Anytime a builder decides to construct a house, he sits down and designs it according to his will. He then uses that design to dig a foundation on which the house will stand and then begins the building. The house does not request the constructor to build it, nor does it give suggestions on how it should be built. It is solely the builder\u2019s will and purpose and so, he works on it without the house conditioning him in any way.<\/p>\n
Here, we want to talk about a building called MAN whose \u00a0designer and builder is GOD. When God decided to create man, no one of us was there. No one requested to be created, nor suggested to God on how to be designed.<\/p>\n
It was purely God\u2019s own working ,and according to the purpose of His will, for He said, \u201clet us make man in our image and our likeness- Genesis. 1:26.\u201d<\/p>\n
God\u2019s image and likeness ,His will and purpose, is what He explains in His law, which is the scriptures of the Bible. This means, if we want to know ourselves, our lives and how to live it ,we will read it from the scriptures ,for God tells us, \u201cAll scripture is inspired by God, and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and training in righteousness(right living),that the man of God may be complete and equipped for every good works-2nd<\/sup> Timothy 3:16-17.\u201dSee Proverbs 4:20-22.But as we know ,man was deceived immediately after creation. He therefore did not follow the scriptural guidelines from which he should have learnt the right and true life. he chose to follow \u201c,\u2026\u2026..philosophy and empty deceit according to human traditions ,according to evil spirits of the universe(see Ephesians 2:1-3)and not according to Christ (Col 2:8).\u201d<\/p>\n For this reason, he was separated from God (his builder) and\u201d\u2026\u2026.followed the futility of their minds ,which are darkened not to understand, for which, they got separated from the life of God because of rejecting Him.\u201dEphesians 4:17\u201d.<\/p>\n Therefore, man never knew God ,nor himself, neither did he know the life he was supposed to live by. God confirms this when He says ,\u201dAll have turned aside, together they have gone wrong, no one does good, not even one. No one understands, no one seeks for God-Romans 3:12,11.\u201d<\/p>\n This wrong living, and ignorance of man is evident in the today\u2019s evils. There is war almost everywhere; there is killing,hatred,separation,incurable diseases ,disagreements and demonstrations all over, with men divided among themselves. Yet, up to now, man doesn\u2019t know why the evils. They say its God\u2019s will. God\u2019s will!<\/p>\n Since they all know very well that it is God who created them, then they conclude, it is God who created this destructive life.<\/p>\n It is not true. This is Satan\u2019s lie. It is his life through which, he wants to kill if possible, all human beings.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 SALVATION<\/strong><\/p>\n God for sometime \u201c\u2026..allowed all nations to walk in their own ways-Acts. 14:16,\u201d,\u201d\u2026\u2026.following their own plans, with everyone acting according to the stubbornness of this Satan-given evil heart-Jer 18:12.\u201d<\/p>\n When God was creating man, satan was already the ruler of this world, whose life is symbolized by the tree of the knowledge of good and evil-see Gen 2:9,17\u201d.<\/p>\n So, He knew of a possibility for man to be deceived .God had therefore fore planned a way to save man incase it happens. This way was the crucifixion of Jesus who, according to the foreplay was\u201dslain before the \u00a0foundation of the world-Rev 13:8.\u201dSee also Psalms 40:6-7.<\/p>\n So lastly, when the time had fully come, God send His son ,born of woman\u2026\u2026to redeem \u2026..Gal 4:4-5.\u201d<\/p>\n Here, God has send Christ to teach men the right and true life which they were deceived to reject since the days of Eden-see Gen 3:4-6.<\/p>\n Remember, man is God\u2019s building which no one else can build. Remember, he is God\u2019s own making without mans contribution. But He was mislead from the foundation on which he is built and so begun to destroy himself. Note a continuity of God\u2019s non-conditional purpose and will.<\/p>\n So, without man\u2019s awareness ,without any request, without any decision by man, God planned to save Him. What we need to realize here is that the entire man\u2019s life is God\u2019s plan. Man did not ask to be created, neither did he ask to be saved, for \u201c\u2026\u2026while we were still sinners ,Christ died for us-Rom 5:8.\u201dTherefore,\u2026\u2026it is not by man\u2019s work ,it is the gift of God .for by Grace you have been saved through faith-Eph 2:8.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 SAVED BY GRACE<\/strong><\/p>\n If you have keenly followed the message to this point, then I believe it is now easy to understand what it means to be saved by grace and not by works of the law.<\/p>\n But lets now get it more clearer from God\u2019s own mouth please. For\u201d\u2026\u2026.you are God\u2019s field, God\u2019s building -1st<\/sup> cor 3:9.\u201dAnd again, \u201cyou o Lord ,art our Father, we are the clay and you are the potter. We are all the work of thine hands-Isa 64:8.\u201d<\/p>\n God had a plan (and up to now, it stands) in which He will make us spirit beings at its completion. As buildings or clay being moulded,we cant suggest anything but only play according to His direction, for He wonders \u201c,\u2026\u2026..can\u2019t I do with you as the potter ,does with a clay-jer 18:6,4.\u201d<\/p>\n What am I driving at here? Our work here is not to tell God what to do, or to design our own ways of doing it, but to submit only. For the Lord tells us\u201d,\u2026.it is God who is working in you both to will and to do for His own good pleasure \u2013phill. 2:13.\u201dThis is what grace means; i.e, God\u2019s non-conditional provision. Yes, God\u2019s own working, for His own purpose and according to His will.<\/p>\n Bit unless we understand what we are being saved from, the \u00a0true meaning of, by Grace and not by works.\u201d may not be clear.So,what is this we are being saved from? \u201c\u2026\u2026..you will call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from sins \u2013mat 1:21.\u201dSee also 1 Tim .1:15.\u201dYes,we are being saved by Grace from sin.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WHAT IS SIN?<\/strong><\/p>\n God created man to lead a specific way of life which He Himself had designed as we have previously seen. This life is defined by His laws, the scriptures of the Holy Bible. Man rejected this instructions and begun to imagine and make his own laws and ways which are gradually killing him now. This acting against the law(life instructions)is what God calls sine for He says,\u201d sin is the breaking of Gods law -1 john 3:4.\u201dTherefore,we are being saved by grace from breaking Gods law.yes,God has non conditionally decided to create as many as will choose His way into spirit beings (for details, request for our message, ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN).<\/p>\n So whatever saved by grace means ,it \u00a0has to do with making men to stop breaking God\u2019s law, for He says, \u201cfor the grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men ,training us to renounce irreligious and worldly passions and live sober, upright and godly lives in this world-Tit 2:11-12.\u201d<\/p>\n But if all we need to do \u00a0to be saved is to obey the laws, thus, stop sinning, cant we just do that? why do we need God\u2019s grace ?why do we need God\u2019s working in us to obey the law? cant we merely decide and simple obey?<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WORKS OF FAITH<\/strong><\/p>\n As we saw, God is building us into spirit beings. In the same way a building cannot construct itself, so cant we.<\/p>\n In order to complete us, He is working through a process. It began when he created the physical beings we are, which have physical minds, and can only understand the physical life. But it has to acquire knowledge on how to operate (live)from without. So, the second stage is to develop God\u2019s mind which god uses to develop his holy righteous character in us.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Previously, we saw how man developed Satan\u2019s mind instead of God\u2019s. This mind can\u2019t build but can only destroy, as we are witnessing its fruits in in the today\u2019s world.<\/p>\n When Jesus came teaching the (God\u2019s true life),He told those who believed, \u201cabide in me and I in you; as the branch can\u2019t bear fruit by itself unless it abides by the stem, neither can you unless you abide by me\u2026.apart from me, you can do nothing-John.15:4-5\u201d.Yes,here,god is confirming the fact that we can\u2019t build ourselves. He has to do it. But how?<\/p>\n Since god is our constructor, when one accepts His life as explained in the scriptures, God promises to do something. What? He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me; and he who loves me is loved by my father\u2026\u2026.and we will come to him and make our home in him-John.14:21,23\u201d.At this point, God in Jesus Christ through the holy spirit begins his phase-two construction in that person\u2019s life It is God living His life by the holy spirit in that person-see Gal.2:20.In every step, we realize it is God to make the first move for man to do the right thing. To confirm this, He tells us, \u201cNo one can come to me unless the father draws him-John.6:44\u201dThis is why Christ tells those who follow him;\u201dyou did not choose me but I chose you out of the world-John.15:16\u201d<\/p>\n The point here is to make the meaning of grace(god\u2019s non conditional working in one\u2019s life)very clear to those who are given to understand. This is because, a great majority have continued in sin claiming to be under grace. Does this mean we are mere robots, programmed like computers? Is it like we are being driven like cars?<\/p>\n OUR PART<\/p>\n God is creating a man who is like him in every way, i.e., a spirit being, eternal life packed with creative power, perfect in wisdom and filled with glory.<\/p>\n For this to happen, we must play a part which brings about the works of Faith.<\/p>\n God is in us through the spirit teaching us to live and work like him. The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to empower us to obey the Spiritual Law which defines the righteous character for he says, \u201c\u2026\u2026 so that the just requirements of the law may be fulfilled in us who walk not according to the flesh but according to the spirit-rom.8:4\u201d. So, after the gracious providence of God; after He gives us His holy spirit, the spirit will not use us, but rather, we will use it, for He says, \u201cstir up the gift of the spirit which is in you-2Tim.1:6\u201d. This is our part. We have to use this spirit to live by God\u2019s spiritual law, which is impossible for a carnal mind, for, \u201ca carnal mind is hostile to god; it can\u2019t submit to his Law-Rom.8:7\u201d. This kind of obedience by the power of God\u2019s spirit is what God calls, \u201cWORKS OF FAITH\u201d; i.e., doing what God says by His power, So you find that, it is still God working, not you for, \u201cnot by might nor by strength, but by my spirit, says the Lord-Zech.4:6\u201d.\u201d Do we then overthrow the law by grace? By no means. On the opposite, we uphold(obey) the law-rom.3:31\u201d.<\/p>\n It is therefore very clear that, being under grace is being in the law of God. For the grace is God\u2019s free given opportunity and empowerment to obey the law.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 UNDER THE LAW\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n Why then does Jesus through Paul say we are not under the law but under grace? What does he mean? who is under the law and why?<\/p>\n \u2018\u2019we know that the law is spiritual but I am carnal sold under sin \u2013Rom 7:14\u2019\u2019.Apart from God\u2019s working in us (grace) through his holy spirit we are carnal minded.<\/p>\n In this condition the law that works in our minds\u00a0 to give us knowledge on how to live is\u2019 \u2019THE LAW OF SIN & DEATH Rom 8:2 last part\u2019\u2019.it is the \u2018\u2019\u2026..another law in my flesh fighting against the law of God-Rom.7:23\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n Knowing sin to be God\u2019s law-breaking, everyone who doesn\u2019t have God working in him is\u2019\u2019\u2014hostile to GOD\u00a0 and can\u2019t submit to God\u2019s law-Rom 8:7\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n So if circumstances dictate that he must obey God, then all he will do is to pretend and display an outward\u00a0 show of obedience-hypocrisy.<\/p>\n A good example is a smoker. If he enters a room with a law saying, \u2019No smoking\u201d, for fear of consequences, he will not smoke, but only enduringly. He stays in that room under the law held captive and burdened because the law in his mind wants to smoke.<\/p>\n This is what it means to be under the law. The reason being that the mind already has another law at work in it which is opposite to the law being introduced. Our lord elaborates on this asking,\u2019\u2019\u2026\u2026.is the law sin? By no means\u2026. but sin (already in the mind disclosed by the law) finds an opportunity in the commandment\u2026Rom 7:8.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n If a person who lives in the law (who doesn\u2019t smoke)enters the room, he will not be burdened by it. It will give him joy. It will not bother him. It is written in his heart. It is in his mind not to smoke.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Such a one is not under but in the law. He lives it He obeys it naturally, for it is in his mind not to smoke. Therefore, the law is a yoke and bothersome to those who are not under grace even though they may claim to be. This is why they put every effort to brand it\u2019 \u2019abolished\u2019\u2019\u2014See 2Tim.1:8-10. The law of the spirit of life in Jesus Christ -Rom 8:21.\u2019\u2019Those who are under grace have received the holy spirit, the very spirit that wrote the law and the prophets which bear witness to it , and it has become their way of life- their joy. It is written in their hearts.<\/p>\n Therefore, know and understand that those who are under the law hate it because the spirit of the law of sin in them can\u2019t submit to it. what they may act as obedience is in preference, it is what God calls works of the law and it only produces self righteousness because it is not from the heart.<\/p>\n This\u00a0\u00a0 was the case with the Jews and is also the case with the majority of Christians today.<\/p>\n \u2018\u2019for being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God (by grace through the in dwelling spirit) and seeking to establish their own righteousness (outward display of obedience justified by men), they don\u2019t submit to God\u2019s Righteousness-Rom 10:3.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n According to them grace means license to sin (breaking God\u2019s law). Is it?<\/p>\n God forbid.\u201d \u2026.are we to continue breaking the law(sin) that grace may abound? By no means. How can we who have died to sin live in it-Rom 6:1:2?\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n Christ came to display the law of God in a visible active way. All that the law says, he did practically by the grace of God, for he admits this one thing;\u201d I can do nothing on my own authority\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.i seek not my own will but the will of him (God) who sent me-John 5:30.\u2019\u2019He was the active living law of God and did set us an example on how to obey it.<\/p>\n If anyone reads the law and doesn\u2019t find Christ in it, then he doesn\u2019t know Christ, for Jesus wonders,\u2019\u2019\u2026..you search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, not knowing, they\u00a0 bear witness to me- John. 5:39\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n What is Christ saying here? The scripture (the amplified law) explains the life which Christ practiced but people don\u2019t find him and his life in them. If anyone understands Christ he will find that the scriptures are his own life and teachings.<\/p>\n Therefore Christ is the end of the law, meaning all the law and the prophets is embodied in him. Yes, If you see Christ, you have seen the law & the prophets.<\/p>\n Friends, this is what \u2018\u2019saved by grace\u201d means. Based on this, are we really under grace or only deceiving ourselves? Search and examine your hearts before you utter an answer.<\/p>\n The voice of the seventh angel send by God to the church as written in revelation .3:14, 20-21 is what you are reading here.<\/p>\n Do you wish to hear more of it? The end time church of God is here for you.<\/p>\n Tune in right away to<\/p>\n THE ENDTIME CHURCH OF GOD<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Anytime a builder decides to construct a house, he sits down and designs it according to his will. He then uses that design to dig a foundation on which the house will stand and then begins the building. The house does not request the constructor to build it, nor does it give suggestions on how…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-english-messages"],"yoast_head":"\n