The Grace that Teaches

Church of Jesus Christ, we are not saved by being a good-enough person. Eph. 2:9

Ephesians 2:9 NASB95

not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

We are not saved by living a pious or religious life. Acts 17:22-23

Acts 17:22–23 NASB95

So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. “For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.

We are not saved by being born into the right kind of family and living the right way. John 1:13

John 1:13 NASB95

who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Believers, we are saved only by God’s grace. Eph. 2:8

Ephesians 2:8 NASB95

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

But our dependency on God’s grace does not stop with salvation. Our dependency on God’s grace continues to transform us for the rest of our lives. 2 Cor. 3:18

2 Corinthians 3:18 NASB95

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Eph. 2:8 clearly states that living the right kind of way does not save us; however, God saving us does enable us to live the right kind of way. Grace also enables us to live righter/increasingly throughout our lives with Him. Rom. 8:29

Romans 8:29 NASB95

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

In his book that some of you are reading through this month, “The Discipline of Grace,” Jerry Bridges wrote on p. 9,

“Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.” - Jerry Bridges

God clearly states from these verses that He alone is the source of our salvation, the designer of our salvation, the giver of our salvation, the maintainer of our salvation, and the promoter of our salvation. It is God’s grace that saves and then continues to transform His people. With these precepts in mind, it can safely be concluded that we are fully dependent, first and foremost and then continually on the Grace of God for our Spiritual QUEST.

1 John 3:2-3 is a clear reminder that it is the act of beholding God’s glory in His Son that transforms the believer fully and finally at the end of life, but also reminds us in v. 3 that it is in this life that we continue to be progressively purified as we fix our hope in Him. So, the grace that directs the transforming glory of God to us produces a final and complete transformation in the future, but also directs a continual and growing transformation throughout our lives, a continuing spiritual progress that should be evident in continual change in how we live. Notice, all of that comes from the power of God’s glory, God’s act of directing it to those He loves, and their act of looking into it for initial, growing, and final spiritual transformation. Let us not forget, as we were already reminded in all of these verses, that access to the power of God’s glory so that we might grow in knowledge and change because if it is initially, continually, and fully dependent upon the Grace of God. It is God’s grace that enables us to access the power of God’s glory to experience spiritual transformation which allows us to walk in a manner that is closer to God.

1 John 3:2–3 NASB95

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

After salvation, God’s directed grace engages humanity through the Holy Spirit’s prompting, to consider and respond to His designed salvation and transformation, revealed in Scripture and evidenced in His people. It is only at that spiritual intersection that humanity, walking the spiritual path of their lives, can cross the road of sin that stands between them and their created purpose, and can through the way they live, fulfill their created purpose. It is only then that God’s people can exercise their reasonable act of worship and honor God’s glory through a transformed life. Rom. 12:1-2

Romans 12:1–2 NASB95

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

So, as we begin, would you permit me to turn to 2 Cor. 3:18 as our first text. You are welcome to join me there if you would like to follow along. First and foremost we are taught from Scripture...

God’s Grace Accesses the Power of God’s Glory

Notice in this first text, an understanding of the impact of God’s glory when the Apostle Paul writes:

2 Corinthians 3:18a (NASB95)

“But we all with unveiled face...”

It is only by God’s grace the veil is removed from you

Whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil that blocks the view of God’s glory in you is taken away, there is no longer a reason to prevent you or anyone from looking into God’s glory and the believer and those around him or her are now enabled by God to look into that glory, as we are reminded in 2 Cor. 3:16 .

2 Corinthians 3:16 NASB95

but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

This access is for all who turn to the Lord. Paul then says in Romans 5:16-17:

Romans 5:16–17 (NASB95)

The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification.

For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

Earlier in 2 Cor. 3, Paul reflects on Moses, one who was chosen of God to look into His glory. Moses was chosen of God to be drawn close to God, but when God called him to be his servant, Moses still made his own choice to follow God. Moses willingly came to God on God’s terms. By grace, not by merit of his own, Moses was given the privilege to look into a portion of God’s glory and it changed him forever; it transformed him. Now, just like Moses, not by any merit of our own, but based only on God’s grace, God also calls us to Himself and now we can look directly into God’s glory, at least in part, like Moses did. Rom. 8:30

Romans 8:30 (NASB95)

and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

Let’s look back at the next part of our text in 2 Corinthians 3:18.

2 Corinthians 3:18b (NASB95)

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord....

It is only by God’s grace that His glory can now be reflected in you

Through His Son Jesus Christ, God has shined His glory upon His people. He has brought His people into the proximity of His glory like He did with Moses, so that they might be exposed to and spiritually reflect His glory. But in love, He has done so in order that they themselves might be able to look into His spiritual mirror and see the evidence of the presence of His glory in and for themselves. This evidence that is seen may not be the full glory of God that will be seen in the future, as John wrote about in 1 John 3:1-3, but it is intended to be an undeniable representation of that glory for the beholders of it, through and in the lives of His people.

Not only can and should others see God’s glory in the way that you live, but in love, God gives you strengthened faith as you see it in yourself. Paul says in 1 Cor. 13:12,

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” - 1 Cor. 13:12

The more clearly and fully one sees the glory of God, the more understanding and motivation of how one ought to live will be realized by the beholder.

Like Moses, in this life God’s glory is only seen in part

No one can expect or be expected to show the full representation of God’s glory in the way they live in this life. In Col. 1:19 and Heb. 1:3, we are reminded that only Christ is the full expression of God’s essence and glory. So, in God’s people, His glory is only seen in part, but...

Like Moses, God’s glory will eventually be seen fully

Moses and Israel did not see God’s glory fully as Moses came down from the mountain, but now in the presence of their Messiah, they do. Since Paul made the parallel in 2 Cor. 3:18, it is reasonable to say that in the same way as Moses did, we do not presently see God’s full glory, but eventually we will…all by God’s grace. As a child of God it is clear that you are able, like Moses, to bear in your life’s actions the revelation (the revealing) of God’s glory.

“The Old and New Ministries” commentary, commenting on 2 Cor. 3, states, ...

2 Corinthians (2) The Old and New Ministries (3:7–18))

“Christians are “able to bear the bold, direct revelation of God’s glory” because the state of their heart has been changed.”

Only through God’s grace can His glory be revealed in and through you.

One last time back to 2 Cor. 3:18

2 Corinthians 3:18 NASB95

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

It is only by God’s grace that His glory transforms you

It can transform you and it will transform you. From looking into the glory of the Lord for salvation, to the reflection of that glory…a close and growing representation in believers of the Lord’s glory can be seen and be more clearly realized through spiritual transformation. God’s glory transforms sin’s tarnish and stain of God’s glory in humanity and restores the luster of that glory in the believer, from what is first seen dimly to what is restored fully, “from glory to glory,” the text tells us. There are two parts to that transformation:

God’s grace gives access to the power of God’s glory which is required for the transformation of the believer in salvation. This is initial transformation.

God’s grace gives access to the power of God’s glory which is required for the transformation of the believer in sanctification. This is continual transformation.

God’s grace transformed you in salvation and is transforming you in spiritual transformation

2 Corinthians (2) The Old and New Ministries (3:7–18)), 474

God is no longer isolated on a faraway mountaintop but may be met in the heart of the believer who turns to the Lord.

It is now through the way believers’ live, that God wants the world to see Him. He wants the world to see that He is not far off, but like Paul says in Athens, as we are told in Acts 17, He is now nearby...

They can and should increasingly see God in You as you are transformed

The commentator continues to point out that...

2 Corinthians ((2) The Old and New Ministries (3:7–18))

We can never encounter God and remain unchanged

Once we are exposed to God’s saving grace as we look into His glory, we cannot help but be changed just like Moses was. Again, that changing does not stop there, but every time we look into His glory we cannot help but change. It is God’s grace that accesses the power of God’s glory that is needed and used by God to transform us. It moves us from His salvation at the start of our spiritual life and continues to transform us to reveal Him in our growing spiritual revealing of Him through how we live. The world wants you to be ashamed of this power of God and the transformed state of your spiritual living, but you do not nor should you be ashamed of living according to and witnessing of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to all who believe. Turn with me to Rom. 1:16-17 as we consider the second thing that God’s grace teaches us.

Rom. 1:16-17

Romans 1:16–17 NASB95

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.”

First, we saw that God’s Grace Accesses the Power of God’s Glory. We are also taught that...

God’s Gospel Implements the Power of God’s Glory by Grace

Do not be ashamed of the power of God’s gospel in you

It is the power of God for salvation for you

It is by the means of the good news, the gospel, that Jesus shed His own blood for you and thereby, paid the penalty for your sin (He took your punishment for you). It is that, that enables you by His prompting (grace) to respond in faith to His message of salvation. The gospel message (designed by God, accomplished by God, and directed by God) is the power of God for salvation…for saving you, for saving me, and for saving anyone.

It is the power of God for salvation for all who believe

No matter who you are, no matter what stage of life, no matter what status of life, no matter your wealth or poverty, no matter how good looking or smart you are or aren’t, for all who are willing to believe, the power of God for salvation is available for you.

But for you who have believed, salvation is not nor ever was meant as the end-all of your spiritual existence. Salvation is meant as the mere starting point of your spiritual QUEST to reveal God’s righteousness in the way that you live. You are meant to live righteous and you are meant to live more righteous as time goes on, all accomplished through a growing and closer walk with God, which is dependent upon His grace; a grace that saved you and is now continually transforming you. The gospel is not just a message and power meant to save, it is a message and power that is meant to progressively transform you so that you might more clearly reveal God’s righteousness in the way you live. When you fail, go back to your salvation, preach the gospel of grace to yourself again, not to get saved again, but to remind you of the source of power to live right in the first place. That source is God.

The Gospel is the power of God to reveal His righteousness

As already mentioned, it reveals God’s righteousness in you through salvation.

It reveals His righteousness in saving faith

But it also reveals God’s righteousness in you through transformation....

It reveals His righteousness in living faith

God’s righteousness is meant to be revealed in you at the point of when you put your faith and trust in God for salvation. However, it does not stop there. God’s righteousness is also meant to be revealed in you through your spiritual transformation: initially, progressively, and finally. As Paul put it in Romans, “from faith to faith.” You have been spiritually created by God through His gospel of Christ who shed His blood for you, to now, “live by faith,”to continue on your QUEST to be spiritually transformed.

Do not be complacent in your spiritual QUEST

You were saved to continue on its purposed path. Jerry Bridges in The Discipline of Grace wrote on p. 112,

“God is not impressed with our worship on Sunday morning at church if we are practicing “cruise-control” obedience the rest of the week.” - Jerry Bridges

God wants your worship that is revealed in the increasingly transformed way that you live all through the week. It is only then that He will also be pleased in your worship on Sunday morning.

Do not be afraid of your spiritual QUEST

You can count on the power of God’s revealed glory by His grace to accomplish transformation in you. It does, however, as for your participation in it. It is a Divine/Human cooperative, God’s grace partnered with your spiritual discipline and commitment. Do not be complacent in your spiritual QUEST, Do not be afraid of your spiritual QUEST, and now...

Do not be ashamed of your spiritual QUEST

Transformation for your good and His glory is why God has saved you and by which He desires to reveal to you and through you His righteousness. So here in Romans, Paul says,

Do not be ashamed of the power of God’s gospel in you. Let God’s righteousness flourish in you through the saving faith His grace has given you and to the transforming-living/transformed-ending faith He has saved you for.

On p. 171 of The Discipline of Grace, Jerry Bridges wrote, “What we are talking about here is not just acquiring more knowledge of biblical truth, but rather the development of Bible-based convictions by which we are to live.”

Let us not just learn knowledge throughout this next year together, but let us develop Bible-based convictions that we commit to live according to, together. Jerry Bridges continued on p. 178-179, “The discipline of developing bible-based convictions, then, should be a response to the mercy and grace of God to us through Christ. If we truly desire to live by grace, then we will want to respond to that grace by seeking to live lives that are pleasing to God. And we simply cannot do that if we do not practice the disciplines necessary to develop Bible-based convictions.”

Join the QUEST through God’s Grace

Would you permit me to turn to one last passage as we bring these thoughts full circle? Turn with me to 1 Pet. 4:10-11

1 Pet. 4:10-11

1 Peter 4:10–11 NASB95

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

So, we are taught that God’s Grace Accesses the Power of God’s Glory, that God’s Gospel Implements the Power of God’s Glory by Grace, and now lastly, that...

God’s People Employ the Power of God’s Glory by Grace

God is the source that accesses His glory’s power, He implements it in us, but He gives us the privileged to employ it. So, my Christian family, I would ask you then to...

Employ God’s gracious power to serve one another

…as this verse says. This cannot be done from your couch at home watching the Live Stream. The value of that is focused on you being served rather than you doing the serving. Its benefit is meant only as a stop-gap in times that you cannot be there in person but falls short of God’s intent for His people and for His church.

Christians, be good stewards of the power God has given you, by employing His grace in serving others. Anything that excludes serving others falls short of the imperative of 1 Peter 4:10-11.

Employ God’s gracious power in how you serve one another

The need to serve is important, but how we serve is equally valuable.

Since it starts with God, speak and serve actively

Be active in serving God and His people

Be active in serving God and the lost

Be active in serving God increasingly and more effectively

Believers, there is no ongoing sanctification, no ongoing spiritual transformation, no closer walk with God without you actively serving Him.

Since it starts with God, speak and serve rightly

As you employ your spiritual gift through spiritual transformation and only as you employ your spiritual gift can you glorify God as He designed you to. There is no sense of purpose or fulfillment short of employing God’s grace in your through serving others. It is what gives your life meaning and gives your heavenly Father glory.

This is the reason why God saved you.

This is the grace that teaches you how to fulfill God’s calling to His spiritual, life-long QUEST.

Your spiritual quest is dependent upon God as its source, who applies it to your life, so that you might employ it in the way that you live and serve, not in your own power, but in His. You can only accomplish all of this “by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Your spiritual QUEST starts with and can only be experienced by and through God’s grace given to you by Him at the moment of salvation and sustained in you by Him throughout your entire life-long spiritual QUEST.

God’s Grace Accesses the Power of God’s Glory

God’s Gospel Implements the Power of God’s Glory by Grace

God’s People Employ the Power of God’s Glory by Grace

Won’t you be part of the QUEST?