Deacon Hui Zhen - 5 December 2013
Grace And Transformation
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:1-5 NIV) It is by grace we have been saved. More than pardoning of the sins, the greatest grace and favor of God is a contrite spirit giveth us each time we hear the gospel. Grace does not allow one to wallow in their weaknesses, grace propels one to come before God each time she falls, and continuously be transformed by the renewing of mind. Genuine transformation of the inner being come from you deeply knowing the depth of God's grace.
From Series: "Topical Messages"
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Sufferings in the Presence of Divine Relationship
What really torments a Christian during sufferings? There are countless answers to this question. Yet, the most direct and underlying reason behind this torment is a Christian’s “sense of abandonment”. It simply feels like, “NO ONE is on my side anymore. No one can understand or can help me. Even God has forsaken me because of my sins and mistakes. I am left alone to face the frightening consequences.” Truly, when we accept such deceptive voices into our spirit, every twinge of pain seems punitive and endless. We will try to make sense of everything except the love of God.
In the Bible, even the blameless Job could not make any sense of his sufferings. Therefore, God, in one of His greatest revelations, has given us <Romans 8>. This glorious chapter in the Bible seeks to address the sense of abandonment that children of God may experience during pain and sufferings. So yield your mind not to what you feel, but to the truth especially such times.
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