Reply To: Grace Discussion Board 1

[Wechie]

Reply to Ben
Truly having a Word ruled mindset is one antidote to legalism . In other for us not to fall into this trap of work based Christianity we need to have a revelation of the Grace of God.
The Gospel of Christ is the Gospel of Grace.The essence of the Gospel is Grace.
The Gospel is the Good news concerning God’s Grace.
The power in the Gospel as in Romans 1:16 is the Grace of God.
It is the Grace of God that makes the Gospel Goodness.
We must fully recognise this truth about the Gospel.

Also a wrong perspective or a misunderstanding of the “Works” spoken about in Scripture with regards to believers,will bring about a legalistic approach to the Christian faith.
In other not to fall into the trap of Legalism we need to have the right perspective/understanding.
God is not against work , there are works that have a place after salvation ;
– We have been saved unto Good works . Ephesians 2:10
– God desires that we are also established in every good work. 2Thessolonians 2:17
– Our work is our service and labour in the body of Christ which we will be rewarded for .1 Corinthians 3:10-15
– The Work of the ministry which is the calling of every believer is work. Ephesians 4:11-12 ;
In summary, we are saved to serve.
However these service/work ;
– Must be done in faith; which is our response to God’s Grace
– Must be carried out by depending on God’s Grace , in the spirit and not in the flesh
1 Corinthians 15:10
– Must not bring about an entitlement mentality. We must never become proud and expect God’s blessings in our lives based on our service alone.
Our inheritance was purchased by Christ not by our labour.

Finally Our salvation is by Grace through and through, our works has nothing to do with our being saved; however we struggle with this after being saved, we tend to think that in other to attract God’s favor we need to work for it.
Man generally believe he needs to do something in other to get something ,hence he approaches God in same transactional manner.
We attempt to interact with God the way we interact with men. This is one way we slip into legalism .
In other not to fall into the trap of Legalism We must settle in our heart that God is not Man. His ways are not the ways of Man.