GRACE LEAVES NO ROOM FOR BOASTING

By Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi
Rom 4:2-3KJV " For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness."

Luke 10:25-37 "…You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live. But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?....."
        Salvation  is not by any self-effort or performance of any religious ritual .Prophet Abraham did not belong to any religious group before he was declared righteous by God.There was no room to boast about how  many times he prayed, went for pilgrimage, gave an offering etc before he was justified by God.It was by faith only. The Old Testament scriptures of Isaiah1;24-27,Deut 9:4-6 says it is  strictly God's prerogative. The New testament corroborates this in Matt26:26 and in Eph2:8 that it is by grace that we are saved. The Greek word ‘Charis’ defines grace as : the state of being acceptable to and favoured by God .It is a divine influence impressed upon the heart of the recipient ; an empowerment to excel and be distinguished .
       Most people out of pride and the desire to impress others resist the truth of justification by faith and the grace of God and have exposed themselves to emotional traumas and satanic manipulations. They love titles and public recognition like the lawyer in (Luke10:28) and his mundane and inconsequential “acts of righteousness “ . He was self- centered, putting himself before God and his fellow man.  His definition of neighbour did not go beyond close friends , religious congregation and those who treated him well .
       Such persons are insincere , incoherent and evasive in discussions regarding their relationship with God and fellow humans in a bid to shun responsibilities. They seek to be justified in the sight of God through their actions and are hard to please . This lawyer would rather be justified by works instead of by the free gift of grace so that he could have something to boast about. 
       The life of self-righteousness is full of excuses and can not lead to a positive spiritual growth and submission to God’s will. It is full of fears and the inability to identify true love ;the lawyer in Luke 10:28  had no clue of who Jesus Christ was because he could not see beyond his religious goggles.  
       We must have faith in the truth that it takes one sin in a person to be a sinner likewise one act of righteousness by grace can make a man righteous like faithful Abraham.It is like being rescued from drowning , we simply depend on the rescuer for salvation.  God is not interested in man's attempts at making himself right before God through oblations outside  grace (Isaiah1:13). Faith demands that we totally rely on God and with respect to our salvation we must have faith in God’s grace through Jesus Christ. Grace is not enough without faith just as the sun is incomplete without sun-rays. It is through faith we accept God's free gift of salvation, which was provided by grace.
Prayer : Heavenly Father forgive me of  my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive him as lord and saviour and receive grace for unlimited supply of provisions in Jesus name.
Free counseling ,prayer  +234 8035536911, +234 8098536911email: michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com    
pics credit pixabay 

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