“…I KNOW THY WORKS, AND THY LABOR, AND THY PATIENCE, AND HOW THOU CANST NOT BEAR THEM WHICH ARE EVIL: AND THOU TRIED THEM WHICH SAY THEY ARE APOSTLES, AND ARE NOT, AND HAS FOUND THEM LAIRS… REMEMBER THEREFORE FROM WHENCE THOU ARE FALLEN …” (REVELATION 2:2, 5 KJV).
*
IF your works, labor, and patience is based on a duty-bound, boring, drudgery of dictatorship-type religious obligations performed by self-effort: “…You have fallen away from God’s GRACE…” (Galatians 2:21 NLT). “… REMEMBER THEREFORE FROM WHENCE THOU ARE FALLEN …” (REVELATION 2:2 KJV).
Salvation is a FREE gift. Some of God’s people have forgotten they were SAVED by GRACE, which means they did not earn it, deserve it; nor were they worthy of it, but it was an act of GRACE fueled by God’s LOVE. “…for BY GRACE have ye been saved THROUGH FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE [FREE]…GIFT OF GOD; not of works, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
Salvation is a GIFT of God and “NOT” obtained from man’s WORKS. God started this WORK of GRACE “IN” you and will empower it THROUGH you by the indwelling Holy Spirit, for the duration of the relationship. “…HE WHICH HATH “BEGUN” A GOOD “WORK” IN [YOU]… “WILL” “PERFORM” IT “UNTIL” the day of Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 1:6 KJV).
GRACE is like a SEAL that God SEES, and it reminds FIRST LOVE (God) that your EVERY sin has been atoned for through Jesus Christ. “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John 2:2 NIV). “...Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of GRACE … and find GRACE to help in time of need…” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV).
Many people are trying to keep themselves righteous, before God, by depending upon their OWN efforts. “…We will continue to live as we want to … following our own evil desires …” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).
They do not realize they have cut themselves OFF from God and FALLEN away from His GRACE. “…If you are trying … [in your OWN effort] … to make yourselves right with God (or gain special favors) by keeping the … [commandments], you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s GRACE…” (Galatians 2:21 NLT).
To go from depending upon the indwelling POWER of the Holy Spirit to depending upon one’s OWN effort is a FALL away God’s GRACE. YOU have willfully chosen to DO Christianity on by OWN efforts.
“I do not treat the GRACE of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law (through self-effort) could make [YOU ]…right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die…” (Galatians 2:21 NLT). “…by the GRACE of God [you are what you are]…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV). “…Jesus Christ IS IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “… [You]… live [a Godly life empowered]… by the faith (by depending upon the faith) of the Son of God. …” (Galatians 2:20 KJV). Therefore, “… [You] can [only] do all [Godly]…things through Christ which strengtheneth [you]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
God’s send his Son as the WAY to express and demonstrate his love for you. “…God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son…” (John 3:16 KJV). “Jesus saith…I am the way…” (John 14:6 KJV).
The WAY marks you with the SEAL of GRACE. The seal of Grace gets you into the the door in which we all MUST choose to enter in order to receive and access ALL the rich blessings of his love. “…BY GRACE have ye been saved…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “…We … [depend upon]… the GRACE of the Lord Jesus Christ [and]… we shall be SAVED…” (Acts 15:11 KJV).
Sin is an unpayable debt. If you live a thousand lifetimes you would NEVER be able to pay the debt off. GRACE is NOT a normal response when it comes to the repayment of debt. However,“…BY GRACE have ye been saved (your debt of sin PAID in FULL)…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
Further, sin makes mankind SO sick they become perpetually disabled from repaying the mounting debt they owe to God anyway. “…I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t….I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
Sin-sickness is terminal and leads to death. Every man and woman has THIS disease. “…All have sinned…” (Romans 3:23 KJV). “…The wages of sin is DEATH…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…ALL unrighteousness IS SIN…” (1 John 5:17 KJV). “…ALL wicked actions ARE SIN…” (1 John 5:17 NLT).
“…As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10 KJV). “… [ALL have become]…..unclean and [their] righteousnesses are as filthy rags….” (Isaiah 64:6 KJV).
Every person, without a cure, will DIE from the terminal illness of SIN. “…the wages of sin is DEATH…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law [of God]: for sin is the transgression of the law….” (1 John 3:4 KJV).
However, God sent a cure. If you choose his cure; you will be healed. “…BY GRACE have ye been saved (cured)…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
“BY GRACE” means you realized the same thing Apostle Paul realized. “….I am carnal … [and it is]… sin (that terminal disease) that dwelleth in me. … I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no GOOD thing: ….” (Romans 7:14-23 KJV). “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by (the terminal disease of) SIN? Thank God! The answer (cure) is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
Nothing from the old sin-sick, terminally ill nature is useful for the new, cured life in Christ. Not your “good” deeds, not your “good” gifts and “good” talents, and not your learned, carnal standard ways of “goodness.” NOTHING. It ALL has to GO! “…the FLESH (disease infected nature) profiteth NOTHING…” (John 6:63 KJV).
You can no longer depend upon self-effort or the sinful nature; it is USELESS in the LABOR and WORK of the Holy God.
“Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, ALL THINGS are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…I WILL GIVE you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. …” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT). “…It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).
I AM A NEW CREATION! “…By the GRACE of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV). “… [Therefore]… we all … are changed into the same image [of Christ] from glory to glory …” (2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV).
God’s GRACE cures the terminally ill and restores them to a WHOLE and HEALTHY condition through Jesus Christ. HOW? “…BY GRACE have ye been saved…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV)
God’s LOVE fueled him to send a CURE, for the terminal illness and it canceled the death penalty of sin. “…We … [depend upon]… the GRACE of the Lord Jesus Christ [and] …we shall be SAVED…” (Acts 15:11 KJV).
What do you OWE God for cancelling the penalty of SIN? Nothing, just DEPEND UPON his provision of salvation by GRACE. God says, “…“My grace is all you need. …” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT).
God’s LOVE fuels his acts of GRACE: “…God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). “...Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (substitute, intervention) for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “…Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God …” (1 Peter 3:18 KJV).
God’s GRACE is the unmerited and undeserving treatment for the terminal disease of SIN, especially for those who can’t afford a cure, who don’t deserve it, who couldn’t ever earn it, and who weren’t worthy of it. “…Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners…” (Romans 5:6-8 NLT). “…“My grace is all you need. …” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT). “… My grace is sufficient for thee: …” (2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV).
Even after being cured through salvation, many of God’s people STILL act as if they’re sin-sick. Yet God says “…I WILL heal their apostasy, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from them.…” (Hosea 14:4 KJV). “…Where sin increased, [My]...grace abounded all the more…” (Romans 5:20 NASB). God’s “…grace is sufficient for you…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB). His “…love covereth a multitude of sins…” (Proverbs 10:12, 1 Peter 4:8 ASV). His “…Mercy triumphs over judgement.” (James 2:13 NASB).
When you live as if you are still sin-sick; God’s GRACE is endlessly faithful and just to forgive you. “…If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness…” (1 John 1:9 KJV).
God’s love-fueled GRACE doesn’t keep a record of your sins or even remember them. “…For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more…" (Hebrews 8:12 NIV). His “…love covereth a multitude of sins…” (Proverbs 10:12, 1 Peter 4:8 ASV).
God’s love-fueled GRACE gives witness to a HOLY goodness unknown to mankind. In comparison to his HOLY goodness mankind falls “WAY” short!!! “For I say, through the grace given unto me, [and]... to every man (woman) that is among you, not to think of himself (herself) MORE HIGHLY than he (she) ought to think; but to think soberly…”(Romans 12:3 NIV). “…there is NONE GOOD but one, that is, God” (Mark 10:18 KJV). “… [Mankind had become]…..unclean and [their so-called] righteousnesses (goodnesses) …as filthy rags….” (Isaiah 64:6 KJV). “…There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10 KJV).
God’s love-fueled GRACE provided treatment for mankind’s terminal illness without merit on their part. They were CURED UNDESERVINGLY. “…Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little…” (Luke 7:40-47 KJV).
When you truly and authentically experience God’s GRACE you will love like the woman did too. “WE LOVE, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19 ASV). "…For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he (she) who is forgiven little, loves little…" (Luke 7:47 NASB).
“…Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV).
God’s disciples are recognized by the way they demonstrate love “…one to another …” (John 13:35 KJV). “…Ye shall know them by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). “…But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE (Grace in action), joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).
God’s LOVE fuels his many acts of divine GRACE. God’s “…love is patient … [God’s]…love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. … [God’s grace-filled]…love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV).
God’s “…GRACE is sufficient for you…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB). You are NOT perfect. You make mistakes. You say things you shouldn’t say. You are finite. As long as you are on earth and in this sinful body; you will need God’s GRACE.
You can’t always gleam grace from your fellow human beings and sometimes that is challenging to overcome emotionally. It truly hurts the heart, when you make an unrepairable mistake, and you are sincerely sorry, but no grace is extended to you. I am sorry for those of you who are experiencing that kind of pain right now.
God’s Grace, however, is redeeming, restoring, and reconciling. “...If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness…” (1 John 1:9 KJV).
God’s GRACE is fueled by love. His “…love covereth a multitude of sins…” (Proverbs 10:12, 1 Peter 4:8 ASV). “…I will forgive …and will remember their sins no more…" (Hebrews 8:12 NIV).
It is often hard to solicit grace, redemption, and forgiveness from other human beings. Humans have a habit of keeping records of your EVERY wrong, and sometimes you simply can’t undo your mistakes no matter how hard you try.
But God’s GRACE is always available and immutably sufficient for you. “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).
God WILL always respond with LOVE, which is demonstrated through the RICHNESS of his endless ACTS of GRACE!! If God’s GRACE says to you: “…I will restore… and I will heal thee of the wounds, saith the Lord…” (Jeremiah 30:17 KJV). His GRACE WILL DO IT!!!
God is a “…restorer of thy life…” (Ruth 4:15 KJV). “….The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT). God’s “…grace is sufficient for you…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB).
ONLY “…BY THE GRACE of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV). BECAUSE OF GOD’S GRACE, “…I am what I am…”
The fall from God’s GRACE is a FALL to a limited sufficiency based on self-effort of the sinful flesh. . “…Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God…” (2 Corinthians 3:5 KJV). “…I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t….I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
“… REMEMBER THEREFORE FROM WHENCE THOU ARE FALLEN …” (REVELATION 2:2 KJV).
To FALL, in this book, refers to departing from a HIGH position of Godly favor and falling down to a LOW position of disfavor. Or to leave, separate, or depart from the lofty height of FIRST LOVE (CHOICE and freedom) and return to a lowly depth of DARK LOVE (DICTATORSHIP and bondage of sin). “… Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief (NOT depending upon the indwelling of the Holy Spirit), in departing from the living God…” (Hebrews 3:12 KJV).
To FALL will also refer to departing from the elevated position of being a child of God, declining to depend upon the empowerment of the indwelling Spirit, and willfully falling away from God’s GRACE.
“…an evil heart of unbelief (NOT depending upon the indwelling Holy Spirit) ... ( or choosing NOT to DEPART) ... from the living God…” (Hebrews 3:12 KJV). “…The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt (disrespect)? How long will they refuse to believe in me(TRUST IN or DEPEND UPON me), in spite of all the signs I have performed among them?...” (Daniel 14:11 NIV).
To FALL will also refer to returning to a state of darkness, needing to repent again, and becoming spiritually depleted from disconnecting with the Source. “… Let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith (our trust and dependence upon or) in God…” (Hebrews 6:1 NLT).
Clearly, people can “FALL” from, or “DEPART” from, or “LEAVE” their FIRST LOVE (God). The church of Ephesus (God’s people) had “LEFT” their FIRST LOVE (God) “…I HAVE SOMEWHAT AGAINST THEE…” (REVELATION 2:2 KJV). “…. THOU HAST “LEFT” THY FIRST LOVE….” (REVELATION 2:4 KJV).
God is complaining to them that they had, by choice, departed from him, their FIRST LOVE, which he explained, meant they had FALLEN. “… REMEMBER THEREFORE FROM WHENCE THOU ARE FALLEN …” (REVELATION 2:2 KJV).
Obviously, God’s people can FALL. In fact, God tells them to REMEMBER, just how far DOWN they have fallen and turn back to HIM. “… REMEMBER THEREFORE …” (REVELATION 2:2 KJV).
The consequence of departing from God starts a process of FALLING from his GRACE. “…You have fallen away from God’s GRACE…” (Galatians 2:21 NLT).
God calls his people to REMEMBER where they have FALLEN from in order to repent and RETURN to the HIGHER position. . “… REMEMBER THEREFORE…repent and do the first works …” (REVELATION 2:2 KJV).
Revelation Chapter 2 verses 1 through 6 is describing the consequences of departing from FIRST LOVE (God). It defines the consequence of departure as a “FALLEN” experience. “…THOU ARE FALLEN …” (REVELATION 2:2 KJV).
The “FALLEN” experience is something God’s people go through when they LEAVE their FIRST LOVE (God).“…. THOU HAST “LEFT” THY FIRST LOVE….” (REVELATION 2:4 KJV). “… REMEMBER THEREFORE FROM WHENCE THOU ARE FALLEN …” (REVELATION 2:2 KJV).
The “FALLEN” experience is a departure from the enlightenment of the truth, from the riches of heaven, from the nourishment of the Word of God, and from the empowerment of the indwelling POWER of the Holy Spirit. “… REMEMBER THEREFORE FROM WHENCE THOU ARE FALLEN …” (REVELATION 2:2 KJV).
“… For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come— and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame. …” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT).
This “FALLEN” experience may lead to the possibility of NOT being able to be renewed again to repentance. “… For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—…” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT).
The church of Ephesus STILL has a chance to REPENT, which makes the COMPLAINT something important to consider. “…Thou hast LEFT thy FIRST LOVE. Remember, therefore, from whence thou art FALLEN, and repent and DO the first works…” (Revelation 2:5 KJV).
The FALLEN experience describes God’s people who have FAILED to CHOOSE to depend upon the indwelling Holy Spirit to empower them to DO the WORK of FAITH. “… I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless…” (Galatians 2:21 NLT). “…Apart from [Jesus], you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “… he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).
They have CHOOSEN to depend upon themselves to live the Christian life, which has inadvertently returned them to a dictator-type lifestyle (ruled by sinful flesh) they had prior to the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…Apart from [Jesus], you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “… he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).
Depending upon your SELF or your sinful FLESH is a FALLEN experience that produces a FORM of Christlike behavior since it rejects the empowerment of the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. “… holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these…” (2 Timothy 3:5 NASB). “… They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!...” (2 Timothy 3:5 NLT). “…It is the SPIRIT who gives “LIFE”; the flesh profits nothing…” (John 6:63 NASB).
The ENTIRE Christlike journey and lifestyle is TOTALLY depended upon the empowering of the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…For it is God who worketh in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
God’s people choose to place their TRUST and DEPENDENCY upon God’s indwelling Holy Spirit to SECURE their salvation, their eternal life, and their day by day walk of faith. “…Apart from Me (the indwelling Holy Spirit), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
“God … worketh in [his people], both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…the Father that dwelleth in… [them], he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “… I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law (through self-effort) could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die…” (Galatians 2:21 NLT).
“…Apart from Me (the EMPOWERMENT of indwelling Holy Spirit), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing. But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it…” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT).
The rain represents God’s GRACE and it falls upon the good crop, which represents God’s people who depend upon him, and puts them in the right position to receive the rain; they produce God’s BLESSINGS!
Some of God’s people genuinely trust and depend upon the indwelling Holy Spirit and RECEIVE God’s blessings. Others don’t trust and depend upon the indwelling Holy Spirit and DON’T RECEIVE God’s blessings.
Whatever is NOT done, for God’s GLORY, by faith (trust and dependence upon HIM) is sin. “… whatsoever is not of faith (trust and dependence upon God) is sin.…” (Romans 14:23 KJV).
SIN always separates YOU from FIRST LOVE (God) and his GRACE. “…It’s YOUR SINS that … cut you off from God…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT). “…Your INIQUITIES … separated … you and your God…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s GRACE…” (Galatians 2:21 NLT).
FIRST LOVE (God) NEVER changes. “…I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). FIRST LOVE (God) NEVER leaves you. “… “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). FIRST LOVE (God) will NEVER force you to choose him. “Jesus saith…I am the way, the truth, and the life…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…Choose LIFE, …” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…It shall be done to you according to your faith (according to WHAT you choose to depend upon)…" (Matthew 9:29 NASB).
The same rain fell upon thorns and thistles (which represent God’s people who live independent of him), but the lack of trust and dependency upon God put them in the WRONG position to RECEIVE the rain ( God’s blessings).
Thus, they cannot produce spiritual fruit or display God’s POWER and become USELESS instead. "....The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in [y]our lives …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).“…God ...does the work IN AND THROUGH all of us who are his (people)… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
“….Apart from [the indwelling Holy Spirit]…, you (God’s people) can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it…” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT).
God GRACE is CLEARLY upon those who trust and depend upon HIS indwelling Holy Spirit, but those who choose self-effort have fallen away from that grace and will NOT produce or display the blessings of God. “…it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it…” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT).
The good crop depends upon the empowerment of the indwelling Holy Spirit to produce fruit and display God’s glory as well as DO the work of Faith. This POSITION also enables them to RECIEVE blessings from God. “…When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing…” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT). “God … worketh in [his people]…” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).
“…the Father that dwelleth in… [them], he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “… I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law (through self-effort) could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die…” (Galatians 2:21 NLT).
The thorns and thistles represent God’s people who depend upon self-effort through the empowerment of the flesh to do the SPIRITUAL work of God, which cuts them off from God’s GRACE. “…[They]… have been cut off from Christ! [They]… have fallen away from God’s GRACE…” (Galatians 2:21 NLT).
God’s GRACE works for HIS people that expect and receive his BLESSINGS. When God’s people are SERVING HIS PURPOSE God HELPS them and EMPOWERS them through his indwelling Holy Spirit. “…He helps me…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT). “…God ...does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his. …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).
They are AWARE of and depend upon the LOVE God expressed to them in his WORD. God has “….loved [them]...with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV).
There is “… [No]….greater love…than this…” (John 15:13 KJV). “…This is the confidence that [God’s people]... have in him, that, if [they]... ask any thing according to his will, he heareth [them]…” (1 John 5:14 KJV). “…He has granted to [his people]… His precious and magnificent promises…” (2 Peter 1:4 NASB). “…As many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes …also … Amen …” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NASB). “…Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made … failed; all came to pass…” (Joshua 21:45 NASB). God is “…watching over [his[… word to perform it…” (Jeremiah 1:12 NASB). “…So shall [his]… word be that goeth forth out of [his]… mouth: it shall not return unto [him]… void, but it shall accomplish that which [God]… please[s], and it shall prosper in the thing whereto [God]… sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV). “…The Father (the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT) that dwelleth in [YOU] he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “…My grace is sufficient for you…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV).
God’s Grace does not work for HIS people that expect they will be BLESSED through they OWN self-efforts. No “man(woman) should glory” or boast that they did ANYTHING to obtain salvation, produce spiritual fruit, or display his Glory. “…BY GRACE have ye been saved through… FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the gift of God; NOT OF WORKS, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
Self-effort will NOT produce the BLESSINGS or God’s GLORY expressed in God’s WORD. Everything in God’s KINGDOM is received ONLY by faith and dependence upon the indwelling Holy Spirit that DOES the WORK of empowering, producing spiritual fruit, and displaying God’s GLORY “IN” and “THROUGH” HIS people. “…The …HOLY SPIRIT …is the SOURCE of [all blessings]. …it is …God who does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his. The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
By GRACE through faith and dependence upon his Holy Spirit can a person be SAVED, have ETERNAL LIFE, produce spiritual fruit, display God’s GLORY and be inspired to have expectant HOPE in FIRST LOVE’S (God’s) BLESSINGS and PROMISES. “…BY GRACE have ye been saved through… FAITH (dependence upon)…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
RECIEVING from God produces God’s BLESSINGS and NOT RECIEVING from his GRACE results in uselessness. “…My grace is sufficient for you…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV). “….Apart from [the indwelling Holy Spirit; an act of GRACE]…, you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
The church of Ephesus proves there are two types of lifestyles God’s people can choose to live. They both involve DOING God’s work, they demonstrate patience endurance, they involve a hate for evil, and are intolerance of hypocrites, but one depends upon the enablement of FIRST LOVE (God) and the other does NOT. “….Apart from [the indwelling Holy Spirit; an act of GRACE]…, you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
However, God LOVES his people and expresses that LOVE by ENCOURAGING them to REPENT by going BACK to the position of GRACE from which they have obviously FALLEN. God is merciful. “…The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth…” (Exodus 34:6 KJV). “…Don't you see how wonderfully kind …God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” (Romans 2:4 NLT). “…He is being patient for YOUR SAKE. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent…” (2 Peter 3: 9 NLT).
He lovingly encourages them to COME BACK to the position of dependence upon HIS indwelling Holy Spirit so they can AGAIN become EMPOWERED to DO the first WORKS. FIRST LOVE (God) cares for his people. “...He careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “…What is important [to God is his indwelling Holy Spirit of] Faith expressing [his LOVE by empowering his people to get into the right position to RECEIVE his BLESSINGS]…” (Galatians 5:6 NLT).
God is not pleased when his people choose a life of duty-bound, boring, dictatorship, slavery type of service to HIM. He DIED that they might have life more abundantly. “…That they might have life … more abundantly…” (John 10:10 KJV).
He wants his people to CHOOSE to repent and do the first works, which were from genuine devotion. “…Jeremiah, say to the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: “‘When people fall down, don’t they get up again? When they discover they’re on the wrong road, don’t they turn back? Then why do these people stay on their self-destructive path? Why do the people of Jerusalem refuse to turn back They cling tightly to their lies and will not turn around. I listen to their conversations and don’t hear a word of truth. Is anyone sorry for doing wrong? Does anyone say, “What a terrible thing I have done”? No! All are running down the path of sin as swiftly as a horse galloping into battle! Even the stork that flies across the sky knows the time of her migration, as do the turtledove, the swallow, and the crane. They all return at the proper time each year. But not my people! They do not know the Lord’s laws. “‘How can you say, “We are wise because we have the word of the Lord,” when your teachers have twisted it by writing lies? These wise teachers will fall into the trap of their own foolishness, for they have rejected the word of the Lord. Are they so wise after all? ...” (Jeremiah 8:20 NLT).
“…But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
“But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).
Eventually TIME passes and people WILL start to realize they have lost chance after chance to REPENT. “...The Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man…” (Genesis 6:3 KJV). “…They DID NOT like to retain God in their knowledge, GOD GAVE THEM OVER to a reprobate mind…” (Romans 1:28 KJV). “… I will remove they candlestick out of his place…” (Revelation 2:5 KJV).
However, if you are still breathing, you have a chance. God “… is able TO DO exceeding abundantly ABOVE all that we ask or think…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV). “…The things which are impossible with men are POSSIBLE with God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV). “…I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV). God is“... RICH IN MERCY…” (Ephesians 2:1-5 KJV). “…Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY…” (Micah 7:18 KJV).
God prefers for his people to CHOOSE a life of devotion where his FIRST immutable LOVE (God) for them forever EMPOWERS the bond between them. “…love, which is the perfect BOND of unity...” (Colossians 3:14 NASB). “…He that is joined unto the Lord is ONE SPIRIT…” (1 Corinthian 6:17 KJV).
He is FOREVER “BONDED” to you by his PLEDGE of SPIRITUAL LOVE, but YOU willfully and voluntarily CHOOSE to stay bonded with him. “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
Falling away from FIRST LOVE (God) and from GRACE describes a believer who has chosen to reject the dependence upon the Holy Spirit. “…My people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
Choosing to reject the dependence upon the indwelling Holy Spirit is choosing NOT to accept the REQUIRED provision for the WORK of GRACE done “IN” and “THROUGH” believers; which “IS” the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…by the grace of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV). “…I WILL GIVE you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. …” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT). “…It is God which worketh in you…” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “… [Therefore]… we all … are changed into the same image [of Christ] from glory to glory …” (2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV). “…by the GRACE of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV).
God is admonishing the believer to remember the ROLE GRACE plays in the SERVICE for God. “…by the GRACE of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV). . “…Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
When FIRST LOVE communicated to sinful man through his WORD; he drew him or her to himself by GRACE, through FAITH (dependence upon him). “…BY GRACE have ye been saved through… FAITH (dependence upon)…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
All biblical evidence support the reality that GRACE sustains the believer throughout their entire lifetime of service to God and within the relationship with Him. God says. “…My grace is sufficient for you…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV). “…NOT that we are sufficient OF OURSELVES to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God…” (2 Corinthians 3:5 KJV). “…I will supply all your NEED…” (John 12:32 KJV).
God’s LOVE fuels his acts of immutable GRACE forever. “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). His acts of GRACE are meant to reveal to his people all the things he has favorably and freely given to them in Christ Jesus. “… [God, through Christ]… freely give us all things?...” (Romans 8:32 KJV). “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).
God’s LOVE fuels his acts of GRACE. God’s acts of GRACE empowers his people to RECEIVE all things necessary for life and godliness through his indwelling Holy Spirit. “…His DIVINE POWER hath given unto us ALL THINGS that pertain unto life and godliness…” (2 Peter 1:3 KJV). “…Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's [in Christ]…” (1 Corinthians 3 KJV).
A believer’s life empowered by self-effort through the sinful flesh will, in many ways, closely mirror those who are cursed. “…that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned…” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NASB).
A believer’s life empowered by self-effort through the sinful flesh teaches that God’s people can FORGET about the GRACE of FIRST LOVE (God). “… [YOU]… FORGOT all about ME,” says the Lord…” (Hosea 2:13 NLT). “…For years on end my people have FORGOTten ME…” (Jeremiah 2:32 NLT). “…They ABANDONED the Lord… they turned their backs on him….” (2 Chronicles 29:6 NLT).
They are actually forfeiting eternal rewards by NOT depending upon the indwelling Holy Spirit to do the WORK of God “IN” and “THROUGH” them. “… Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:10-16 NLT).
A believer’s life of self-effort highlights a life that CHOOSES to serve God from a place of duty-bound, religious obligation which results in USELESS and FRUITLESS WORKS which will BURN up at judgement.
Any believer who does NOT depend upon the indwelling Holy Spirit is on the PATH of those who have LEFT FIRST LOVE (God), have FORGOTTEN FIRST LOVE (God), and have DEPARTED from his GRACE.
They are in the PROCESS of FALLING AWAY by NOT depending upon his indwelling Holy Spirit over their OWN self-effort. “… REMEMBER THEREFORE FROM WHENCE THOU ARE FALLEN …” (REVELATION 2:2 KJV). “….Apart from [the indwelling Holy Spirit; a provision of GRACE]…you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
“…I KNOW THY WORKS, AND THY LABOR, AND THY PATIENCE, AND HOW THOU CANST NOT BEAR THEM WHICH ARE EVIL: AND THOU TRIED THEM WHICH SAY THEY ARE APOSTLES, AND ARE NOT, AND HAS FOUND THEM LAIRS… …” (REVELATION 2:2 KJV).
Yet, “…You have fallen away from God’s GRACE…” (Galatians 2:21 NLT). “… REMEMBER THEREFORE FROM WHENCE THOU ARE FALLEN …” (REVELATION 2:2 KJV). “...REPENT AND DO THE FIRST WORKS…” (REVELATION 2:2, 5 KJV).
No comments:
Post a Comment