Sunday, January 10, 2010

Kingdom of God & His Gift of Grace

Eph 3: 2-13.".. administration of God's grace that was given to me for you".
The word administration also translates as stewardship, being a trustee for something that doesn't naturally belong to us. God gives us the gift of grace for others.

The Jews thought that this grace was for themselves alone, and was their undoing.
In Romans 9:5
Theirs is the adoption as sons;
theirs the divine glory,
the covenants,
the receiving of the law,
the temple worship and
the promises.

Paul was to tell them that the grace was for all nations.YHWH's plan in Gen 12 and 15 was about all nations, all peoples not just the Israelites.

Here we see more of what God had in mind. YHWH's type of government is one of grace, the currency is the flow of love Romans 5:5. This is the economics of the Kingdom of God.

The Jews took Grace for granted and thought it was exclusively theirs.

Romans 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

In Matt 5:22 sober judgement is seen in how we should treat one another.
22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,[hold in contempt]' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

Our opinion of each other should be one of promoting reconciliation and keeping the unity of the spirit in the bond of Peace. Later in Matt 5 we are cautioned about leaving our gifts at the altar if we know someone has something against us. in Proverbs 6 we are minded that....
16 There are six things the LORD hates,seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes,a lying tongue,hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

The Prince of Peace expects that his rule in righteousness result in peace.
Isaiah 32: 17 The fruit of righteousness will be peace;the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.