THE GIFT YOU WILL "NEVER" DESERVE, EARN, OR BECOME WORTHY OF!

THE GIFT OF GOD'S GRACE

“…[God’s] grace is sufficient for you…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV). “…Since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s GRACE would not be what it really is—free and undeserved…” (Romans 11:5 NLT).  “…A few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s GRACE—his UNDESERVED kindness in choosing them…” (Romans 11:4 NLT).

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“… [God’s] grace is sufficient for you…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV). “…“My grace is all you need. …” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT). “…Since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s GRACE would not be what it really is—free and undeserved…” (Romans 11:5 NLT). 

“…For God saved us and called us to live a holy life (A LIFE FREE FROM SIN). He did this, not because we DESERVED it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his GRACE through Christ Jesus…” (2 Timothy 1:9 NLT). “…A few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s GRACE—his UNDESERVED kindness in choosing them…” (Romans 11:4 NLT). 

GRACE in connection with God, the Holy Spirit and his LOVE for mankind takes on a POWERFUL meaning and purpose. 

God’s GRACE confirms God’s LOVE FOR SINFUL HUMANITY. 

God’s GRACE confirms his kindness toward mankind. God’s GRACE confirms his desire to demonstrate HIS undeserved FAVOR. 

God’s GRACE confirms that he doesn’t want anybody to PERISH in their SIN. 

God’s GRACE confirms God delights in showing MERCY. 

God’s GRACE confirms his desire to withhold the punishment of eternal damnation. 

God’s GRACE confirms his preference to forgive humanity of their “ALL” their SIN. 

God’s GRACE confirms HIS preference to RECONCILE with mankind whether than remain separated from them. 

God’s GRACE confirms that the GIFT of SALVATION is his FREE, unearned, unworthy, and underserving expression of LOVE. 

God’s GRACE reveals and confirms WHO God truly is and WHO he wants to personally BE to each of us who belong to him. In order to UNDERSTAND 

God’s GRACE, it is important to SEE why you NEED his GRACE in the first place. Many of us KNOW what happened in the garden of EDEN and how sin entered into the WORLD. The FALL is called the Original Sin. The Original Sin was, in essence, the “SEPARATION” OF MAN’S SOUL from God, THE HOLY SPIRIT, which is absolute Spiritual DEATH. 

“…Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it BRINGETH FORTH SIN: and sin, when it is finished, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH…” (James 1:13-15 NLT). “…The woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise…” (Genesis 3:6 NLT). 

“…Through one man SIN (THE SIN NATURE) entered into the world, and DEATH (SPIRITUAL DEATH) THROUGH SIN, and so death passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). “…At that moment their eyes were opened (TO AN EXISTENCE WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT)…” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT). 

“…they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”  “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it...” (Genesis 3:7-13 NLT). 

THE FIRST RECORDED EXCUSE FOR FREELY CHOOSING TO VIOLATE GOD’S HOLY INSTRUCTION. “…When lust hath conceived, it BRINGETH FORTH SIN (SIN REVEALS THE BEHAVIOR OF THE SIN NATURE): and SIN when it is finished (WHEN IT IS FINISHED VIOLATING GOD’S LAW), BRINGETH FORTH DEATH (SPIRITUAL DEATH)…” (James 1:13-15 NLT). 

Adam and Eve experienced the immediate death of their SPIRITUAL LIFE. They became conscious of SIN or the SIN NATURE after breaking God’s Holy commandment. They were no longer joined to the Holy Spirit. They became aware of physical nakedness as a result of losing their spiritual covering. “…canst thou… Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and [holy]…BEAUTY …” (Job 40:9-10 KJV). 

They were “…DEAD in [their] trespasses and sin” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV). AND “….Apart from … [God’s Holy Spirit], [they could]… do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). The relationship between God, the HOLY SPIRIT and man’s SOUL was ONCE “VERY GOOD!” “….God saw every thing he had made……and, [said] … it was VERY GOOD…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV). “….God formed man of the dust of the ground (BODY), and breathed into his nostrils the BREATH OF LIFE (HOLY SPIRIT); and man became a living soul (SOUL)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV). 

Mankind once had a LIVING soul through the Breath of Life, but became separated from God, the Holy Spirit. Now the soul is BORN spiritually DEAD WITH “ONLY” A SIN NATURE. 

The price for ADAM’s CHOICE, for violating God’s Holy law, was SEPARATION from God, the Holy Spirt. Adam and Eve became separated from God, the Holy Spirit, their children born separated from the Holy Spirit, and the rest of the world were born without the Holy Spirit. “…[All of mankind was born] ... separated from the LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV). 

“…It is the SPIRIT who gives LIFE; the flesh profits nothing…” (John 6:63 NASB). “… [their] … iniquities (sin) …separated [them]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). 

It is traditional to view the serpent as a representative of evil. The job of any representative of evil is to deceive mankind and destroy the relationship they have with God, the HOLY SPIRIT, by appealing to the senses through the SINFUL NATURE. The representatives of evil appeal to the senses through the SINFUL NATURE in order to GAIN control or mastery over the SOUL’s choices.

 “… I have set before you LIFE and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose LIFE, that both thou and thy seed may LIVE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who CHOOSE that way. …” (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT). CHOOSING to follow the DICTATES of the FLESH, which is now the SINFUL NATURE, is HOW man’s SOUL became a SLAVE to SIN. “…Know … that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16 KJV). “… Everyone who sins is a slave to sin…” (John 8:34 NLT). 

A SLAVE has “NO” true freedom of their OWN. They are UNDER BONDAGE to their MASTER and must submit to the POWER of that master’s dictatorship. In the case of ADAM and EVE, the HOLY SPIRIT had DEPARTED from them and their once LIVING soul was now a LIFELESS soul, because the BODY, without the HOLY SPIRIT is DEAD.  “…the body without (apart from) the spirit is dead…” (James 2:26 KJV) “… [The SOUL is] DEAD in trespasses and sin…” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV).  

Man’s SOUL, through the SINFUL NATURE, is a SLAVE to SIN. “The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right (choose life), but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.  And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right (choose life), but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin that is … within me. Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

 Mankind’s perpetual inability to CHOOSE HOLY LIFE is because their SOUL is totally UNDER the POWER of the EVIL ONE through the sinful nature WHY? “…It is the SPIRIT who gives LIFE (not the FLESH)…” (John 6:63 NASB). 

The SEPARATION from God created an impenetrable chasm or barrier between God, the Holy Spirit and SINFUL mankind. “… [their] … iniquities (sin) …SEPARATED [them]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…All have sinned (due to the inherited sinful nature) and fallen SHORT of the GLORY of God (PRESENCE OF THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT)…” (Romans 3:23). 

God’s GLORY is the presence of his HOLY SPIRIT. “…All [humanity]… have …fallen short of the GLORY of God…” (Romans 3:23). 

Let’s DARE to ponder the BIG question: Did God create evil? I will present a perspective and you answer the question yourself. My answer was YES. “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things” (Isaiah 45:7 KJV). 

From this particular perspective (there are many other perspectives), evil is not necessarily a person or thing or something tangible; it is the absence of God. Just like darkness is the absence of light and cold is the absence of heat. Evil is the absence of God. 

At one time, the presence of God, the HOLY SPIRIT was UNITED to the SOUL’s of Adam and Eve until they choose to follow the FLESH, which is NOW the SINFUL NATURE.  God takes full responsibility for creating evil SINCE he created MANKIND and human WILL. “…THE DAY THAT THOU (shall choose to) EATEST thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV). 

Adam and Eve’s human will freely CHOSE: “….So she (freely chose to take) some of the fruit and ATE IT. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and HE (freely) ATE IT, too …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).  “… I have set before you LIFE and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). 

“…Through one man SIN entered into the world, and DEATH THROUGH SIN, and so death passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). NOW “…All [humanity]… have …fallen short of the GLORY of God…” (Romans 3:23).

“…All have sinned (ALL ARE BORN WITH A SIN NATURE) and fallen short of the glory of God (ALL FALL SHORT OF THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT)…” (Romans 3:23). “….I was born a sinner (I was born without the indwelling holy spirit)—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT).

“... When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought [spiritual] ... death, so [spiritual] ... death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned (is born without the indwelling Holy Spirit) ... But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift...[of GRACE]. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought [spiritual] death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful GRACE and his GIFT of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. And the result of God’s GRACIOUS GIFT is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s FREE GIFT leads to our being made right with God (being restored, reunited with the Holy Spirit again), even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s WONDERFUL GRACE and HIS GIFT of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ...” (Romans 5:10-16 NLT).

“…, my righteous servant (Jesus) ... [made]... it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins…” (Isaiah 53:11 NLT). “… [He sent the ] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).

“…Jesus Christ  (GOD'S GRACIOUS GIFT) maketh thee whole (SAVES, RESTORES , AND MAKES YOU WHOLE YOU AGAIN)…” (Acts 9:34 KJV).

YOU CAN'T EARN THIS GRACIOUS GIFT OF SALVATION. YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO DESERVE IT, AND BECAUSE OF THE SIN NATURE YOU CAN "NEVER" BECOME WORTHY OF IT... YET AND STILL, IT IS GOD'S FREE OF GRACE TO YOU!!.