouble, but Christ says, “I will pilot you unto safe landing.”

We have set our feet on a journey that is going to cover 366 days. And definitely we will meet with difficult things on the way, because the word of God says, sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.

In that time of the disciples on the Sea of Galilee, Christ was on the mount praying, they had problems and difficulties on their way, yet they were sustained.

Let us have this strong faith, for the journey we have set our feet on. Christ is not on the mount again, but now He is at the right hand of God in heaven. What is He doing?

He is doing two things there: He has gone to prepare mansions for His own people. And that is not the only thing, He is there interceding for us and that is the joy of our confidence.

To cheer us up, Christ is in heaven, at the right hand of God, interceding for us. We have this confidence that He is interceding for us, why should we worry?

We should cheer up; Christ is with us, “Lo! I AM with you.” He is with you, He is with me, cheer up, whatever your problems are, whatever difficulties you are meeting on the way, “it is I, be not afraid”. Continue to quote it.

John Mason may have grown under a sailor father, if not, he would not have known so much about the ocean when he said; “God promises a safe-landing and not a calm voyage”.

No matter how stormy the sea of life may be, or the wind, your ship, though tossed to this side or the other, will land safely.

Take consolation in the words of Prophet Isaiah 41: 10: “Fear not, there is nothing to fear for I am with you”(Amplified).

As you traverse the year, God will be there in the storm. He was at the centre of the storm with the disciples and calmness returned to their journey. As you sail along with Christ, fear not, for, with Christ, nothing can harm you or any evil befall you. God is our help in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1). Rely and depend on Him, and you will not totter.

(Concluded)

Pastor S.S. Jemigbon,
Tel: 01-7741673,
01-4966033,
01-4965264.
E-Mail: taclawna@hyperia.com