Marbaniang, Domenic

There is an increasing trend towards becoming trendy at church, which is not always bad. We must make a distinction between faith and culture; culture is dynamic and flexible; faith has to be absolute. The problem rises when faith attempts to claim elements of culture in order to sacralize them and render them inflexible. When faith tries to do that, then the result is a legalistic religious system that is very fundamentalistic. These issues were earlier discussed here. However, grace is not lawless either. The New Testaments cautions us against those who attempt to turn the grace of God into license for evil (Jude 1:4, NET). Take the Example of Clothing Let's begin at the pulpit and one immediately notes at least 5 variants: 1. Those who stick to orthodox robes and cassocks or sacralized color definitions (e.g. white) 2. Those who stress on wearing business suits or traditional suits 3. Those who like to wear designer and more trendy clothes 4. Those who like to wear casuals. 5. ...

"But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more." (Rom 5:20) ----------------------------------------------------- SUBTLETY OF SIN - Creeps undetected - Convinces of being received - Controls our thoughts, feelings, attitude - Cuts off our relationship with God GENEROSITY OF GRACE - Abounds much more than our sin - Accepts us as we are - Administers unto us abundant gifts of forgiveness, healing, eternal life, ministry, enablements, strength, the Holy Spirit - Available always at the Throne of His Grace. He calls us to Draw near, Humble self, Submit, Receive.

Sinful humanity, fallen short of the glory of God , finds remedy in justification freely by the grace of God in Christ (Rom.3:23). However, if one falls short of the grace of God , there remains no more room for repentance (Heb.12:15-17). We know that His grace is sufficient. This is all we need. So, we remain close to His Throne of Grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Heb.4:16). We are sensitive to the Spirit of Grace who lives in us and yearns within (Heb.10:29, Jas.4:5). We stand in grace by faith (Rom.5:2). And, His grace is sufficient for us (2Cor.12:9).

Ocean of Kindness, How great is Your Infinite Love; I entered in dark, soiled, and dirty; I came out spotless and white. I entered in broken, wormy, and leprous; I came out unblemished as a child. I entered in troubled, confused, and ignorant; I came out with unspeakable peace of mind. O Ocean of Kindness, Ocean of Kindness, How great is Your Infinite Love! Your Kindness never gets deplete, Your Kindness never gets soiled, Your Kindness is constant forever; Ocean of Kindness, How great is Your Love! O Ocean of Kindness, Ocean of Kindness, How great is Your Infinite Love!

- Mercy involves forgiveness. - Only the one who has power to execute justice can show mercy. - When mercy is shown to one, the price is paid by someone else. To forgive a debt means that what has been taken or spent was taken from someone and not given back to him/her; so, the latter has paid the price. - The price paid will be the withdrawal of justice from the one who pays the price either voluntarily or involuntarily. - When one is forced, involuntarily, to pay the price, then s/he suffers injustice. - Forced payment creates injustice which in turn demands for justice. - Only justice, if not mercy, can be the terminal point. - When one pays the price voluntarily, then s/he shows mercy, and the voluntary payment is called sacrifice. - Someone, always, has to pay the price. - Infinite mercy requires infinite sacrifice. - Infinite sacrifice demands an infinite source. - The infinite pool of mercy is Love. God is Love. God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He ...

One important thing that we must remember about God's grace is that the Grace of God in Jesus Christ has not nullified the Law of God. Grace is not against God's Law. In fact, Jesus said that He came not to destroy the Law but to fulfill it (Matt.5:17). The commandments of Grace are tougher and more demanding than the commandments of the Law. The Bible tells us that the Law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came with Jesus Christ (John 1:17). Jesus ushered in the era of Grace. Not that grace was absent in the Old Testament; but that grace could only be available even in the Old Testament because of the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the earth. And, when Christ came Grace came in reality, for until then everything was only shadows (Col.2:17). Therefore, it says, "Grace and truth came with Jesus Christ". The commandments of Grace, therefore, supersede the commandments of the Law. Grace teaches us true righteousness (Tit.2:11,12; Matt.5:20). Thus,...

The Bible speaks about people who found God's favor in their lives. We know of Noah who found favor in the eyes of God (Gen.6:8); the result, he didn't die in the Great Flood. We also know of Moses who found favor with God (Exo.33:12); for sure, without God's favor he could never lead those teeming multitudes on the way to the Promised Land. Nehemiah was granted divine favor and he led the team that restored the walls of Jerusalem (Neh.1:11). When we turn to the New Testament, the English Bibles turn to the word "Grace". Grace is favor that is bestowed without any merit of ours. In fact, none of us can ever merit or work to find grace. We cannot merit it in anyway; by definition, grace is unmerited favor. So, how can we find grace? 1. The Spring of Grace is Jesus Christ. John tells us that we receive grace upon grace from Christ's fullness (Jn. 1:16). He is the full Spring of Grace from which alone we can draw the life-giving, life-strengthening waters of div...

"The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us." (Tit 2:11-12 NKJ) 1. Grace of God appeared in the Incarnate Word And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (Joh 1:14, 16-17 NKJ) 2. Grace of God appears through the Inscribed Word Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace (Act 14:3 NKJ) 3. Grace of God works through People of the Word But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (1Co 15:10 NKJ) Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may im...

Rev.3:7-13 Philadelphia was a Faithful Church Rev.3:8: She had LITTLE STRENGTH but Kept the Word It doesn't matter if the strength is small; His Grace is Sufficient His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses Mustard seed faith can remove mountains Persistent blows can crack great rocks Gideon considered himself the least (Jdg.6:11), but with 300 men, by the help of God, he won a great battle (Jdg.7:7) Rev.3:12 - Will be kept from trial - Will be a Pillar in God's Temple - Will receive Name of the City