Bible studies for January 2003

 Study 2: GRACE FOR VICTORIOUS LIVING

John 8:1-11
 

God never gives up on anybody. This adulterous woman, nameless in the scriptures, had been written off by men. She was a mere chaff on their scale of morals and etiquette, yet Christ received her. Her accusers acknowledged their sinfulness by their departure but refused Christ’s offer of salvation, the woman went away justified. No man is too good to be above Christ’s salvation and no man is too bad to be beyond redemption. Whatever might have been our past, Christ is willing to forgive us, give us a new life (not a new leaf!) and empower us with grace to “Go and sin no more” like this woman.
 

GUILT OF THE REBELLIOUS SINNER
Romans 3:9,10, 23; Isaiah 64:6; Acts 10:1-6; 2 Chronicles 6:36; Ecclesiastes 7:20

Morality is good but the best of moral men still fall short of God’s requirement. We never can please God by our self-determination and energy of the flesh. We all stand condemned before God. Every man is guilty as this adulterous woman. Hers was flagrant and open. Ours may be secret. But they shall surely find us out on judgement day (Numbers 32:23). Have you acknowledged your sinfulness (Psalm 51:3, 5)?

GRACE FOR THE REPENTANT SINNER
Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:8,9; Luke 18:9-14; 15:21-24; John 9:40,41; Ephesians 2:1-9

Repentance is acknowledging our sinfulness and turning away from them. Repentance is essential to salvation but not sufficient. Beyond repentance, we must ask for forgiveness and accept by faith Christ’s offer of redemption (John 6:37; 10:9). When we come in simplicity of faith, we will hear the Master’s “Go” - set free from sin to serve the living God (1 Thessalonians 1:9; Romans 6:1,2,15).


GRACE FOR THE RECEPTIVE SAINT
1 John 2:1; 3:8,9; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 2:10; Matthew 5:48,6,8; Romans 6:11-18; Colossians 3:8-25

Where sin abounds, there is a much more abundant grace for victorious living (Romans 5:20). There is grace to live above the daily grind. Don’t linger for a lifetime around the doorposts of basic christianity, enter into the many-faceted rooms of God’s rich and matchless grace. Make not the slightest compromise with the smallest sin. Aim at nothing less than to walk with God all day long. Christ’s perfect will for all of us is “Go and sin no more”. He who gave the command will also supply the grace and enablement to fulfill it. His commandments are not grievous (1 John 5:3). Receive His grace today and live in victory.




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