ACCEPTABLE TO GOD - PART 7

TUESDAY 15 OCTOBER 2024

I have seen the power of God turn the worst of sinners to saints through the glorious gospel of Christ. I have seen wicked and unreasonable men being won to Christ, such that their lives became radically transformed.

I have seen the grace of God at work in condemned people's lives because they experienced the transforming power of God. Zero wonder apostle Paul said, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile" (Romans 1:16 NIV).

Many a time, Christians want to teach about nice and godly people in the church only, but the truth is that Jesus came to save the very worst of sinners, transform their lives and position them to indulge in useful service to God in the Kingdom of light, regardless of what they have been known for.

To that effect, Pauline epistolary expression numbered as 1st Timothy 1:15 (NIV) reads, "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst." So, then, think of the wonder working power of God, as He receives glory in His life-changing dealings with even the worst of sinners who embrace the light of the glorious gospel, and are right there in your church services.

Reference: Acts 10:34-35 New Living Translation (NLT)

'So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to Him."

God has entrusted His ministry of reconciliation to His faithful children, and so, He has committed into their hands, the sacred saving deposit of His own glory, denoting His power unto salvation. However, the grace of God is not too limited to save anyone completely. In the height and magnitude of His greatness, God perfects those horrible sinners He has recreated and translated into His Kingdom as saints, even as they join the assembly of the saints. Once they receive God's grace, and abide in Christ, they will surely manifest God's glory, as they renew their minds repeatedly and grow in faith through the ministry of God's Word.

Hear me clearly: Jesus said, "I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent" (Luke 5:32 NLT). Although Cornelius was a devout man; one that feared God with all his house, and gave much alms to the people, praying to God always, his standard of character is not the criterion for people that should be won to Christ.

Just as Jesus saved on the cross, a man with a criminal offence, who was punished justly [a punishment he deservedly received for his evil deeds], and also offered him an instant privilege of being in paradise with Him, those converted "worst of sinners" should be encouraged to participate in the house of God, in order to receive constant light that will empower them to shade off their negative behaviour and pervasive customs of this world continually, until they are totally transformed by the renewal of their mind.

There is such a thing as progressive fading and denial of unspiritual or sublunary values, plus worldly formality, as those saints who once lived terrible lifestyle abide in the Word, by the renewing of their minds and by focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes, bearing in mind that the church is not only for perfect people, but for perfecting the saints saved by the grace of God. So don't be surprised to hear that in Pauline epistolary expression - in relation to new life in Christ, he was literally addressing the saints, not the natural or unbelieving mankind. It reads:

"But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about Him and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:20-24 ESV).

In verse 20, you'll notice that there is a new way to learn, which is the way of the Anointed One, namely Christ. This implies that it is possible to remain in Christ Jesus, and keep learning Christ. So there is room for continual transformation, not necessarily automatic or overnight perfection. Therefore, in your service to God, everything connected with that old way of life must keep fading away, as you deliberately get rid of them! Why? This is because you've taken on an entirely new way of life; a God-inspired life; a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as the Spirit of God accurately reproduces the Christ-like character in you, through the Word of His grace. Stay tuned for part 8. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Jeremiah 21:8; John 3:16; Romans 12:1-21; John 14:6.

Exuberant Declaration:

I grow daily in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen!