RECOGNIZING GRACE

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CONTENTS

RECOGNIZING GRACE

GRACE AND R] GtlTEOUSNESS

GRACE AND WSDOM GRACE AND GENEROslrrY GRACE AND RESPONSIBILITY

1dedicatethísbooktomywifeRebeckawho

was persistently encouraging me to write and publísh ít. Rebecka, you recognized the

grace in me for thís book to be written.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

1 wish to thank those who helped in bringing this

book into this reality and to all who were anticipating for it's release. This is not j.ust my book only, but

belongs to all who tirelessly work along me, as we are growing in this grace. Big 'thank you' to Violeta Pantekoska, Aleksandar

Madzarovski and lvan Babanovski who were patiently

re-reading, edited the text and greatly contributed this book to have its fine layout.

Words aren't enough to express my gratitude to the Holy Spirit and His leadership, to my Lord Jesus

Christ Who constantly amazes me with His goodness and our heavenly Father for His immeasurable love.

FOREWARD

In RecogJiz.zJ.ng GmcG, Zoran Spasovski reveals to us

the grace of the Lord ]esus Christ in a genuine way. For

hundreds of years back into history, many generations have neglected this topic entirely. But now it's within

reach, to serve us with tremendous power and freshness. ReadingthisbookwillmakeyourealizetherealityofGod's

kingdom and the essential fact that this very kingdom is not far from us because Jesus completely finished this work for us. As the apostle Paul stated: ``Yet He (God) is

actually not far from each one of us, for in Him we live and move and have our being." This book reminds us

that God is very close, and He shows no partiality and is no respecter of persons. And 1 believe it will stir up the

hope in each reader for believing that there is a victorious

life prepared for us, a life of freedom founded on the revelation of the grace of our Lord |esus Christ. If grace

is for each and every person, then this book is for you! It's really up to us to submerse ourselves in this grace and

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ZORAN SPASOVSKl

RECOCNIZINC GRACE

FOREWARD

In Jiecogni.zi'ng Grcrce, Zoran Spasovski reveals to us

the grace of the Lord |esus Christ in a genuine way. For

hundreds of years back into history, many generations have neglected this topic entirely. But now it's within

reach, to serve us with tremendous power and freshness. ReadingthisbookwillmakeyourealizetherealityofGod's

kingdom and the essential fact that this very kingdom is not far from us because Jesus completely finished this work for us. As the apostle Paul stated: ``Yet He (God) is

actually not far from each one of us, for in Him we live and move and have our being." This book reminds us

that God is very close, and He shows no partiality and is no respecter of persons. And 1 believe it will stir up the

hope in each reader for believing that there is a victorious life prepared for us, a life of freedom founded on the revelation of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. If grace

is for each and every person, then this book is for you!

It's really up to us to submerse ourselves in this grace and

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]Jva9 9NIZINDO)]ü

FOREWARD

grace, and we'll enter heaven by grace. So, while here on earth let us learn how to live by it. I truly rejoice for Spasovski's first book and honestly

believeitwillbeagreatblessingtothereaders.Iencourage

you as you read, to have an open mind about it, to soar above the clouds and come into agreement with heaven about your life. Only that way will you be able to see the riches He has prepared for you, for ``from His fullness we

have all received grace upon grace.''

Alexandar Dukovski Christian Center 490, Skopje

Chapter One

RECOGNIZING GRACE

GRACE:

"Unmerited divine help given to people for their renewal and sanctification." "Genuine favor, a privilege."

After a great deal of searching for the meaning of life, and afterthehostoftrialsandexperienceslhadfacedasayoung man, in 1995, at the age of twenty-one, I got saved and experienced a dramatic change. A new man was molded in me and was becoming more evident and more obvious to those around me. This change was so unmistakably apparent to those who were part of my daily life and yet was not so easy to explain. Everything around me became alive and all things took on new dimensions of reality. The best thing that could ever happen to a confused and frightened soul is to meet the Savior Jesus Christ. Right in that moment the meaning and the direction of my life were outlined and still are the same to this day - to live formySavioreachandeverydayofmylife.Livingbyfaith and testifting about this tremendous life in Him to those around me has become my reality. Growing in maturity

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])VtiD 9NIZIN90]]a

RECOGNIZING GRACE

admirationforthegreatnessoftheLordJesuschrist.Inthis

process of getting acquainted with His grace, the reality of who God is to me was never reduced or underestimated nor was it ever neglected. With the revelation of grace, everything became even more intensive and more vivid compared to my previous knowledge and experiences. Certainly, this grace described in the Scriptures as unsearchable will be continuously unveiled and sought, and all of us will grow in the knowledge of its work. The revelation about this concept and my experience in this

process of discovering the power of grace changed my understanding of God's greatness and at the same time changed my life entirely. The closeness 1 experience with the Holy Spirit, the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father now are even deeper. All of this is a result of growing in grace. The truth 1 came to know in a different way, the freedom 1 experienced, increased my gratitude toward God more and more. I only have God to thank for His amazing revelation of His grace which helped me to comprehend righteousness. I realized that Christ's righteousness is irrevocably woven into my being, which thus opened a way for boldness to become a natural part of my everyday life. Joy and peace now are more vivid and more tangible, as if 1 can almost taste them or smell them. The faith in me is now the reality which permeates beyond the reasoning and patterns of this world. God's reality is so compelling that it both immerses and fills every particle of my existence, Simultaneously, with the understanding of this revelation came the desire and the burden to share it, so anyone who would read

19

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]Jvti9 DNIZINDOJ]d

RECOGNIZING GRACE

through the Holy Spirit. In the letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul says: ''...so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:7) AstimewentbyGoddisplayedHisgracemoreandmoreso that nowadays we are experiencing a far greater measure of it than it was experienced by previous generations. It's God's decision to meet the need for grace in His various ways. This decision is determined by the depth of our desire in the first place. So His response through His manifested kingdom is equal to our earnest desire to understand Him and His grace for us. When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, He gave them the instructions, saying: "Pray then like this: `Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name." (Matthew 6:9)

Jesusgivesthemtheopportunitytolearnhowtopray,and He didn't stop here but throughout the whole chapter of this Gospel, He continued to give spiritual and practical advice to all those who desired to understand His kingdom and how it works. Further, He went on to say: ``But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matt.6:33) Therefore,accordingtothedesireandthelonginginusto continually taste and experience grace in its unsearchable depths, we'll see the kingdom of God advancing in (the world). In other words, grace will be revealed in our lives correspondingtothedesirewecultivateforitinourselves. In this age, we live having the knowledge and experiences

of the believers who came before us and the discernment of the things written for our edification; we can conclude

21

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RECOGNIZING GRACE

created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ ]esus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him." (Ephesians 3:8-12)

We have since accumulated a vast sum of revelations about heaven and the kingdom, the angelic world, the true nature of ]esus Christ, of God the Father, and of the Holy Spirit. We've been given the weighty opportunity to really advance in our understanding of God's grace. I'm honestly shocked when 1 hear other believers saying: ``Don't be so radical, you don't really need more revelations, God will determine how much it will be revealed to you." It seems that the main source of this statement is the misconception that such knowledge will puff us up. Accordingly, two things come to mind: first, I'm pretty sure this stance is rooted in fear, and second, it reflects a lackofunderstandingofseveralkeyareasofchristianlife: a failure to know God's heart and His plans and purposes for us alongside a failure to understand the Bible and the context of certain of its ideas and concepts. Yes, I agree that knowledge can puff up and sometimes can lead to one's own destruction. Paul wrote concerning this matter: ``Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that all of us possess knowledge. This `knowledge' puffs up, but love builds up." (1 Corinthians 8:1) In this verse, according to the context of the comparison and the purpose of this knowledge, of course love is the paramount! In other instances where knowledge isn't compared to love, it's highlighted and estimated as a goal worth reaching for. In

23

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pue pJoi Jno jo 98pgiMouH etii ui pue eDt3J8 9H] u! MOJ8 1n8,, :910JM |"3d 9|]SodB 3U| U6qM S!q] inoqp Pt39i 9M •68PaiMoUH it3!|U9!Jodx9 u!e8 oi pa8t3moJua 6.iB aM `]]t3j

]Jvti9 9NIZIN90J]d

RECOGNIZING GRACE

Christ. He wants to challenge us to great exploits in areas yet unknown to our minds so we can reach greater depths of His grace. If we truly believe and claim that God is limitless and eternally unsearchable, then the idea of new revelations simply ceasing breaks down and isn't valid. Those revelations were never meant to be a hidden mystery for us; they are in God ready and waiting for us to discover them. It is His will for us to seek them and find them. God intended to be known more and more, He offered His hand of friendship. Jesus said this Himself: ``You did not choose me, but 1 chose you and appointed you" (John 15:16)

We have grace and encouragement and comfort in Jesus Christ, we have bright and wonderful hope in which we live by faith. I am convinced that every human heart's desire is to know God and to dwell within His marvelous wholeness. Grace makes this possible.

Deeper understanding of God's grace Theapostlepaulwrote:"sochristmaydwellinyourhearts through faith-that you being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ, that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:17-19) This is a very promising scripture, and there is such depth in it. If we are really ready to open ourselves

25

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•mM siq pue]si6pun oi 6jiijo uiopsiM si ii (TT:T

sut3is6HdH) „.mM siu jo igsu" 9tii o] 8u!piooDe ssuiqi iie SHioM OHM uiiq jo 3SodJnd gtii oi 8u!PJooJp p6ui]s6p6id ugaq 8uiABq 6JUB]iiaqu! uB p3uit2|qo 3At3q 6M u!q ui„ `ii[M puB 9mst36id s,poo Áq pauit3pio 9Aoqp Ssu!qi gtii jo uo!it3isej!ueui gti] H©es puB ÁJuenb9Jj S,u9Aegu oi u! 9uni oi ut39i isnui 3M .ut3id s,poD ui i,u6JB Áiduis s8uiqi gsoq] 6sm3]aq`ugddeq"Msu!qiouims`si86ÁiojÁBidpueÁt3id

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S8uiqi 9Jp 3J6tii .ÁiaisÁu siti] ioj uoiit3PAoi su!H39S ÁiinjgsodJnd jo uo!]!sod e suiHt3i se]ouep pzJayaLJdLuoo PJOM 9q| `|X9| |t3U!8!IO 3U| U| „...PU6t|9JduoJ 0] H]8U9J]S 3ABu Át!u noÁ it3q] ...,, :SÁes ]i 3Aoqe 3mid!JJS 6til jo ST

asi6A ui .ssgupoos s,poD jo uo!suaqgiduoD ino MOJS

Pue Sn qsnoJu] M0H iiiM ]! `qi"i S!tii jo iaMod aqi oi dn

]Jvti9 9NIZIN90J]d

RECOGNIZING GRACE

The Holy Spirit expects us to adj.ust to the

frequency of heaven

The more we get acquainted with the reality of heaven the more we'll allow it to express itself through us. The Holy Spirit expects us to adjust to the frequency of heaven. And the whole purpose for it is for us to discover and see and tastethethingsabovesowecandisplaythemhere.Let'sbe ready for the promptings of the Spirit. Otherwise we won't be able to testift about the dimensions of His greatness. We cannot bear witness to such things unless they are born in us. We only have the boldness to speak of what is inside of us, otherwise we'11 just retell someone else's experiences. Second hand stories may have influence to

a certain extent, but our personal experience will truly impact those in our vicinity. We need to understand grace in our own genuine way, we ought to perceive how it works, because it's the only way for the culture of heaven to invade the culture of this world.

Deeper ln the Gospel of Luke we read the following verse: ``And when Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon, `Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.'"(Luke 5:4) Although this verse is basic and practical advice for Simon as a fisherman, to me personally the word deeper stands out, and 1 want to discuss it further.

27

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]]Va9 9NIZINDO]]a

RECOGNIZING GRACE

yet it brings salvation for those who humble themselves and accept it wholeheartedly. ``...givingthankstotheFather,whohasqualified

you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son." (Colossians 1:12-13)

The Gospel isn't just the good r}ew5, it's the BEST NEWS EVER!

We've been privileged to be delivered from the domain and influence of darkness where we couldn't truly see and be transferred to the kingdom of light. And now we not only can have a sense of the shape of things, but we can see them clearly. What's really happening? The Holy Spirit is sharpening our senses so in that way we grow in perceiving spiritually all that is around us. Being saved in the first place is amazing, but if we only remain on this level of experience - just knowing we are saved - we'll miss out on the great wonders of God's kingdom and God's closeness which are now available. Therefore, we must train our spiritual senses and grow in the understanding that the Holy Spirit gives. If we lose our sensitivity to the spiritual world, we'll be in danger becoming obtuse to the leadership ofthe Holy Spirit. We'll know of God's existence but remain ignorant of how to be led by him. What we

perceive in the spiritual world isn't something distant or unknown (or it shouldn't be) because it's already in

29

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On the contrary, he wanted his glorious kingdom to be revealed, and at the same time, he stirs up the desire in us to understand how this kingdom works and manifests. Therefore, seeking God's kingdom is an active and progressive function. Jesus exhorts us to seek it in order to find it and ultimately so that we can give it away. The kingdom is not a secret mystery. It was a mystery prior to Jesus' coming on this earth. It's not hidden because it already dwells in us. Concerning this kingdom, we cannot affordlukewarmthinking:``well,ifitcomesthenitcomes, if not, then it's not a big deal." This mentality might be typical for our nation or other nations, but it should be avoided at all costs in the mindset of God's people. When our lord Jesus Christ set this challenge to seek his kingdom, he provided the end result of that pursuit: the kingdom can be found. We must therefore find it within us and to manifest it.

Therefore, seeking God's kingdom is an active and progressive function

The Holy Spirit came because of God's grace, and his intention is to dwell in us and among us. The purpose of his coming is to inspire us to live this life in accordance withhisleadership.IfwesubmitandallowtheHolySpirit and his living word to work in our hearts, he is able to change our life to that extent that we won't be able to recognize ourselves.

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the encounter with God's word and when they face the truth in it, they don't remain the same. And the Holy Spirit will continually confirm his word because he will endorse the pursuit in their heart to know Christ Jesus deeply intimately.

The grace and the truth Without the understanding of this amazing grace, we won't be able to function in life and certainly won't be able to fulfill God's plan for our life. Grace is the foundation of everything we have and are given. Life is a gift, faith is a

gift, strength is a gift and our calling is a gift. All these are gifts from God. Our Christian life is not functional when we lack understanding about grace, nor will it make much sense to us. I personally think the next verse is a mirror reflection of who the Father is and how he sees us: "Every

good and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there's no variation or shadow due to change." (James 1:17)

I don't understand the doctrine where God is portrayed as someone who takes things away. On the contrary, everywhere 1 turn in the Bible, I see a generous God who is the God of grace. ]esus Christ came and displayed openly who the Father is, and all he did was look at what the Father did. With every act of grace and kindness, ]esus revealed the Father's heart. This was the reason why he came full of grace and truth. Jesus came in grace and truth, and we received grace upon grace. But why doesn't

33

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RECOGNIZING GRACE

sheep hear my voice and 1 know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27)

The truth enforces and sharpens Jesus'voice and silences the voice of the enemy

On the cross Jesus solved all the problems and every

possible circumstance that could have created a chasm between him and us. His cross and his resurrection still havethepowerofwhichtheapostlePaulsaid:"...that1may know him and the power of his resurrection." (Philippians 3: 10) This power is still the same and limitlessly effective. It doesn't lose its effectiveness. Therefore, when we call upon Jesus, the problem has to leave, because the same

power that was released two thousand years ago is still very present and active just as it was back then. Yet, the measure of the manifestation of that power depends and is determined by our willingness to humble ourselves before our |esus. The only reason why people are set free orhealedisbecauseof]esus'/].Jii.shedworkonthecross.As

strange as what I'm about to say may sound, if we believe that Jesus heals in the moment when we are praying for someone, then clearly that would mean that he failed to complete his work on the cross. Let's not be deceived in thinking that God only loved us from the moment Jesus was hanging on the cross. If that were the case, then there would have been no initiative for the cross whatsoever! In other words, the only thing that triggered God's plan for the cross was actually his eternal love for us. His love for

35

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]Jvt]9 DNIZINDOJ]d

RECOGNIZING GRACE

]esus' standards ln the Gospel of ]ohn is written: ``If you abide in my word,

you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32) Jesus Christ is

the Author of faith and as long as we remain and abide in him, we are abiding in that faith. He also said: ``...for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) If we desire to see more of God's glory and the manifestation ofhis power, firstly we ought to love ]esus and everything else will take its place. Let's first love Jesus and the rest will flow out of the fellowship with him. He knows exactly what we need because he knows the condition we are in and the need we are facing. Jesus knows exactly how much we need and when to give us what we need and more. Why? Simply

because that's who he is - full of grace and truth. Just because our current condition doesn't correspond with the promised one in the Bible, doesn't mean that ]esus Christ has changed.

Let's first love Jesus and the rest will flow out of the fellowship with him

There are standards of holiness and love and forgiveness and appropriate talking and conduct which Jesus established. When we don't live up to the standard of Christ's deed, then we paint a false picture about what we believe for ourselves and others, and it will disappoint us

37

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]Jvd9 9NIZIN90J]d

RECOGNIZING GRACE

the only way for God's truth to be understood is by the power of grace.

The gloves of grace I've come across preachers who speak the truth and aren't covered by the protection of love. Years back, I was quickened by the Holy Spirit who warned me to use the gloves of grace each time 1 want to speak the truth from God's word. God's word by itself is sharp and might easily injure those who hear and those who use this sword without putting on grace's gloves. For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

I strongly believe the spoken truth must be in an accordance with grace. Without grace truth couldn't come and be expressed. Grace enabled truth to appear and take up its place in us. Through the cross of Christ grace opened the door for us to get acquainted with the truth and believe it and receive the salvation. Without this truth we couldn't reach the level of faith and the revelation of God's intention to save us. And the love of Christ Jesus is our crown. Love was the motive for the cross and is the cornerstone of God's redeeming intervention for the humanity. What does this really mean? Love was the reason and the end goal of ]esus Christ. To have us for himself and present us pure and blameless before God the Father.

39

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RECOGNIZING GRACE

we don't deserve. When we grow in truth and grace, we perfect ourselves in Christ's love.

The presence offear is actually the indicator of the absence of the revelation of grace and its comprehension

Love ought to be the motive for everything we do in life. And love is perfected when we practice it. The presence of fear is actually the indicator of the absence of the revelation of grace and its comprehension. The beauty of God's grace is the freedom in Christ. We are no longer controlled, but led, not imprisoned but free, and free to be obedient to Christ. Not manipulated by someone but led by the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of grace and who gives freedom so we can live free within God's truth for our lives.

Grace is unselfish lnitsessence,graceisunselfishanditsexpressionisGod's perfect goodness. God is unselfish and so is his grace in its function and manifestation. Grace was given so it can be accepted and received, and further genuinely conveyed through our words and deeds which are inspired by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, grace has the ability to be transferred from one person to another.

41

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]Jvd9 DNIZINDO]]a

RECOGNIZING GRACE

certainmeasureasitdoes,forit'snotconditionedbyour deeds.Graceisabsolutewhichmeanswecannotenhance itormakeitmoreefficient.Eachtimewetrytodothings in our own strength and in our time frame, we become potential enemies of God's grace. The best definition I can offer is the following: Humi]ity in our life promises the overflow of grace, still our humility cannot condition

grace to come. Because in that case it would be by merit andnotbygrace.Humilityushersingrace.Asitiswritten: "Buthegivesmoregrace.Thereforeitsays,`Godopposes theproud,butgivesgracetothehumble'."(James4:6)

``ForthegraceofGodappeared'' yhenonedoesn'tsurrenderhislifetoJesuschrist,hewill

inevitably miss out on God's purpose and goal for his life. TheverydiscoveryandacceptanceofGod'sgoaloughtto bethesolefoundationforourpreachingandevangelism. We don't force people to join some organization or to

fol]owsomehumandoctrines,butwhatwepreachtothem willbecomethefoundationfortheirlife.OnlyJesusisable toleadthemintherightdirectionandgivethemmeaning apd .purpose, because opposite sin (which basically is missing the mark) are grace and righteousness. When we encounter grace, we realize Jesus eradicated sin and destroyed our sinful nature once and for all and gave us righteousness and a new divine nature. Opposite sin is righteousness.

77

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RECOGNIZING GRACE

with encouragement. They see that Christ is in us and that he is the head of the church we are part of.

And when we gather as a church, we speak of Christ and we preach of him and we sing about him and to him -we live for him. If Christ is among us, then the whole spiritual world is fixed on us with great expectations for the heavenly things to come through us. This flows from grace and righteousness. We are equipped to grow and live in the abundance that comes from Christlikeness ``until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:13) 1 am convinced that a lifetime here on earth isn't enough to explore this grace, even eternity itself won't suffice

For a short period of time, Jesus stepped out of his eternal glory and came in the flesh to establish a secure and eternal foundation for humanity. He came to bring us back to God and to enforce our primary identity as God's children. The whole heaven was in awe of this outstanding display of his eternal work of love. I'm aware of the limitations we often demonstrate regarding the greatness of Christ's work, which unfortunately constrains God and all he has prepared for us due to our inability to grasp more. Therefore, we mustn't build upon teachings and reasoning based solely on experiences and man's wisdom, because this was the very reason why ]esus opposed man's tradition and teachings. Let's not limit God!

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]JvdD 9NIZINDOJ]d

Chapter two

GRACE AND R] GH"OUSNESS "...but for us also. It (righteousness) will be counted to

us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." Romans 4:24-25

This verse brings great depth from the Holy Spirit, yet 1 am not sure if believers have understood it well. I have witnessed many conversations and debates on the question of why Jesus rose from the dead. The most common answer was that Jesus, through his resurrection, defeated the last enemy of the humanity: death. Surely this statement is true and is recorded in the Bible, but the essence of the answer is deeper. If we only take this

perspective into consideration, that death is defeated, then the encouragement of the verse for Christians here and now becomes merely a vague concept with no power for today. According to this answer, the comfort of this verse is valid only for the future. We live in a world where death and suffering are a tangible reality, and it will be hard to convince ourselves, much less others, that death is really

51

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GRACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

we know now that Jesus annulled death's power and now is only the physical passage from here to eternal life, and His triumphant victory over it is the possibility for life without the burden of sin here on earth. The resurrection enabled the salvation Jesus provided to bereleased.Becauseofitspowerwecanmakeaspectacle of the principalities of darkness. It gave us the power for life in Jesus Christ. Because of the resurrection, we are justified in the eyes of God and have the boldness like no one before to approach the throne of grace. The truth stands: now we have the power to live a life filled with themanifestationsoftheKingdom.Nooneandnothingin this world has the power to change the outcome of what

|esushasdone:Herosefromthedeadforourjustification once and for all and declared us righteous,

Christ's righteousness ln the letter to the Hebrews we read: ``For by a single offering,hehasperfectedforalltimethosewhoarebeing sanctified." (Hebrews 10:14) Let me paraphrase the verse like this: if we have received Christ's salvation and

yet we claim we are still sinners, then we are hypocrites and arrogant toward the work of Christ because we have denied the Holy Spirit's declaration. Christ rose for our justification. His perfect sacrifice was enough once and for all to declare us righteous. But if we claim we are still sinTersandthatwecannotbefreefromsinuntilthatDay, basically we are declaring that Jesus didn't rise from the dead. As the apostle Paul stated in one of the letters to

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])Vti9 9NIZIN90]]a

GRACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

to live outside Christ's righteousness, they lose sight of living in true freedom, and they don't truly live; they just wander and try to survive. When we look around us, we'll notice that people are empty. It's noticeable in their eyes in their actions and in their words. Each and every one is on a quest for life that is meaningful and purposeful. And it all comes down to three things they seek: the meaning of life, peace in their soul and joy in life. They seek the meaning of life, they seek peace, for without these they cannot function properly, and they seek joy to beautift their life. If we correlate these three things with |esus' statement that he came to give us life in abundance, then freely we can say that Jesus came to give us meaning, peaceandjoy,Thisisonlypossiblethroughthefellowship with him, as it is written: ``And this is eternal life that they know you the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you sent." (John 17:3) In what manner does God desire to be known? He desires for us to be convinced that he

sees us differently, that we are not destitute and lost but clothed with Christ's righteousness. God is eternally alive, and what he gives to us possesses life. If we know Tesus Christ, we'll know what love is really about because we'll experience God's love and be thrilled - how wonderful it is to receive God's righteousness and live with the identity of being righteous! In light of this, I would like to add that accepting Jesus' righteousness is the way to find the meaning of life. The true beauty and security of our existence are found only in the justification Jesus Christ himselfprovided.

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GRACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

words are synonyms used according the context of the passages. What God has declared over us is righteousness although he knew our fallen nature which we inherited from our progenitor Adam. He declares: ``1 am the God of

justice and 1 will bring forth righteousness that satisfies the requirements of my justice, therefore 1 grant the

people the right to my righteousness because of my Son lesus' righteousness." He also says: "1 am righteous and whoever is in Christ, I declare him righteous." God's

justice was served on the cross when God gave his Son Jesus for the whole world, and he rendered judgment that whoever believes in the finished work of his Son will live in his righteousness and be righteous forever. None can reverse this declaration!

The security of righteousness We witness nowadays that many Christians worldwide are in turmoil carrying burdens which they have thrust upon themselves. I used this word particularly because in their honest effort to live their Christian life, they've put themselves in a state of turmoil, not even aware of the fact that living by the Law is real torture. This lifestyle brings frustrations on daily basis but not inner change. And all this due to ignorance and confusion concerning the questionofwhetherornottheyaretrulyjustifiedonceand for. The reason why many believers raise this question is because they are confused from the whispering voices of the religious spirits. So often they get ensnared and try to

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GRACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

untouched by man's deeds. Even the apostle Paul speaks of this in one of his teachings: "Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man (]esus Christ), forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you and by him, everyone who believes is justified from everything from which you could not be justified by the Law of Moses." (Actsl3:38-39)Thewordjz#ti/i.Gdisalsousedintheverse: ``who (Christ) was delivered for our trespasses and raised for our justification."(Romans 4:25) In the original Greek text, this word is actually a judicial term which denotes a legal right to stand before a judge with confidence knowing you are freed from any guiltL We are called to have the same position for all of eternity. In his justice, God as a righteous judge rendered judgment in our favor and he finds no guilt in us who are in Christ. The Law had

no power to justify us, but unfortunately many churches still defer to it and are enslaved by it. The apostle Paul warned us about this: ``Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about: `Look you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for 1 am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you."(Acts 13:40141) Sobering words! God the Father

defends the work of his Son so no one would add anything to it. For those who are in Christ, this is irrelevant for they have already accepted God's finished work. Nothing can separate us or take us out of this covenant which is eternal, indomitable, and pure because it's based upon the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

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GRACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

The reality in God's deeds Once, while in prayer, I asked the following question: Why is it that ]esus came full of grace and truth? I believe the Holy Spirit gave me an answer. At first it sounded like a very simple answer followed by an example. Grace is like a softener. It has that kind of effect. First it softens the

heart, it penetrates through the dirt and then it removes permanently the `stain' called sin. And then the love of the Spirit can be poured out in our hearts and sealed with his truth. It's amazing how God thought of every single detail and crafted an awesome plan from the perspective ofeternity.Wearerighteous,justifiedaccordinghisgrace. Let's clarift something: of course bad decisions will result in bad consequences, but now as righteous people we don't have the same apathetic views of the sins and mistakes we commit. This is the big difference. The fact that we feel uneasy when we make a mistake proves that

grace is purposeful and effective. The righteous nature in us helps us not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed, and therefore we cannot remain apathetic or indifferent toward sin. Before Christ saved us, we were living in sin, but it didn't make any difference to us because we were raised by the standards of our fallen nature so that our indifferent behavior was actually typical for us. But we have believed in Jesus Christ and his work and we have received his righteousness, so now we act according to

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GRACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

The truth about righteousness is the most neglected and the most marginalized truth to the extent that no one ever mentions it in their sermons. It's contradictory really. Something that is essential for us - Christ's righteousness given to us freely - is so neglected by so many believers. But the decision of God the Father stands deüing everything else set against it. It's up to us whether we accept his truth that we are righteous or whether we will keep on dealing with condemnation, which is inevitable when Christ's work is denied. Regardless of our attitude toward his righteousness, Christ Jesus never changes his attitude toward us. If you are still doubting and hesitating whether you are righteous or not, I want to encourage you: if you have believed in the Lord ]esus Christ and you have accepted him, then his righteousness is already part of your reality. I pray that the Holy Spirit will bring you even greater revelation about this truth lest fear and insecurity become your reality.

The righteous shall live by faith "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are upon their prayer..." (1 Peter 3:12)

There are many Christians who say: ``1 am praying for years and still nothing happens." The question that rises here is

what is the attitude or the understanding of their heart when they prayi? Are they praying with the attitude of a

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]JvdD 9NIZINDOJ]d

GRACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

churches in other countries, people `compete' for who will show more hospitality or pay more regard. Why is that? It's because they understand this principle. They eagerly wait to receive someone and to be with them so they can learn more from them and most of all to receive their reward (although this might sound selfish).

Thiswasthefirstpartoftheverse.Nowlet'sseethesecond part. I always emphasize that it's absolutely beneficial for us to befriend people who understand righteousness. Why? Because it's written in the Bible: one who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, shall receive a righteous man's reward. What does this truly mean? It means that righteousness brings God's presence and influence and with these comes the power to express God's character and deeds through us. A righteous person who is aware of the righteousness within is very bold and opens the door for others to recognize God and his closenesstothem.Thiswillresultwithlivesbeingchanged and souls being saved. God desires for us to possess this kind of boldness will manifest only when we are aware of his righteousness in us.

After reading all these verses, is there any other reason to still believe that we are sinners? Certainly not! God's truth still stands - we are righteous. Both the angelic and the demonic world perceive this truth in the spiritual realms. Therefore the apostle Paul encouraged us: ``But as for you, OmanofGod,fleefromthesethings.Pursuerighteousness, godliness,faith,love,steadfastness,gentleness."(1Timothy 6:11) The apostle's encouragement is directed toward

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]Jvd9 9NIZINDOJ]d

GRACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

because of his presence in us, we have joy. Then this joy will find a way to express itself through our words and deeds.EvenintheoldTestamentiswritten:"Thejoyofthe Lord is our strength." (Nehemiah 8:10) Christian mystics want to speak of great mysteries of Christ, but usually they express them with complex words hardly anyone understands. This doesn't bring freedom nor joy. I am aware this is a consequence of not having understanding about God's secrets which are no longer secrets because they are already revealed in Christ. People just need their spiritual eyes to be enlightened because they are already open. What is the very thing that enlightens the eyes of our mind? The truth! The truth about the hope and the abundant riches which Christ has now revealed to us. This is more than enough reason to continually live in the joy which ]esus Christ has given us. As it's written: ``...having

the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.'' (Ephesians 1:18)

Actually, joy is grace recognized in action in our lives

Whenever Jesus looks at us he rejoices. This fact should encourage us to rejoice with him. I am astonished by God's goodness and amazed by his grace and love. The reason for Christ's strength to endure the cross was the

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]]Va9 DNIZINDO]]ti

GRACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

to speak of the best news ever with frowning faces?! One doesn't go with the other. So today, we have many spreading the good news as pure information lacking the joyofsalvation.Thesechristianbelieversdon'tbringlifeto their listeners, and yet they wonder why they've not been accepted by others. Therefore, let's take up this challenge and start living what we believe, that way others will see we don't conform to the patterns of this world but live in the joy of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Righteousness and holiness Without understanding righteousness, we won't be able to grow in the holiness to which God has called us. In his letters, the apostle Paul addresses the believers as saints. To him, holiness wasn't an unreachable mystery. He knew well that it is an established position of the believer. The dilemma or his challenge was how to encourage the believers to grow in the manifestation of holiness. Even the apostle Peter sent the same challenging message in one of his letters: ``since it is written, `You shall be holy, for 1 am holy" (1 Peter 1:16) Fear always accompanies sin, but holiness is the best companion to grace. Many are longing to live a holy life, but want to accomplish it according their concept and in their effort and strength. This attitude is due to a lack of understanding of grace. The Law in the Old Testament demanded an animal sacrifice for atonement. This sacrifice was offering only a temporal covering for the sin and only temporal holiness.

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]]VaD DNIZIN90)]ti

GRACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

One thing 1 know for certain: a man deeply convinced in the power of prayer won't force someone else to pray. If we believe in evangelism, we won't ask others or wait on them to do it, we'll go ourselves and herald the best news ever. If we believe in holiness knowing it's a fruit of the Spirit, we won't enforce it on others, rather they will witness it in our own lives.

If 1 can somehow define the reverse state of holiness, then 1 would say it is the absence of the desire to be changed. This means we remain on the same level where holiness had met us through grace, we refuse to get our mind renewed, and therefore we don't mature in our thinking, speaking and acting. We hear and we read how certain things aren't pleasing to God, and yet we keep on living

like that, and then fear enters from the notion that we are sinning. As a result of this fear, many believers distance themselves from the church and other fellow believers. This initiates a process of self-conflict, a battle within our minds that is very difficult to win unless we humble ourselves and ask the Holy Spirit's help.

Justified and holy The process of perfecting or renewal doesn't take place in our spirit, for it is perfect, born out of incorruptible seed, but the part of our being which is subjected to change: our mind. In general, the condition which we call the battle raging in us isn't a battle against demons and evil spirits,

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]JvtiD DNIZINDOJ]d

GRACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

and place your joy in my heart." Is this still relevant for us? Are these the words we should relate to as an expression of worship toward our God? I don't think so! This song written by David was his reaction to the specific situation he was in, facing the consequences of his wrong doings.

Just because it is in the Bible, we cannot take his way of expression to be our foundation for a certain theology about the Holy Spirit. This was an instance in a time when the Holy Spirit wasn't residing in people's hearts the way we enjoy this privilege today.

We ought to be adequate and capable to live in holiness, and righteousness did exactly that -it enabled us for holy life

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to dwell

permanently in the heart of everyone who will believe in Jesus Christ. When he came the whole planet came under his `siege.' This is holiness: when we live in the revelation that we are free to enjoy His presence because he delights in us.

``Now if the ministry of death, carved in

letters on stone, came with such glory that the lsraelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?"(2 Corinthians 3:7, 8)

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]Jvd9 DNIZINDOJ]d

GRACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

in yourself under the influence of their council and wise thoughts.

The spiritually mature believer is aware of the need for humilityandrenewalofthemind.Thiskindofcontinuous discipline of humility will enforce righteousness and holiness as a lifestyle of the believer. And the very expression `the spirit of the mind' shouldn't be odd because we are familiar with the expressions such as: `the spirit of time' or `in the spirit of sport' and etc. It's

a term used to describe the atmosphere of the mindset of a person; thus, we need to be careful whom we allow to influence our life. Without the renewal of our mind, the truth that we are clothed in the new man created by God in true righteousness and holiness would be difficult to accept and take in. The renewal of the mind serves us as a reminder that we are clothed with the new man. This implies letting go of the cultural influences, the old patternsofthinkingthatwehadpreviouslyembracedbut which have shown time and again that they don't yield anyresults.Therenewalofourmindisaprocessthrough which the new man that God created is revealed. No longerarewejust`insomewayslikeJesus'butwebecome exactly as he is in true righteousness and holiness. Who is righteous? Jesus Christ. Who is holy? God. And what does God say? "You shall be holy, for 1 am holy."(1 Peter 1:16) or ``Therefore, you shall be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect."(Matthew 5:48) Renewing our mind is a

wonderfulwaytodelvedeeperintoourunderstandingof righteousness and holiness.

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iáguoJq] Áiu3Ae3q 6qi uo p6it36s suiH sno!ioi8 gq] s! 9q |t3t|| MOU |t3q| OP 9q PinoM ÁtiM .Sno!Aqo st3M ]BqM oi jiesui!H pen!tHqns JeAou ]S!JHD Snsef `ti]Jt33 uo ei!UM

]Jvt]D DNIZINDOJ]d

GRACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

According to Him, things were never intended as we perceive them now. The Word clearly speaks of this: may the things here on earth be as they are in heaven. When 1 look all around me, I realize things aren't as they are designed in heaven. Therefore, I don't identify myself with these worldly structures because 1 have made a decision to see things as they are in heaven. To me, preaching the Gospel is receiving righteousness, love, peace, and rest in Jesus Christ.

``Not willing that any should perish" People around us wait for us to truly live in the revelation of righteousness so we can be a blessing to them. God is the God of righteousness. He desires all to come to salvation and know him. God is the one who is not willing that anyone at all should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Yet some believers in their ignorance have already sent half of the population to hell. We have a wonderful God, the God of righteousness. So, when we see people who are evil and cruel in their ways, let'sstoprushingintojudgmentsagainstthemandaskGod to show us what he has prepared for them. I am not saying

we should tolerate sin, but rather that we must discern God's eternal purpose for their life. This way we will be able to `execute' his righteousness or his justice for those

people.Let'sbecarefulnottojudgeothers!Thetemptation for us believers would be to take a stand saying: "God will

punish them one day." There's not even a trace of justice in

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]JvdD 9NlzlN9o]]a

GRACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

my God as the one who is not willing anyone to perish but all to reach repentance and salvation. I want to know him deeply in this!" This mesmerized me and thought to myself: "Wow! Well said Rebecca! I want to know him as such." This is written in God's word: "But he is patient toward you, not willing any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) Some believers give up on others so quickly, and in the split second of their frustration and impatience, they `write off' others. Jesus, on the other hand, sees people totally differently. He never gives up on them. In this world, everything has its price and value, but Christ's work on the cross is priceless! Christ himself is priceless! Having this in mind as an immovable fact, we'll begin to see people as priceless. Not because it's an idea that's `in' but because of the reality of God's work through ]esus Christ's grace. He died for our trespasses so he can bring us into his kingdom and

present us as righteous before the Father with great joy and 8lory.

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Chapter three

GRACE AND WISDOM ``By wisdom a house is built, and through

understanding it is established." Proverbs 24:3

Weliveinatimeinwhichtheintensityandthespeedofthe events have never been more dramatic. The abundance of informationandeventsisgreaterthaninanyotherperiod in history so far. At the same time, the pressure of making fast and instant decisions is a reality for many people. We can respond to this in two ways: with fear or with faith. We can get intimidated by the circumstances, or we can be assured in a good outcome. Things around us will either intimidate us, or they will open new opportunities for us. We need wise decision-making and judgment as never before. Therefore, I think that wisdom should be visibly present as a pillar and a strong foundation in our lives. I believe that the act of grace reveals to us the power of wisdom in a palpable and real way. In this chapter, I would like to explore the depth and the need for wisdom. First, lets look at the words of the apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 1:7: ``For God did not give us a

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inq `e3ut3iJodu! iEeJsjo S! ]iJids ÁioH 9qijo 9out3P!n8 9u| Pue 83!oA 9qi oi eJue!pgqo `Áiu!t3]i9D .uo!]nios p o] spegi

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uo!inios e o] spe3i e]ue!peqo Áq p5!ueduoJJe iuops!M }eui S! uo!SnpuoJ ÁW

•ii Áiddt3 oi Ápt39i sÁt3Mie

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pue snop3id s! e3!Ape esiM pue `9J!APB 3S!M S! S!HL .t|]Ipj

jo Á]!it3uo!]ei pue i9Mod gui pue 3Aoi u! po]ooi 3q o] `sgop eti i3A9]t3qM ]nq `4!p!ui] jo ]!J!ds 9qi Áq PeDugnuui eq 01 ]ou ui!q sest3inoJue eH .Jt3ej uo P9Spq uo!SP3P Áue 9Ht3u JeA3u oi Áti]ou!L sespJnoJug ined giisode 3qL ,,-eu!idps!p -jigs jo put3 eAoi jo `JeMod jo i!J!ds e inq `Ái!P!u!i jo i!J!ds

]]Va9 9NIZIN90]]a

GRACE AND WISDOM

seen the wonderful outcomes result due to the obedience of a believer to the advice given to him. The very solution or change that occurs in a given situation as a result of the obedience leads us towards gratitude and worship of our Lord Jesus. It is written in the Word of God that the deep worship of God in admiration and awe is the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom is extremely important for us, and therefore it is very difficult for a man to live a fulfilling Christian life without possessing and applying God's wisdom. In the Old Testament, people received wisdom because they asked for it, but the measure of wisdom was distributed only to individuals and only in certain periods, There was only one exception and that was King Solomon who, through a special favor from God, received knowledge and wisdom for his entire reign. In contrast, in the New Testament, people possess God's wisdom because of Christ, who lives in them and because he himself is God's wisdom.

Wisdom builds Without understanding grace, wisdom cannot be fully manifested, because there will be no platform upon which it will be expressed. If we have no understanding of grace in our life, then there will be no good solutions and decisions for us, and our life, instead of going upward, will go downward. Why? Because without understanding grace, we will not understand that God is on our side. And if He is on our side, then He will surely speak to us, He will encourage us and above all, He will guide us into His

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jo PioM 9t|L .]!J!ds Á|OH 6qi Áq u6Ais uoiiJaiip 6tii 6Apq

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©InlBU SH IJ9UeJ ut3J ej!i Jno it3ti] os `sgsodind ]o9ji3d

]Jvti9 9NIZINDOJ]ti

GRACE AND WISDOM

not in itself presume fulfillment of the plan laid out in our life. That is why we need the Holy Spirit to guide us in the understanding of the word of God. The fact is that we will not find all the details in the Bible. For example, such things as who our spouse will be, what career we should choose, what kind of education we should have, these are the details that are of great importance to us, but we do not always see them specified in the Bible. Something similar has been written about Jesus, who did so many miracles, that if all were written down, it would not be possible to record them in all the books in the world. I believe that this is the case so that we can get to know him and have confidence in God sincerely and from the heart, not simply relying on certain biblical principles.

The Holy Spirit, who reveals to us the essence of wisdom, is the One who guides us into certain truths for our lives. He always confirms this and reveals them in us personally so that we can follow them. Perhaps the path on which we should walk is not the path we initially thought would be the correct one or that we ourselves would have chosen, but yet, if it is from the Holy Spirit, it will be the perfect

path for us, In this context, I often think and quote this verse: ``Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." (Prov. 19:21). Not always are our plans bad or destructive. On the contrary, most of us wish and plan useful and dignified things. This is especially obvious from the position of parents, as we surely want and plan beautiful things for our children. Yet, the wisest option is for God's plan to prevail, which is always the best for us. I would like to remind and point

out the fact that very often we are in a hurry and we want

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]JvdD DNIZINDOJ]d

GRACE AND WISDOM

so that we can make wise decisions and formulate right solutions based on love. The love poured into us is our most precious and valuable weapon. Every weapon is either for defense or for an attack. The apostle John very clearly said that ``perfect love casts out fear", (1 John 4:18). In such a situation, love is a weapon for attack, but in another situation, love can protect someone from danger. Whatever the situation, wisdom teaches us the attitude and the way we should use love. In fact, to love is a decision and an attitude of the heart and the mind. Emotions are an accompanying element, but they are not decisive. Correct decision-making and the knowledge of how to most adequately show love flow directly out of wisdoml

``Build yourselves up in your most holy faith"

"But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in

your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit." (Jude 1:20)

While reading and contemplating this verse, I realized that it does not say that building means reading books, as a primary discipline for growth, nor does it mean visiting lectures or sermons. In this context, it does not even say that we should build ourselves up by reading the Bible, but by praying in the Holy Spirit. Some believe that this

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]]Vt]9 DNIZINDO)]a

GRACE AND WISDOM

that we can be strong, not only for our own sake, but also for the sake of others. Even in 1 Corinthians 14:12, where it speaks about prophesying, we see that it serves to build up the church. We see that the man prophesying needs to first build himself up in wisdom in order to be able to serve in building others up in the church.

Gra`ce itself is the basis of our life and everything else originates from it

Grace itself is the basis of our life and everything else originates from it, especially those aspects of spiritual life that we call the gifts. Because of the grace that Jesus christ

brought and through which we are saved, the abundance of gifts is manifested in us and through us, and those gifts can bring the manifestation of God's power and change everywhere and in any circumstance. All manifestations of grace should be normal for us and should be a regular part of our lives. When someone faces a situation that requires healing or a miracle, if that man humbles himself and does not oppose the graceful gifts, then grace will manifest that gift of healing or miracle. Consequently, the same applies to the other gifts that are given, or in other words, that result from grace. This is the principle of all spiritual gifts that are in fact graceful gifts written down in the Word of God. And we call them graceful because they result from grace.

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mj o] 6s!Mun Ái"i si ii .uo!ieJi]!pg pue dn 8uimnq uMo ino 8uiiapuiq s]!idim uieu ati] u9Ho 9ie S9Aiosmo 6M

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])vaD 9NlzlNDo)]a

GRACE AND WISDOM

the possibilities and the enthusiasm brought by the environment, people in the USA do not find it as difficult to believe[ The culture of faith brings to light and creates confidence and a general orientation towards success. The attitude of faith and expectation are on a higher level and people live convinced that there are no obstacles that can stop them. Unfortunately, in some cultures, when someone exceeds the age of fifty, because of the culture of fear, he is almost like a condemned person. The verdict is: ``You are too old; you are not supposed to do that at your age" or ``Your time has passed." Such an attitude almost declares a man useless. Contrary to that, the Holy Spirit

says that between the body and the soul, the body is weak, but the spirit is strong, and if we sow in the Spirit, we will reap in the Spirit. This is a promise and a principle given for everyone who believes, and it always functions. That means that the Spirit will heal the body, he will restore the blood, restore the skin and will give strength to the body throughout our entire life. Regardless of everything, because of that source of strength, we will be ready and equipped with everything to live in vitality and health. The Holy Spirit will guide us into wise decisions about our health and will inspire us for a healthy and long life. Therefore, we, as wise people, put our trust in the Lord

Jesus and we will not let this lie become a part of our lives. Wisdom wants to change the culture around us and the dominant way of thinking so that grace can powerfully act and manifest itself.

There is a spiritual song which says that "in the temple, they all shout glory". The beauty of it is in fact that we can always shout glory in the temple in which the Holy

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]Jvd9 DNIZINDOJ]d

GRACE AND WISDOM

our comfort zone? When we reap fruits that do not bring life and are simply fruits of the body, it will not be the Holy Spirit's fault at all, but the blame is in our wrongly established subordination and the attitude with which we let the body, our flesh, orchestrate our life. As it is written in the Galatians: ``The one who sows to please his sinful

nature, from that nature he will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit he will reap eternal life", (Gal. 6:8).

Certainly, it is wise to maintain a healthy balance in relation to the body and the soul, and we do not have the right to neglect, or even less, to torture our body, because it was created by God. But 1 want to clarift the moment of distinguishing divine and human wisdom. I believe that as spiritual beings, we should approach and judge things in a spiritual way. In addition to our five physical senses, as an equal, yet spiritually superior equivalent, we have five spiritual senses with which we experience and recognize the kingdom of God and everything coming from it. Since God is Spirit, He is first recognized spiritually, and then with the soul and the mind. As it is written in the Letter to the Hebrews: ``But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." (Heb. 5:14. When we live guided by the Spirit, then the promise of the Word of God will inevitably

come into force and that which has been written will be fulfilled: "1 pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting well." (3 John 1:2)

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]JvaD 9NlzlNDo)]a

GRACE AND WISDOM

the driving force that can bring us to certain desirable, but also undesirable, states. In 2 Peter 3:18 we read: ``But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." The original Greek word for knowledge, in fact, indicates experiential knowledge, the knowledge gained first hand. The knowledge that does not come only from something

we have heard or read in books, but from the knowledge of Him. If we truly and personally know ]esus, then we will no longer be the same, and we will not behave and talk in the same way as before. Knowing Jesus Christ brings the reality that guides us into sincere and deep worship and fellowship with Him. Unfortunately, we often meet teachers in churches who want to teach and preach the Word of God, but who have not had any deep spiritual experiences. They possess knowledge, but not that which comes through experience. We can be thrilled by the knowledge that many possess, but deep wisdom must accompany it.

A question may arise if, when we accept the truths that the apostles Paul, Peter, ]ohn or ]ames have written, we should accept them without any objection and put our faith in their statements or if we should expect anything beyond that. Regarding this question, I would say that certainly, I base my faith upon that which they have written. I certainly accept their inspired words as truth, only 1 do not stop there, but at the same time 1 let the Holy Spirit bring me experiences that confirm, explain and prove that truth. I would say that everyday 1 yearn to keep my life based firmly in the truth about the grace

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]]Vti9 DNIZINDO]]a

GRACE AND WISDOM

born of imperishable seed. But then the soul needs to be

perfected in the knowledge of what the spirit possesses. Then, as the state of our soul matures, so will our body grow strong and firm. Now all of the information and knowledge that we need are in our spirit, because the Holy Spirit lives in us. The spirit reveals to us two things, one which 1 would call personal, and the other, general. The personal truth is that all of the things that we need for life and godliness have been given to us, and we can draw on them freely. ``His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." (2 Peter 1:3)

1 wish to see people who are truly guided by the Holy Spirit and live the salvation through the wisdom ofJesus Christ

The Holy Spirit has put in us all the necessary information aboutus,aboutourpersonality,oursoul,abouteverything we need, so that we can express ourselves as unique and creative beings. The other truth that has been put in us is the truth of God's kingdom and heaven. It is a general truth and has already been revealed. Our spirit is like a reservoir created by the Holy Spirit at the moment we are saved. That reservoir is filled and invested all of the information that we, as unique beings, need. Therefore, if we try to copy another Christian, to praise, to behave, to dress or to talk like someone else, then we insult the Holy Spirit and the depth of grace that God's creativity

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GRACE AND WISDOM

be a part of a local church, which is a visible expression of the kingdom, and because of that, we have a spiritual

position in heaven. From this position, that |esus Christ has provided for us and in which he has placed us, there is now a new way of thinking and acting in our lives. Wisdom

gives us an understanding of the position, the function, and the role we possess. For this reason, darkness tries in every way to shake off our position, to weaken our function and reduce our role so that we do not see the task for which we are called. Everything around us, that is not from the Holy Spirit and from the kingdom of God is trying to shake us, or to distract us from that position because that position is of exceptional importance. We are now part of the kingdom of God, therefore part of the Church, and the grace of God opens a door for us to wisely understand these spiritual things.

Wisdom gives us an understanding ofthe position, the function, and the role we possess.

The purpose of wisdom is to direct us toward maturity. TheoriginalwordusedintheNewTestamentformaturity is the same word used for perfection. A perfect man is the one who builds his character and who constantly grows in the maturity to which he was called. We are the product of the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was His intention even before He created the world. And now we have been given the grace to guide us in wisdom, which in turn, guides us in maturity. In the Christian world,

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GRACE AND WISDOM

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or the culmination in our growth in life is to be stable and constant because God is constant and irremovable. God calls us to be like Him. We do not want the short-term and occasional influx of excitement that depends only on our circumstances, but we intend to be constant and stable in Jesus all the days of our life. In this case, the focus is not on whether someone is certain if he is saved or not, but whether he will grow and be constant in that salvation. Whether he will be constant in what he has accepted as a lifestyle so that whatever comes against him, he will not

give up. Let us not be overwhelmed with the short-term expression of enthusiasm, but focus on long-term growth and maintenance of stability. We have been called to live in the stability of the wisdom of Christ.

The wisdom of God and the wisdom of the world The greatest challenge for each of us is to distinguish between the wisdom that this world offers and the wisdom of God.

The philosophers that do not know Jesus constantly ask questions, but the problem is that they have no answer

``We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit

who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit,

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]Jvt]9 9NIZINDOJ]ti

GRACE AND WISDOM

kind of rest and fulfillment. But, the system of this world imposes on him and controls him. He is always in a hurry to get married, to have children, to get a good job, and to retire as soon as possible. Nowadays, there are people that even at the age of eighteen think about retirement. Why? Because they think without the Spirit and without wisdom. They are always somehow in a hurry to achieve success in life. They do not receive that which is from the Spirit of God, and they think that when they reach the age of 65 and retire, then they will be able to enjoy life and rest, They do not understand that at the age of 65, after a hard life, there are great chances that they will end up in a hospital and after a few years they will perish. They have tried in vain to reach retirement which they call a rest, which may actually be their end. Why? Because rest is not the goal, rest is the reason for a productive life. Rest in Jesus Christ is the reason we act in this world. In Him, we are already resting because we exist in His rest. Now every blessing is upon us because we have learned how to trust God. We do not put our trust in the system of this world, but we have already received in our heart the things from above, and with our mind, we already think as citizens of heaven. And when we speak, we speak heavenly things that change things around us, here on Earth. Rest is in Christ.

It is extremely dangerous for us to call upon or to stick to the wisdom of this world. I will repeat once more that it is written in the Word that the wisdom of this world is demonic. There are many so-called truths that seem to be true, but since they do not come from the Spirit of Truth, they remain ``truths," and in fact they are lies. There are

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Á9qi Áiuo ietii „tiinJ]„ e u! eA!i SuEiis!JUD eul0S .ql"] jo llJ!ds 9q| Áq P9Jidsui iou 9JeM Áeqi `poos eq oi pguges ssu!qi 9Soqi qsnoqi ueA9 it3tii S9ziieeJ eH -ui!ti punoiJns

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]Jvt]9 9NIZIN90J]d

GRACE AND WISDOM

A person that wants to function in the kingdom of God and to be useful to the church must learn to function in wisdom. Such a person will rely on the knowledge and on the understanding that come from the Holy Spirit, and his life will not be complicated and confused. Wisdom plays a major role in the decisions we make. To possess wisdom means to clearly see things and know how to act. Wisdom and understanding always go together. What benefit do we have if we have knowledge about everything, but we have no wisdom? In that case, we will not know what to do and how to act. We can have many revelations, but what about the practical aspect that needs to be fulfilled? Each day is a potential day for spiritual awakening in our lives. Each day is an opportunity to receive something new from the Lord because what we know about Him is still limited. If we truly want to know God's heart, then we will decide to take an adventure and to get to know Jesus Christ more and more. It all depends on our decision and need to know the Lord Jesus Christ in a way that we have never known Him before.

We may think that what we know at the moment is the peak and that there is nothing more than that, but the Pharisees thought in the same way. The more we think we know, the more we limit our insight of what God is really like and limit what He wants to show us. If we think that the wisdom we possess or we have tasted is the final truth, then we once again limit God. Wisdom originates from God's nature. All the attributes of God we perceive are the product of His unsearchable depth, and ]esus is God's perfect manifestation.

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]Jvt]D DNIZINDOJ]d

GRACE AND WISDOM

day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.'' (1 John 4:17) In Him, we are alive, complete, preserved and blameless, not only in the spirit and the soul, but also in the body. This promise is for those that believe, and that live by faith and according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. For those that live by the culture and spirit of the time, unfortunately, this promise seems invalid. And indeed, it is up to us to decide how are we going to live. Are we going toliveaccordingtotheopinionsthatthisworldpresentsto us, or according to Christ's truth in the midst of all events and imposed circumstances? I realize that the reality of everyday life is true and present. But, at the same time, I give priority to the truth that lives in me. I am aware of reality, I see when a man suffers, I cannot deny the fact that a man has suffered in his life or that he had a hard time. But, it is my obligation to agree with God's truth (which is completely different from the circumstances), and to

bring that reality to the other person so that he can be free from the lie that God is not good. Often, people that suffer have prejudices, and they picture God as a cruel God who at the moment of suffering wants to teach them a lesson. And demons impatiently lurk and seek that moment in man's soul. Demons look for a moment of doubt in which they can stoke disappointment. And that is why it is most difficult to serve and to give counsel to disappointed people. There are people that are disappointed for years, living in disappointment for even two or three decades. Do you know what scares me most about disappointment? It is that the next thing after it is bitterness. And bitterness is a dangerous condition, because when the bitter man falls, he drags others with him. ``See to it that no one misses

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jo spJOM s!u t||!M |! 9|t3uI|s3Jepun mM eq `H!8 9Jlu t3 p9A!9o9J 9ti j! u9A3 `injgieJ8 ]ou si uosJed E uetiM .injeit3J8 9q iouuEo uosJ3d P9iuioddes!P g ]t3u] MOUH P|nous noÁ •inj9]Ei8 9q JeA9u uBD Á9qi PuP su!qiguos H3t3i SÁeMig Á9qL .8u!u!t3iduoD Áiiut3isuoD eJe gidogd pgiuioddes!G

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pue |qnop S|e3^3J uoPS!M |eu} 3^e!Pq |

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eq 01 |nq `Ueu| dieq Pue ugtii tiiiM eit3!Josse iou pinotis 9M it3tii is388ns ]ou op i .iueuiu!oddesip iieqi q]!M sgiiig guoD9q iou iiiM 9M it3qi os `pgiu!oddt3s!p 9Je ieqi eidoed HIEM |nj9Jt3D 3q Pinotis 9M `9JojoJetiL .iuguiu!oddesip tii!M sJetiio iJeju! ii!M uoSJ9d Siqi |t3H| Su€9u esJ9A S!U| U! e|!]ep„ PJOM eHL (ST:ZT .qeH) ,,.Áut3u gi!j9P Pug giqnoJi 9SneD oi dn SMOJs iooJ J9uiq ou it3u] Pu€ PoD jo eDt3J8 9ti|

]Jvd9 9NIZIN90J]d

GRACE AND WISDOM

believe that wisdom reveals doubt and keeps our heart away from disappointment.

The state of disappointment Once, during a conversation with a friend of mine, I told himthefollowing:``1knowthatdisappointmentexists,but 1 do not believe in it." He said to me: ``Are you aware what you are saying? You contradict yourself." ``Yes", I told him, ``1 know exactly what 1 am talking about, and 1 will explain

to you why." Disappointment is a state in which one does not have the wisdom to invest in the right place. And what is our investment? Trust. Each person decides how, how much and where he will place his trust. In the Word of God, we find strong expressions of this, such as: ``Cursed is the one who trusts in man". This is a serious warning. But despite this, many people unwisely invest and put their trust in systems, governments, political parties, and they inevitably get disappointed. Usually, it is in this kind of condition that things go wrong. At such moments, it is very easy for a person to think that God has punished him because he did not believe enough or something like that] IdonotbelievethatGodgetsinsulted,orthatHepunishes those He loves very much. On the contrary, I believe that

grace will reveal to us when a believer tries to get out of the path of the guidance of the Holy Spirit and will start to rely on his own plans.

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]JvdD DNIZINDOJ]d

GRACE AND WISDOM

the fulfillment of joy, of truth, and of hope stand in our hearts so that we will never be disappointed again. The only thing we need is to believe in the name of Jesus and to trust Him. That is our destiny and that is our wisest decision, because it is written that the righteous man will live by faith. There is nothing else for us than to trust in our wonderful and good Lord Jesus.

Comfiort from disappointment ln my sermons, I often know to point out to the listeners in my church: "It is good that you listen to me, but do not try to put your trust in me. Why? Because 1 will unwillingly and unintentionally disappoint you, but, in fact, it will not be me that disappoints, but your misplaced investment of trust." What we will receive depends on our investment. God cannot be cheated and deceived. Those that sowed in the flesh, will reap according to the flesh, and those that sowed in the spirit, will reap in the spirit.

Comfort is not a feeling; comfort is a condition in which God gives us a way out of the current situation

I must not omit to say that even with the most sincere trust in Christ, we can also trust another believer. Afetr all, we believe that we are brothers and sisters. But a

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]Jvd9 9NIZIN90J]ti

GRACE AND WISDOM

Acts in progress Wisdom is the answer to the problems that arise in the life of a believer or a local church. It is inevitable that conflicts and misunderstandings will arise in the kind of mutual communication and coexistence that exists in a church. This is a reality that we cannot always avoid or circumvent. As we cannot choose our parents, so is with our brothers and sisters in church. Suddenly we become a part of a group of believers that may have known each otherforyearsandhaveacertainwayofcommunication. Moreover, we are exposed to a whole new vocabulary, new songs, and the adaptation to this new environment called church can be quite challenging. The reality is that notallbelieversareonthesameleveloratthesamelevel of growth in their faith. It is doubtless that everyone who believes in the finished workofJesusChristisdeclaredrighteousandholy.``Once

you were alienated from God and were enemies in your mind because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation." (Col. 1:21,22) However, that does not mean that everyone will instantly behave as righteous

people.Veryoftentheacceptanceofthatidentity,andthe veryapplicationoftherighteousness,mayrequirea]ong period of time. Many factors will influence the process of the adaptation and manifestation of one's righteous nature, but yet, the truth that man is made righteous throughtheactofJesusChristremainsunchanged.

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righteousness that has already been given to us through the finished work of Christ.

There is a great power when we know our identity and when our life is governed by wisdom. If we truly grow in our knowledge of Christ, so will His truth grow in us. If we mature in His wisdom and grow in our understanding of grace, then this verse from Psalm 1:3 will be our reality and will be visible for everyone around us: ``He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."

GRACE AND GENEROSITY

Chapterfour

GRACE AND GENEROS]rTY ``The generous soul will be made rich, and he who

waters will also be watered himself'' Proverbs 11:25

Generosity is one of the most exciting topics that we can

ponder or write about. On the other hand, as intriguing and exciting as it can be, it is also one of the most sensitive subjects for both believers and unbelievers. As a concept, generosity challenges our way of thinking but also our practical living. I am convinced that generosity is deeply connected with joy, and they work together hand in hand. They supplement each other and together bring true dynamics to the life of the Christian believer. The apostle Paul emphasizes this in one of his letters: ``Each one must give as he has decided in his

heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)

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GRACE AND GENEROSITY

Chapterfour

GRACE AND GENEROSITY ``The generous soul will be made rich, and he who

waters will also be watered himself'' Proverbs 11:25

Generosity is one of the most exciting topics that we can

ponder or write about. On the other hand, as intriguing and exciting as it can be, it is also one of the most sensitive subjects for both believers and unbelievers. As a concept, generosity challenges our way of thinking but also our practical living. I am convinced that generosity is deeply connected with joy, and they work together hand in hand. They supplement each other and together bring true dynamics to the life of the Christian believer. The apostle Paul emphasizes this in one of his letters: "Each one must give as he has decided in his

heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)

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GRACE AND GENEROSITY

brings in our lives. The best supporting argument is the truth recorded in the letter to Titus: ``For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age." (Titus 2:11-12). The reason 1 quote this verse is because I personally believe God's grace is willing to teach us to be generous. I strongly support the belief that one of the basic expressions of our understanding of grace is generosity. Without understanding that grace is constantly active in our lives, every effort to force ourselves to be generous will exhaust us and end in failure. Many times, I have witnessed the intention to convince somebody to start

giving or to be generous easily turned into manipulation. So, it is absolutely essential to recognize the need for understanding generosity.

Without understanding that grace is constantly active in our lives, every effort to force ourselves to be generous will exhaust us and end in failure

Having said that, I want to mention here one of my favorite verses which gives very clear understanding of the work of the Word in one's life as a turning point in understanding the nature of grace, This is one of the best and the most adequate verses which gives an explanation for this process. It reads:

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GRACE AND GENEROSITY

the lack of survival resources, so naturally the worries for our closest ones and ourselves can overwhelm us. In circumstances like these, the topic of generosity and our attitude toward it may be neglected. The fear that we'll suffer loss if we give and will lack in the future lurks in every person's heart at some point. One doesn't have to be an expert to discern the source of this condition - fear! It's absolutely crucial to limit these attitudes, thoughts and fears by exposing them to the light of the truth so that freedom can overtake our heart. Basically, our deeds reveal the intentions and purposes of our heart. Once we have established the variation of the thoughts in our mind, the process of recognizing, reducing and renewing our thoughts follows. We ought to allow some thoughts to be eliminated for the purpose of the renewal of our mind according to Christ's mind. We have been called to stand firm in the truth and revelation of who God is, being compelled by his consuming reality which he desires to bring in our lives.

Our absolute need for the renewal of the mind and its molding by God's grace and truth will remain constant. This renewal enables new flows of information, removing the old ways of thinking and making room for the new. ``Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind." (Romans 12:2) Reading this we might think that the process of renewal is very difficult. Not so, since this is the work of the Holy Spirit

who deals with the thoughts which are harmful, creating a new space for new revelations. But when a person is not

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or what shall we drink' or `what shall we wear" (Matthew 6:31). Let's not entertain thoughts which used to be part of our old, fallen nature; let's fix our eyes to heaven where we are actually seated. We already have our citizenship in heaven; we have Christ's mind, Christ's ideas, Christ's intentions, and Christ's thoughts. This is why we are different than this world. We can bring change if we allow the Holy Spirit to renew our mind. Again 1 will say, the Gospel is the good news of Christ's grace. He imputed in us His divine nature through which His generosity can be expressed. When ]esus came, He declared He is not

of this world, so the fears of this world mustn't have the last say for us because they aren't part of His nature. Jesus displayed generosity as one of the essential values of God's kingdom. In light of this, we see that the blueprint of a perfect culture is the culture of the Kingdom of heaven. This is the only culture we should accept.

Generosity refreshes Generosity in its nature just confirms the functionality of grace, It cannot be expressed without grace. Jesus was the full expression of the Father's generosity. The Holy Spirit is the perfect Teacher like no other in this world, willing to teach us how to live in this grace and learn to be generous as our heavenly Father is. Being like Christ requires to think as He does. Generosity cannot be expressed without the leadership of the Holy Spirit. 'If we want to be generous, we need His guidance. On the other hand, forcing ourselves to be generous in our strength or out of

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There are so many churches worldwide, and each one is led differently and works differently within the concept of generosity. Some churches will choose not to preach on generosity most probably because they don't understand it well or don't accept it. But as we read in the Word, the body has many organs and some organs are more visible than others; that doesn't mean they have different value. They are equal in value, and even the organs which are considered less honorable are valued the same by God. Churches ought to seek to understand the generosity of God as the Holy Spirit leads and reveals to them. As a church and as individuals, we must come to the core of this generosity. Grace is the key. We have the access we need through the Holy Spirit, not based upon our deeds or capability, but solely by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace and faith We know it's impossible to live a true Christian life without grace and faith. If we have received salvation by

grace through faith, then we continue in the same manner living our new life in Christ. Love, hope, gifts, and the fruits of the Spirit are the inseparable part of our life given by grace, and we live in them through faith. Grace contains the nature of God's generosity. Jesus came full of grace and truth. The state of completeness denotes abundance where nothing's lacking. It's absolute and perfect. Jesus resides in abundance. Everything God does is out of the abundance of his being. When God displays his love, grace and power, he does it without withholding. This is the

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Love, hope, faith and grace are practical 1 have introduced the practice of advising my children about one particular thing. I always say to them: "If you manage to reach the point where you will learn not to be selfish, stingy and greedy, you'll become the most joyful people in the world." Grace is accepted only to be given away. It cannot and should not only remain in us and for us. If we cannot give it further, we aren't generous and Christ-like. Grace has to flow. ``And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, `it is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). I don't believe that

|esus annuls the receiving part. The problem is when what we have received stays only in us and for us. It's all about what do we do with the received blessing. This is the momentum where obedience and its effectiveness play a big role. I am fully aware that what am 1 about to say might sound confusing, and there's a slight chance of being misunderstood, yet 1 will say: none of what we have received is for us. The Word encourages us to ask, but not in a selfish way. When we become aware of the grace in our life, we understand it is the expression of God's generosity which in itself is the initial strength to move forward zealously desiring to become more like the One who saved us and

gave us a new and divine nature. Every effort to live beneath this standard is a great danger for us, because it corrupts our image of who God truly is, and we come under false pretenses for ourselves and others. This is a sure path to disappointment and will create a false foundation for others. Just because we have lowered the standard of

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GRACE AND GENEROSITY

have described it was ``God is love[" And God truly is love. In different seasons in life, we'11 come to know God in different ways. Back in 1995, God became my Savior. But

ever since, it seems I'm in a process of constantly learning how to know Him deeper, to surrender myself again to Him, so He can truly be the Lord of my life. I still desire to know Jesus more as King, so He can reign over everything in my life. But at the same time, I want to know my Jesus as the righteous and generous God. 1 want to know my Jesus as the righteous

and generous God

``If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives

generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him." (]ames 1:5). Although the context of the passage is about wisdom, we need to look at the word gi.ve. The Greek word used here describes a form of generous giving without withholding. It describes the nature of God. Contrary to this image, this is us: often we find ourselves seeing someone in need, and we know right there we have

more than enough to meet their need, but we decide to give only a couple of dollars. And after considering it, we begin to calculate whether we should keep something for ourselves. This is completely opposite to who God is. He gives generously, doesn't withhold, and releases His

generosity in a mighty way. In the context of the passage in the letter of James, God generously gives wisdom. The apostle Paul described this truth like this: ``He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply

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gti] 9st39iou! pue su!Mos ioj pegs moÁ Áid!iinu pug

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GRACE AND GENEROSITY

Jesus, who came full of grace and truth, the Greek word he used for/zj// is also used to describe abundance. So, in light of this, we can conclude that when we understand the abundance of grace in us, we grow simultaneously in progressive generosity. One might mention the story with the widow giving two pennies. ]esus said she was generous because she gave more than others. Why? She gave out of the abundance of her heart, she gave in faith wholeheartedly. Jesus recognized her generosity and exalted this attribute in her.

Grace and generosity are the two truths that will always challenge the human heart] Both deal first with the memories of the fallen nature and further with the progressive renewal of the mind. The memories of our old nature are memories from we were sinners. We all sinned and fell short of His glory, but He found a way to save us. Salvation is when a lost soul comes into the security of God's embrace. The mentioned memories of the old nature bring a state of bondage and fear because now, due to them, we think God has something against us. Again, a reminder! He is not like that at all; He already gave us His nature. The renewal of the mind involves understanding God's grace and is also a vital part in the process of unlearning unselfishness as part of our new nature. Now

grace and generosity work together and complement each other in progression. Thus comes a moment when through the renewed mind, we understand God's will. The more we study the Bible, the more we understand God's generosity and are challenged to deal with our selfishness and start living in His generosity, ready to give.

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GRACE AND GENEROSITY

already received, but the sad part is that sometimes we act as if we haven't.

Decision for generosity Generosity is not always connected only with faith. It's tethered closely to the motives, intentions and ways of doingthings.Wecannotlearnimmediatelyhowtobecome

generous. We must adapt to the conditions of it, because generosity is always in progression. It is a vital part of our maturity which we must pursue. The very act of giving is impressive, but personally to me the thing which is impressive is the decision in one's heart to give. I believe in the act of spontaneous giving prompted by the Spirit, but 1 also see sometimes it can be out of the momentary need which involves a lot of emotions. Certainly, we need to have room in our hearts for these moments, but 1 think that there's nothing more powerful than when we decide in our hearts to submit first and give. The time frame between the decision and its realization is not relevant. What's important is the decision itself. The greatest problem Christian believers have concerning giving is not deciding beforehand how much to give. Instead, they decide on the day when the sacrament of giving is happening. For example: if we decide this month to give more than we gave previously, I am sure God `notices' this decision and will bless us with something we didn't have before, because He respects our decision. In that way, when the day of generosity and offerings comes,

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GRACE AND GENEROSITY

beginning of things. He initiates, starts, and helps us to take a step of faith.

Giving and generosity are two principles which are intertwined and indicate our maturity.

Our mind won't always find the leadership of the Holy Spirit logical. This is pointed out well in the following verses: ``Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12). In the original text, the word used for `fight' is cigo/i, which is the root of the word cigo7ij7. When we hear this word usually we give negative connotation to it because it describes suffering caused by outward pressure or our wrong choices. Yes, the word crgony denotes fight and suffering, but the context

provides insight because the reason for the suffering isn't our helplessness, but rather the things that are ahead of us seen through the eyes of faith. This is good agony. It's not of dying, but it's an agony from the pressure we feel because we think things are good and the Holy Spirit assures us there's something better. It is an agony between good and the best. The apostle Paul encourages Timothy to fight the good fight of faith, because it is faith that sees the end result of that fight - our victory. Let's trust the Lord when he beckons us and asks us to give in a way that we are not accustomed to because it's outside our mindset.

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GRACE AND GENEROSITY

at the apostles' feet. This is an interesting image. A man who does a grand deed, yet does it in such humility and with a truly pure motive. In his heart, Barnabas decided to be generous. And in the next chapter of Acts ,we read about Ananias and Sapphira who also sold their field and

planned to perform the same act of generosityL There are many commentaries concerning this particular passage offering insight about what really happened. Some say they weren't Christians, but desired to be saved, others say they weren't sure yet, and so forth. And some of these theories have traces of truth, perhaps these two wanted to inspect what was really going on, the Bible doesn't offer specifics about their motive. I honestly believe that they were inspired by the deeds of other Christian believers. Perhaps they had a dream or heard the Holy Spirit or someone prophesied to them. Something definitely happened that truly inspired them to do this, but as they were on their way, calculating and recalculating, they came to a point of altering their original decision. Probably as they were reminded of Barnabas' deed, they thought that because he sold the field and gave the money away, the church now has more than enough money. They assured themselves that they still did a good deed because they planned to give the bigger amount of their money to

the church anyway, so the rest they felt free to keep for themselves, for `a rainy day,' as some people say. Although it may sound funny, it is quite a serious matter. This is the key moment: recalculation preoccupies our thoughts. Many Christians today go through this very thing.

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the starting expression of our gratitude which reflects our understanding of the work of Jesus in our life[

Generosity doesn't offer excuses Giving is just our initial reaction to ]esus' work. We understand that Jesus gave himself up for us, so that we can surrender ourselves to him. He took the first step. "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness..." (2 Peter 1:3)

Now we don't have any excuse, saying we lack something or we don't have enough for our Christian life and so must reserve something for ourselves. The excuse is always in our mind, but never in the reality of the cross. The cross is the complete expression of God's finished work without any blemish.

The excuse is always in our mind, but never in the reality of the cross.

As 1 said it earlier, giving is just the initial expression. Generosity takes hold of this momentum in our life so that can bring freedom from fear. If love is the solution against fear so is generosity. If one learns to be generous,

he won't be fearful and afraid of anything. When we learn to give everything, surrender everything, all we are left with is the grace and our trust in the Lord, because we are

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Piinq 9M inq `iji8 e Se S9uioo tiiit3d .uiiq isnJI Oi 66ij Ái"1

]Jvt]9 DNIZINDOJ]d

GRACE AND GENEROSITY

In the Old Testament, when the people gave, they gave it to the Levites who strictly were in charge of the Tabernacle and later on of God's temple. As it's written in the book of the prophet Malachi: "Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, `How have we robbed you?' In

your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if 1 will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need." (Malachi 3:8-10).

When God speaks in his Word about people who stole from him, he addresses the specific issue of when people refused to give to the priests, who lived only by what was

given to them in the Tabernacle. Levites were the only tribe which had no other occupation than serving in the temple ofGod,andtheironlysourceoflivelihoodwastheofferings from the other tribes. Therefore, no matter how much we try to sidestep the concepts that God has established, the results will be futile, because we are misusing the Bible just so we can find a shortcut. Even tithing "to God" can be an expression of a misdirected motive conceived in fear. We can begin at 10°/o, but this should merely be the

starting point for a greater revelation of the depth of the principle of generosity expressed through giving. As we grow in our depth and understanding of the greatness of Jesus' work, we will realize we cannot be indifferent to generosity. I believe that this revelation about God's generosity is a crucial moment of our growth in maturity

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]JvtiD DNIZINDOJ]ti

GRACE AND GENEROSITY

4. We give because we begin to believe in its truth.

Now we have the faith that what is written in the Bible is true.

5. We give because we WANT to give. I have been to services where people were running to give. 6. We give because we LOVE to give. There's a slight

difference between wanting and loving. Wanting is the starting point; loving is the final point. We love because God loved us first and gave his Son for us. God could have only said, `1 love them,'

but that is not the final form. We want or like cars, movies, pancakes...etc. But we cannot love something which is dead. We ought to love only what possesses life. Now we love to give because we love whom God loves. Love is the expression of our understanding of how God loves people, and we begin to love them...God is generous, so we become generous.

7. At this stage, we become generous (we surpass the stage of giving), because we understand it is His will. We decide on purpose to be generous, and we cross over from giving to generosity. 8. We are generous because we want to giveL We don't withhold anything. We are aware that a still water becomes a swamp. And we don't want

to be like that, but rather we desire for what we have to flow. What we received from God, we are willing to give away. We understand that we are

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])VdD DNIZINDO]]a

GRACE AND GENEROSITY

when it's in the Bible? Each month, when 1 get my income, I put aside the money for the monthly costs, and what 1 am left with is exactly 10°/o. So how can 1 give more than a tithe?" Yes, I don't deny the monetary situation, yet, above that current financial reality is the heavenly reality which is not visible to the physical eyes but is available for those who take a step of faith. And this is relevant for anyone who thinks like this. If we state our case before the Lord andhonestlysaytohim:``Lord,youknowmysituation.You see the money and the bills. But because of your promises,

your character and your generosity which 1 want to taste, live and apply in my every day; this month 1 want to give 11°/o." I am convinced that at the end of the month (in the most unimaginative way), we will have enough for the bills and for the 11°/o. If we do this gradually, and with the right motive, I am sure God won't remain `in debt` to us. So let's be encouraged to not be normal givers.

Generosity is the visible quality of those who know the Lord Jesus and live in him

Generosity is the visible quality of those who know the Lord Jesus and live in him. But as long as we think we are sacrificing a great deal, we are actually bound by self-pity and an entitled mentality, which basically is pride. As long as we have this mindset that we are doing something for God, and now it's quid pro quo time, God will turn his `deaf ear' and won't answer. Merit is excluded, because

we can never outgive God. I am not talking about money

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]Jvd9 9NIZIN90J]d

GRACE AND RESPONSIBILITY

Chapter Five

GRACE AND RESPONSIBILITY ``For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say `No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age..." (Titus 2..11,12)

I would like to start this last chapter by referring to a criticism that 1 have often heard. It is a remark, most often expressed sarcastically, that preaching about grace leads people to a state of lukewarm indifference, and that it will lead them to the conclusion that it is all right to live in sin. Honestly, I am surprised by these false interpretations and misunderstandings of grace. You know, God's plan to save us by grace was not our idea, nor can we change the words of the Gospel where it says that Jesus was ``full of grace and truth," Nor can we ignore the abundance of verses that speak about grace. In fact, by reading and studying the Bible, we will see that grace is present in each of its pages.

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]Jvd9 9NIZIN90J]ti

GRACE AND RESPONSIBILITY

longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of you mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Rom.12:2).

Salvation is a privilege lt is good for us to understand that what we think about certain matters is not so important, but whether we believe in what the Holy Spirit does, points to, or says.

After we believed in our Savior Jesus, we experienced the reality of salvation. Salvation is a privilege. A privilege that stands as a helping hand for deliverance and salvation for every human soul. Then, by reading the Word of God, we understand that we are also seated at the right side of God the Father, as it is written in the Letter to the Ephesians: ``And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus." (Eph. 2:6). And now, this position enables us to receive all the promises of God that we couldn't have obtained in any other way. ``His divine power has given us everything we need for life and

godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." (2 Peter 1:3) The greatest privilege is precisely this unique and irreplaceable position, because God is the One that has given it to us, and He is the One that has called us and wants to fulfill His

purpose for us and through us. While thinking about and exploring the word privilege, I found the following definition: privilege is a right or

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]Jvd9 DNlzlNDo]]a

GRACE AND RESPONSIBILITY

God. Our goal, as believers, should not be to exclude

ourselves from the world or to escape from the reality of the circumstances around us, but we must realize that we truly need Lord Jesus in everything. Any decision contrary to the decision to grow in our understanding of ]esus will inevitably lead us into false decisions and conclusions. The decision to occupy ourselves with the vain standards of this world will very easily and almost insensibly have an even greater impact upon our lives. And then, as a reverse effect, instead of having a lifestyle filled with the manifestation of God's kingdom and Christlikeness, our lifestyle will be filled with vain transient things. Slowly,

compliance with the patterns and ways of this world will occupy parts of our way of valuing life. And under such an unhealthy influence, the consequences can be defeating to the extent that one can call himself a Christian, but not truly know our Savior Jesus. To know Christ means to think about Him, to talk about Him, to sing of Him, and to understand His heart. Otherwise, even though Christ truly lives in us, it will seem as if we do not know Him and as if He is not present in our lives at all.

Much entrusted Whenever 1 think of the abundance of information and knowledge, all that the Holy Spirit has revealed to me, I am convinced that there is a reason for it. It is clear that the more 1 know, the greater my responsibility is. The more we know, the greater our responsibility is to make wise decisions about what we are going to do with the

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]Jvd9 DNIZINDOJ]d

GRACE AND RESPONSIBILITY

explore God's depths in order to live them and thus praise Him with our lives.

Knowing the Holy Spirit ln this section 1 would like to explain the moment where we come to an understanding of the responsibility we have. Responsibility intensifies our life in such a way that makes it an adventure. I would say that our responsibility is to get to know the Holy Spirit. For us, who call ourselves Christians, there is no a greater adventure than getting to knowtheHolyspirit.TheHolyspiritisthemostwonderful and unique person that exists and that can best and most precisely reveal ]esus Christ to us. It is a great privilege that we can get to know and experience the presence of the Holy Spirit, especially when we are gathered in church to praise and worship together.

The Holy Spirit is the most wonderful and unique person that exists and that can best and most precisely reveal Jesus Christ to us

If we claim to be newborn Christians, then we must be born of someone. The Pharisee Nicodemus, mentioned in the third chapter of the Gospel of ]ohn, was confronted with this very truth in his encounter with Jesus. We all know this important conversation between Jesus and the Pharisee Nicodemus, who was challenged to go beyond all

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])Vt]D DNIZINDO]]a

GRACE AND RESPONSIBILITY

The Holy Spirit lives in us Nowadays, many books are written about how to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, and we do not realize that this should be something natural and simple. The Spirit lives in us, and it is natural for us to listen to Him. However, beyond that, we can even know Him and know what pleases Him. Here is a simple example to illustrates. My

wife Rebecka, after being married to me for many years, knows me very well. And in that knowledge, for example, she knows what my attitude toward food is, i.e. she knows what food l enjoy, and what food l cannot stand. Therefore, when she cooks, she never cooks me food 1 don't like. Why? Because she knows exactly what 1 really enjoy and what 1 don't want to eat. In a similar manner, we Christians, often do things, which deep inside, we are well aware the Holy Spirit does not like. Let us stop doing things that do not please the Holy Spirit!

Let us stop being afraid of Psalm 51, where David prays to God not the take away the Holy Spirit, and let us approach Him with love and confidence. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit did not dwell in people but only came upon them with an inspiration and anointing. But, because of Christ, now the Holy Spirit lives in us. "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God..." (1 Cor. 6:19)

It should be clear to all of us that God will not take away the Spirit because He has promised us that He will stay with us until the end of the world. ``Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or

persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

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]]Va9 DNIZINDO]]d

GRACE AND RESPONSIBILITY

And if we are not able to notice them and recognize them spiritually, those thoughts will remain there and take root. And if they do, they will gain strength with the course of timeandwillstarttomoveustoactinnew,unrecognizable ways because we have deviated from our convictions. Earlier, I explained of the fact that the highest form of intimacy with the Holy Spirit is not only to listen to His voice but to know what pleases Him. However 1 wish that allofuscouldgetusedtohearingtheHolyspiritpurelyand clearly. In fact, I am sure we can, only very often, we do not recognize itL The highest form of intimacy is to recognize the emotions and feelings of the Holy Spirit because he is a person. If He is a person, He brings joy and can rejoice. Did you know that the joy described as the joy of the Lord is now in the Holy Spirit? "For the kingdom of God is not a

matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Rom 14:17) That joy is in the Holy Spirit now, so if we do not know Him, how shall we

know the joy that is in Him?

Knowing the Holy Spirit leads to a deeper knowledge of Jesus Someone might ask: ``Why should we get to know the Holy Spirit? Haven't we been told that we should grow in our knowledge of ]esus?" You know why? Because the Holy Spirit is the One who will teach us more and will reveal

]esus to us. Even the best teacher, apostle or prophet cannot hold a candle to the Holy Spirit, who knows Jesus because He is part of the Trinity. I believe that the

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]]Vt]D 9NIZINDO]]a

GRACE AND RESPONSIBILITY

Christ, the secret hidden for centuries, came to be revealed, and the apostles testified that they had seen Him, heard Him and touched Him. Christ is no longer a secret for us but a close friend. And the Holy Spirit can reveal to us what Jesus is really like. Sometimes the facts of history are not enough, but we also need intimacy with the Holy Spirit so that He can reveal to us who Christ is, what is He like, and what He has done for us. And Christ, in turn, leads us into the secrets of God the Father. In fact, He has already brought us there, because He is seated at the right hand of the Father. Jesus reveals to us what the Father is like. There is a perfect humility in the Trinity. In a vision, I had the opportunity to taste and experience that harmony of

perfection. I have seen the perfect love among the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. But, the main insight for me was their mutual humility and respect. This humility is the most amazing one and above all understanding. Only the Spirit can reveal this truth to us. The humility that exists between the Holy spirit and ]esus is something very difficult to explain with ordinary words.

The Holy Spirit is with you The Holy Spirit is God - God on earth today. When Jesus lived on earth, those that followed Him obeyed Him and were ready to do anything for Him if there was a need. At that time, God was present on earth through ]esus. But, after |esus ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit, who Jesus said is the same as He is, came. In fact, now He is God on

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]JvdD DNIZINDOJ]U

GRACE AND RESPONSIBILITY

teacher, comforter, guide and friend. I am most impressed by the fact that although He knows me, knowing all my weaknesses,Hepersistentlyandconstantlyhasconfidence in me. Knowing all my future false steps or false decisions, unintentional or not, He persistently believes in me and is persistently here with me. And not only is He constantly here with me, but He is also here for me, He supports me, always guides me, encourages me, speaks to me. Even before 1 experienced salvation, I somehow knew that the Holy Spirit is in me. I felt Him, but 1 could not describe Him. I knew there was something around me. Something

very dear, and yet, very powerful, right there beside me. After 1 experienced salvation, I can truly say that God was with me even before 1 met Him. As it is written: "But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:8) God's

love for each one of us is from eternity, even before we or our parents were born. It is hard to imagine, but the Holy Spirit knew me even in my greatest foolishness, in the most stupid things 1 did, when 1 was mean and bad, and when people called me names so terrible, they aren't fit to print. From today's perspective, everything 1 have done seems terrible to me, but the Holy Spirit has been here with me all the time and has always followed me, finding ways to reach my heart. I had felt that even in my greatest aggression, I had simply been aware of it and had felt that there is someone beside me. I am truly amazed by the patience the Holy Spirit has for people. I believe there truly is a track prepared by the Holy Spirit. Best case scenario. The Holy Spirit is the driver and He

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GRACE AND RESPONSIBILITY

``For as man thinks within himselfi so is he" In the Bible, the word heart is mentioned over eight hundred times. The original Greek word cardia from which the medical expression and the whole medical branch of cardiology are derived, denotes the heart as a physical organ. However, in the Bible, the way in which this word is used never refers to the physical organ, but always speaks of the center of a personality. That is why we say: "For as man thinks within himself, so is he." (Prov. 23:7) The center of our being is our heart. It

is very important that we understand this concept so that we can make a difference and properly understand the way the Holy Spirit deals with us. For me personally, the statement of the apostles about what God has done with our hearts is of crucial importance. This is what they conclude: ``He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith." (Acts 15:9) Also, the following verse not only complements the previous ones but cements God's purpose for our hearts: ``And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (Rom 5:5) The challenge for us is whether Romans 5:5 is something we believe in, because if we do, then we believe in a great truth. We believe that God and His love live in us.

Indeed, the struggle and responsibility we have every day and throughout our life is to be careful what impacts and enters our heart. It is best when the space of the heart is occupied and filled only by the Holy Spirit, because only the Spirit can teach me how to love, the Spirit that has brought God's crgcrpe love in my heart. And there is no one

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GRACE AND RESPONSIBILITY

that leads us into obedience. Remember that at the beginning of this chapter, I emphasized that we have been given a position and a privilege, but that responsibility will help us to stay in them and to act out of them.

This is what responsibility consists of: when

we know how to keep what has been entrusted to us and to wisely manage it.

I have always been fascinated by this statement from Jesus: ``But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is

yet to come." (John l6:13) Jesus christ said the same thing about Himself, that He does nothing without hearing and seeing it first from His Father. If we take an adventure with the Holy Spirit, then we will be witnesses to things that go beyond our understanding. Things that are beyond our imagination, that we have never imagined, or if we have imagined, we have not been bold enough to ask for or desire. The same applies to the direction of the Holy Spirit, because whatever our thoughts may be, the Holy Spirit can lead us in a direction we did not expect. Much of

the thoughts we have are the fruit of our imagination and of the influence we allow to shape us.

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GRACE AND RESPONSIBILITY

When have you last experienced something supernatural? For if we put God only in the sphere of our understanding, then we have failed the test to show that God is God, and that we are humans. God has always wanted to manifest His nature and His power. God wants to act in a supernatural way in our lives, to do things that are above our understanding and beyond our possibilities. To be a Christian means to be in Christ, to be like Christ, and to live for Christ.

Merely reading the Bible and going to church do not make us Christians. To be a Christian means to be so lively and active that people will not be able to understand where

we get those strength and energy to do what we are doing. To be a Christian means to be in Christ, to be like Christ, and to live for Christ. In other words, to be a Christian means to be anointed and equipped to perform the task entrusted to us in the same way that God Himself would do. To me, being a Christian is when your own desires, intentions, and ideas slowly die and Christ begins to live. ``1 am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me

and 1 in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (]ohn 15:5) Without Christ we can do nothing, which means that in Him we can do everything for which He has called us. There are many Christians that would like to do a lot for Christ but to do it without Him. I would say that ten mature men relying on Him and on His strength can do much more for Christ than ten thousand immature men.

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GRACE AND RESPONSIBILITY

faith so that we can endure and live in this world. This high priest does not condemn anyone when they fall and does not say: ``1 knew he would fall," but He understands and sympathizes with each one of us.

By grace 1 am what 1 am The Apostle Paul spoke of grace with humility, but also with admiration, saying: ``For 1 am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God 1 am what 1 am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I

worked harder than all of them-yet not 1, but the grace of God that was with me." (1 Cor.15:9110) The Apostle Paul

in another place gives the radical statement that we have just considered, in which he says that he can do all things through Christ, because he relies on God's grace. Grace gave him strength, and faith moved himL Grace is like a catapult for each one who dares to believe. God's grace enables us and equips us to be what we should be. If we are in Christ (and we are!), then we will lack nothing and we will be able to do all things through Him. The Apostle Paul was aware of his weaknesses, but he recognized the most important part -the act of the Holy Spirit because of

grace. Recognizing our weaknesses is not the end, but the beginning of humility. Therefore we should not be afraid when we recognize them, but we should humble ourselves before God who will use our weakness to manifest and show His strength.

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purpose to grow in our understanding of this wonderful, beautiful and huge grace. We now have the responsibility to recognize grace in our own life, and, at the same time, to recognize it in others. Only in this way we will have true hope and faith and we will not easily give up on those who come our way, those that have not yet met Lord Jesus, but are somehow a part of our environment. We now have the exciting task to recognize our destiny and the destiny or those around us. We now have the joy to rejoices with all believers and stipulate their grace and gifts.

We now have the joy to rejoices with all believers and stipulate their grace and gifts.

LetusbelikeApostlesinGalatians2:9whodidadmittingly acknowledge by recognizing the grace over Paul and Barnabas encouraging them to pursue the calling which was given by God..

James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. (Galatians 2:9)

Itisandhonorablethingtorecognizethegraceinsomeone else life. It is also an honor and privilege to serve to and with the grace given to someone else. Let us be alert and

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poD jo ut3id poos etii ez!usoJ9J oi guii ueAis Áue ig igqos

CONTENTS

RECOGNIZING GRACE

GRACE AND R] GtlTEOUSNESS

GRACE AND WSDOM GRACE AND GENEROslrrY GRACE AND RESPONSIBILITY

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