Profound Thoughts About the Grace of God

I was cleaning up my inbox this evening, and found an old email that had some profound thoughts I thought I would share.  They are not specifically scripture references, and as such, cannot be taken as infallible truth.  However, they do have specific precepts and truths in them that are scriptural.

(1) "To get something you've never had, you have to do something you never did."

Think of what the disciples were asked to do.  Leave everything they called home, and even their jobs and livelihoods.  What did Jesus promise?

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” Luke 18:29-30

(2) "When God takes something from your grasp, he's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better."

It's important that we consider the context of our "punishment".  There are problems or circumstances in our lives that we create by our own wrongdoing.  If it is a result of sin, then we must repent, and turn back to God.  It could be, however, a stumbling block or a test placed in front of us that gives us the opportunity to grow closer to God.  This is the context on which I wish to expound.

In this case, the story of Job is an excellent example.  In Job's case, it wasn't God who took everything from him, but Satan.  However, God allowed Job to be put to the test.  Job did not turn from God, though his family, friends, and everything else suggested he should.  Job was rewarded in the end, with so much more than he ever had.

This quote also brings to mind part of a sermon I remember from the past.  Sometimes sin is not just choosing evil over good, but choosing good over best.  God does not want satisfied Christians.  He wants Christians who continuously seek to grow closer to Him, to strive to be more like Him, to be a better witness to the world for Him.  God wants the very best for us, and sometimes He must ask us to give up the "good" things in our lives to achieve what is "better".  Again, just like the disciples' example above.  A career in fishing may be good, but a mission of fishing for men is better.  And their eternal reward for choosing to follow Jesus is greater than than their present reward of being a provider for their families by fishing.

Sometimes, we perceive this as punishment.  However, Jesus has greater plans for us.  He needs to break us to grow closer to Him.  He reassures us that He "has overcome the world" (John 16:33) and we can "do all this through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)

(3) "The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God cannot protect you."

Concerning God's protection:


"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4
Concerning temptation:

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." I Corinthians 10:14