GRACE OF GOD

Tit 2:11-14
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
(KJV)

The Grace of God brings salvation and then teaches us to remain in that grace as we await rapture.

I am of the belief that Grace saves eternally. Grace forgive our sins past, present and future.

I am also of the belief that Grace sanctifies. That you should not continue in any sin if you are truly saved. Grace will not leave you in sin.

Grace forgives. Grace sanctifies.

So base on this Scripture above which the Holy Spirit has led us to, there are two major contenders for God's grace in our lives.

1. Ungodliness
2. Worldly lusts

We shall take a quick look at the potency of these two adversaries and how God's grace will see us through.

1. Ungodliness is Godlessness.

Specifically, ungodliness is defined as “living one’s everyday life
with little or no thought of God, or of God’s will, or of God’s glory,
or of one’s dependence on God” [1].

Living as though there is no God.

Psa 14:1-3
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works,
there is none that doeth good.
2 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men,
to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy:
there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
(KJV)

It's deep seated in the heart ; an attitude that easily and unconsciously manifest in actions.

Unknown to many believers, the systems of this world are increasingly programming men to think less of God; to de-emphasize God. If you just pay a little attention, you will realise this. No wonder, the Holy Spirit told us to live soberly.

We are sick, we think hospitals. We need jobs, we think government. And I think government in particular seeks to replace God in all human endeavours.

This is why ungodliness increases.

Our pulpits are not exonerated. We preach messages that breed ungodliness. We teach humaninstic philosophies, motivational talks that empower the soul above the spirit. Preachers hold and tell the truth in unrighteousness.

2Ti 2:14-18
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings:for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker:of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
(KJV)

When the word of God is not rightly divided, error sets in and ungodliness is the goal of all doctrinal errors. The serpent came to set man apart from God. That is the goal of all errors.

So ungodliness is a state of denying the existence and relevance of God in our attitudes and actions.

Rom 1:18-19
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
(KJV)

What may be known of God is manifest, but denied.

Rom 1:21-22
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
(KJV)

And the direct result of ungodliness is worldly lusts.

Rom 1:24-25
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
(KJV)

Ungodliness is the root of all sins primary among which is fornication and idolatry.
When you consciously or unconsciously set God aside, you invariably make room for all kinds of inordinate affections.

Rom 1:21-32
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections:for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
(KJV)

Other manifestations of ungodliness.

Jud 1:16
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. (See preceeding verse to deepen understanding)
(KJV)

The current state of Israel is ungodly.

Rom 11:26-27
26 And so all Israel shall be saved:as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
(KJV)   

The current state of the church is ungodly

Jud 1:4
4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
(KJV)

Jud 1:17-19
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
(KJV)

Once ungodliness is turned away, all sins are dealt with.

The grace of God that brings salvation must teach us how to stay godly in an increasingly ungodly world.

Worldly lusts.

The world is knocking constantly on the door of our hearts. A little opening or cracking of the door lets in the world and its lusts.

1Jo 2:15-17
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
(KJV)

In perpetual contest always are worldly lusts and the will of the Father.

Rom 12:2
2 And be not conformed to this world:but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
(KJV)

Worldly lusts vs. Will of God.

The course of this world is lust and majority are on its roller coaster.

Eph 2:2-3
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
(KJV)

Grace produces godliness (divine power; internalised God-consciousness) in us to overcome (the world and it's) lusts.

2Pe 1:2-4
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
(KJV)

So, Grace keeps us from ungodliness and invariably, from worldly lusts.

So, Grace makes us live soberly, righteously and godly according to Titus 2:11-12.

Grace increasingly establishes and sanctifies us so that we become increasingly stabilise and I daresay, infallible.

Read it yourself.

2Pe 1:5-11
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure:for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
(KJV)

"... ye shall never fall". That is daring!

But that is Grace!

That is the working of Grace. When Grace is multiplied in our lives, we grow with trembling to such state.

So, how do we multiply Grace ?

Jude gave us precise apostolic solutions for the endtime challenge of ungodliness.

Jud 1:18-25
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
(KJV)

Watch these very closely, for these are the areas to apply God's grace in these endtimes. Amen.

1. Prayer.

I have 2 friends and myself, making 3.

Seye. Lanre. Deolu.

A testimony in prayers.
Don't joke with your prayer life, please.

Prayer in the New Testament is more than asking God for a need. In the NT, we pray in tongues a lot. We pray the programmes of God to be without even our own awareness.

And when you pray in the Holy Ghost, you unleash the full order and power of God's holiness. Holiness is God's nature.

When you pray in the Holy Ghost, Jude tells us by the Holy Spirit that we are being built up to our MOST HOLY FAITH! That is staggering!

Do not worry about the bastardisation of speaking in tongues, one sure way to stay godly or holy in an ungodly and unholy world, is by constantly praying in the Holy Ghost.

Luk 22:40
40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
(KJV)

Luk 22:46
46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
(KJV)

A Christian should pray at least one hour a day. Not negotiable.

Mat 26:40-41
40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation:the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
(KJV)

Mar 14:37-39
37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? 38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. 39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
(KJV)

Jesus Himself prayed.

Heb 5:7-8
7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
(KJV)

The Lord taught us to pray saying;

Mat 6:13
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
(KJV)

When you pray in the Holy Ghost you smash temptations right on their head.

2. Love of God.

Keep yourself in the love of God. That is one sure way to stay godly ib this ungodly generation.

Jn 15:9
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you:continue ye in my love.
(KJV)

Continue in the love of Christ. How?
By obeying His commandments.

Jn 15:10
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
(KJV)

What is/are His commandment(s)?

Jn 15:12
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
(KJV)

Jn 15:17
17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
(KJV)

1Jo 3:23
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
(KJV)

As you continue in your love for your brethren, you are consciously keeping yourself in the love of God.

1Jo 4:7-8
7 Beloved, let us love one another:for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
(KJV)

1Jo 4:11-12
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
(KJV)

Once the motive is love unfeign, you can hardly find sin in it.

It shall increasingly become difficult to find love as the motive behind men's acts, but it is those who persist in love that will make it.

Mat 24:12-13
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
(KJV)

We all must return to our first love. Loving God and loving the brethren and loving our neighbours and loving our enemies- in that order of importance.

Rev 2:4-5
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
(KJV)

We need God's grace of course, and it's available for us! Teaching us to love, sanctifying us in love by the Holy Ghost.

Rom 5:5-8
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die:yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
(KJV)

With the help of the Holy Ghost, we are able to love like Christ loved us! Amazing Grace!

Eph 3:17-19
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
(KJV)

By His grace, we grow into the love of Christ that passes knowledge and into the fullness of God. Amazing grace indeed!

3. Mercy.

Looking for mercy.

Jud 1:21
... looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
(KJV)

The Holy Spirit taught me about Mercy in a sermon a few days back. See
https://www.evernote.com/shard/s475/nl/84434722/50da8e9c-f220-42a7-8643-5931a7c0687f

But note that the Mercy of God supercedes all spiritual principles. It overturns all judgement. Mercy throws out all judicial evidences against a culprit.

Jam 2:13
13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
(KJV)

In this end time and dispensation of Grace, no one will make it without mercy.

Mat 24:21-22
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved:but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

(KJV)
Mat 24:24
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
(KJV)

See this Scripture too;

Psa 32:1-2
Psalm 32
A Psalm of David, Maschil.
1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no guile.
(KJV)

Jer 31:34
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying,
Know the Lord:for they shall all know me,
from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord:
for I will forgive their iniquity,
and I will remember their sin no more.
(KJV)

By grace, we must keep looking for the mercy of Christ unto eternal life. Till Christ returns, just hinge all your faith on the mercy of God. Never  ever become confident in your own self.

Grace magnifies God's mercy.

Hear from Lot;

Gen 19:19
19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy...
(KJV)

Grace and Mercy produces Peace.

1Ti 1:2
2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith:Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
(KJV)

Tit 1:4
4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith:Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
(KJV)

- Adeolu Olumodeji