Only by Grace!

Only by Grace!

The expression “Only by grace” is used extensively among believers, as well as “Everything is by grace.” What people mean by these expressions can vary widely.

The usual understanding is that we are sinners and will remain sinners, and if we believe in Jesus’ death for us, we will obtain the glory of heaven through pure grace when we die.

They do not believe that Jesus is doing a work in and through us so we will be worthy to go with Him in white garments. Rev. 3:4. They think that if it were so, then it would not be grace.

This faith and this attitude are false through and through. No one comes to an overcoming life except by grace, for it is grace that chastens us to live soberly, righteously, and God-fearing in the present world. Tit. 2:11-12. Therefore the person who attains to such a life attains to it only by grace, and not in his own strength. He can truly say, “Everything is by grace.” For the others, grace is in vain.

When Abraham and Sarah received Isaac, they could say, “Only by grace.” If they had received him earlier, while they still had hope, naturally speaking, God would not have been glorified; however, God does not give His glory to another.

This also applies to those who are to partake of an overcoming life. They must be broken down first so they become unprofitable in their own eyes. Most people have no understanding of this period of being broken down; instead they lose courage and give up. Abraham did not grow weak in faith when he considered his own and Sarah’s impotence. Rom. 4:19. He knew that the glory belonged to God; therefore it had to go this way.

When a person loses courage during this time of being broken down, he does not solely believe in God, but he believes in God’s and his own strength. Then God will not let it succeed, for then it is not all grace. If it is all grace, then it is also all victory. For where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. Rom. 5:20. “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” Rom. 6:14.

When a person sins, he is strong in himself. He demands and he insists. Then he is not under grace, but under the law. In this case, God has to break him down first so he becomes weak. Then the power of Christ can dwell in him. “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor. 12:9-10. Afterward, grace can gain power over us. Grace and sin cannot have power over us at the same time, for grace is much stronger than sin.

Paul had become so broken that the power of Christ could dwell in him, and Christ could receive all the glory. Paul knew when he had labored more than all the others that it was “all of grace.” 1 Cor. 15:10. When Paul had fought the good fight, finished the course, kept the faith, and was waiting for the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, would give him, he knew that it was all “only by grace.” 2 Tim. 4:7-8. Christ was always glorified in his body, whether by life or by death. Phil. 1:20.

It is this true grace that makes us worthy of walking with Jesus in white garments. May many people in these days be cleansed and set free from false grace, which defrauds them of this glorious overcoming life. Jude 3-4.