The Great Partnership Between Faith and Grace
There is a paradigm shift going on in the church world today
that we believe we are on the cutting edge of. In other words, I believe we
have an opportunity to truly make and shape history by affecting the mindset of
the church in a profound and powerful way. Now there is a danger that comes
with such radical pursuits. Most history makers were persecuted and condemned
in their own generation. Their message was often not understood until future
generations recognized it and experienced it’s transformative impact upon them.
We know very well the verse that says, “As
a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” This also applies to the church – “As the church thinks in it’s heart, so are
they!”
We have to become a uniquely minded people set apart from
the world and even set apart from a carnally minded, theologically flawed
church.
We are taught clearly from the book of Ephesians what the
church is and how it should function in the earth. In Ephesians chapter two, God
has promised grace and reconciliation through faith as a ministry to the earth.
But these concepts are too often misunderstood and therefore misapplied,
especially the concept of faith.
It has been my aim to properly communicate and teach that faith is a response to God’s call while
grace is the Holy Spirit working us into the spiritual shape we are to take.
It is this grace that shapes and
fashions us not only individually but corporately to become more than just a
moral individual but a powerful body of believers. Why? Because God has
promised a divine connection with Him that we might in turn shape and fashion
the world around us for now and eternity, not with our faith but with His grace!
Faith is coming
into agreement with our minds and into alignment with our hearts with God’s
ways. It is comparable to prayer. Proper prayer is not asking for whatever you
want. It is about praying for what God wants. When you do this, you can be
assured of answered prayer. Faith is the same. True divine faith is agreement with
and the alignment of our hearts and minds with God’s will and plan for our
lives. So for a Christian, it is not about having more faith, it is about
having a properly directed heart and mind toward God’s plans and purposes. Your
faith doesn’t change things. It simply moves you or positions you in God for a
clear perspective of what needs to happen.
Abraham is known
for his faith. The Scriptures say that his faith was accounted for him as
righteousness. Why? Abraham aligned his heart and mind with the will of God
even if he didn’t understand God’s will. God told Abraham to sacrifice his only
son Isaac. Though Abraham did not understand this intellectually, his faith in
God positioned him in obedience and he followed through believing that God had
a plan. Whether God spared Isaac or not, Abraham was in agreement and alignment
with God at every level and he would have lived in victory no matter the
outcome. This is what provides a power beyond our human ability.
Abraham’s faith
didn’t change God’s mind at the last minute causing Isaac’s life to be spared.
God already knew Abraham’s heart and what he would do. Abraham’s faith was for
Abraham. It was to prove to Abraham that his heart and mind were completely in
agreement and alignment with God’s word and that whatever the outcome, he was
faithful to God. Faith didn’t get Abraham out of that situation. It got him
into it. The grace of God delivered him out while in the midst of his faith.
Therefore, God is the only one who can take credit for any and all outcomes!
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