Service By Grace

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“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear (Heb. 12:28):”

How marvelously wonderful that we possess a sure and definite destination for any and all effort in the Lord (I Cor. 15:58; Col. 3:23-24; I Pet. 1:3-4).  Please note how in the following verse the Apostle Paul battles with determined aim, goal, manner, and knowledge:

“I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (I Cor. 9:26-27).”

Even so, the lead verse to this section also speaks to the manner by which children of God can acceptably serve Him.  Within the text of the 12th chapter of Hebrews, we learn that all children of God experience divine chastening (Heb. 12:8; Deut. 8:5), and that these experiences can train us in kingdom citizenry (Heb. 12:10-11, Deut. 8:3; Jas. 1:4).  This is another key to Christian growth and development.  Bearing this in mind, we can be encouraged and not allow the entrance of fainting or bitterness in our thinking that could lead to any type of dishonoring attitude (Heb. 12:13-17; I Cor. 10:9).  Negative thought patterns which lean toward inner statements of “I don’t deserve this,” or “why is this happening?” can only serve to frustrate and also hinder further development.  These types of statements are more in line with man’s worldly ways - not from above (Prov. 16:25; Jas. 3:15).  But we are not to conform to this mode of thinking (Rom. 12:2), but be transformed through renovation of our minds.  Because the mindset of the flesh is certainly against God (I Cor. 10:13-14; Rom. 8:7), and requires continued vigilance and attention (as Paul stated) to keep it in subjection (Rom. 8:13-14; I Cor. 10:12).  With a transformed and wise mindset however, we are in a position to have grace to serve God honorably and with strength of character and integrity through the entire development process to achieve proper stages of growth in Him through the Gospel (Rom. 1:16-17).  The Lord wants us to live fully for Him (Deut. 8:2; Mk. 12:30) and He is faithfully preparing us for a wonderfully glorious inheritance now and forever!

“Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (I Cor. 15:58).”    

Be ever encouraged and strong in Him (Eph. 6:10)!  We are strong in the fact that he is faithfully with us and also continually fitting us as kingdom people through every and any life situation or challenge.  Be confident, certain, joyful, and strong in that (Phil. 1:6; Rev. 1:6)!

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