This may appear first or second on this blog but what ever it does it does. Here is Pastor Hoekstra's writing on Grace and then my look at "One GOD." While putting this together I have found that it is lengthy and therefore I will divide it again, into a thirst part.
"Continuing in the Word of His Grace"
"And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith . . . And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace." (Acts 14:21-22; 20:32)
"The LORD desires for us to continue in a growing relationship with Him, continuing to draw more and more upon His Grace: "continue with the Lord . . . continue in the grace of God" (Acts 11:23; 13:43). One vital aspect of this process is to be continuing in the word of His Grace. Each day brings us another opportunity to grow in and experience His Grace.
As Paul and his missionary team passed through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch (in Pisidia), they urged the disciples there to "continue in the faith." "The faith" is often used in the scriptures to refer to the revealed truth of GOD (in which we are to place our faith). Jude wrote in this manner. "I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3). Thus, the word of GOD is "the faith." Consequently, the call to "continue in the faith" is an exhortation to live by abiding in the word of GOD.
Later, when Paul was visiting the church leaders from Ephesus for the last time, he entrusted them unto the care of the LORD and His word. In doing this, he referred to the scriptures as "the word of His Grace." Grace characterizes the word of GOD. Grace permeates the word of GOD. Grace flows from the word of GOD. It is in the scriptures that we learn of GOD's Grace. There we learn of what it is (the LORD's undeserved riches, poured out freely for our justification, sanctification, and glorification). There we learn of our great need for grace (a desperate, comprehensive, continual need). Also, in the word we learn of how we can access it (through humble dependency upon the LORD).
If we are going to continue in grace as the LORD desires, we must continue in the word of His Grace. We will want to read it prayerfully day by day. We will want to study it regularly for increased understanding. We will want to meditate upon it often for growing implications and applications. Above all, we will want to be in the word consistently that we might get to know the Christ of the word. In knowing Him more, His mighty Grace will properly impact our lives."
"I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance . . . receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." (Acts 20:32 and James 1:21)
"Paul's exhortation to followers of Jesus Christ is to "continue in the faith" (Acts 14:22). "The faith" (in which we are to continue) is the word of GOD. Paul later called it "the word of His Grace." Since GOD's word is permeated with His Grace, it is able to do glorious things (wonders) in our lives. For we find out that GOD is indeed the GOD of wonders.
James wrote of "the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." GOD wants to plant His word into the human heart, that the word might bear fruit therein. This is how the LORD begins His work in us: "having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of GOD which lives and abides forever" (1Peter 1:23). By communicating His word to us (through preaching, teaching, witness, or evangelism), GOD sows the incorruptible, eternal seed of "the word of His Grace" in our lives. When we seriously believe Him, the seed of the word germinated in our hearts unto everlasting life. Now, the LORD wants to continue sowing His life-giving seed into our lives that we might grow, mature, and abound in Him and through Him. As in a strong marriage where two individuals become as One.
Our role involves a humble receptivity of His word. "Receive with meekness the implanted word." We are to continually take in the scriptures with a sense of urgent, personal need. Such an attitude would indicate agreement with the words of Jesus. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of GOD" (Matthew 4:4). For it does not return to Him empty or without accomplishing His plan and purpose. We cannot truly continue in grace without regularly partaking of "the word of His Grace." If we humbly take in GOD's word consistently, the Grace of GOD is at work through the word and will demonstrate the transforming power of the Bible: "which is able to save your souls." This delivering work of the scriptures is not limited to justification (that is, saving us from the guilt and condemnation of sin). It also includes sanctification (that is, saving us from the tempting and controlling influence of sin in daily living). Jesus prayed for His followers concerning this sanctifying work of the word of GOD. "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth" (John 17:17). GOD's word is able to make our lives all that He wants them to be: "the word of His Grace, which is able."
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