Waylon and Willy’s dog quarters are located on the north side of a building. They have an oil heater in their house that serves very well in “normal” Arkansas weather. But with a warped doggie door and the strong northerly wind bringing in extreme cold, the heat was insufficient. With my shop also being too cold for residency, I moved a large kennel into a room in the house and got them through it with cozy warmth. And, they learned two new words – “kennel” and “outside”. That means straight through the house to the kennel inside, and straight outside, with no pee stops along the way. This will be of benefit to them on down the road. They received grace from their master.
Grace is the unlimited life, power, gifts, abilities, and nature of God imparted to us by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is through the perfect righteousness and the finished sacrificial work of Jesus Christ on our behalf, because of His love and mercy toward us. It enables us to do all the will of God on earth here and now, with a victorious spirit of excellence, praise, worship, and thanksgiving unto God. It enables us to overcome all things in order to go and make disciples of all nations. Yes, a long definition, but if you break it down and chew on it bite-by-bite, you will find it is really a good balanced meal. Grace is imparted to us through faith, and in grace the plans, purposes, and provisions of God for our life are continually operating. Grace is the fullness of God operating in our life. Paul’s prayer for the church was that we know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that we might be “filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19).
It is a great salvation to have our sins forgiven through Jesus Christ – but eternal life is only the beginning! Abundant riches of love, life, purpose, power, and healing provisions are made available to us to accomplish the will of God on earth here. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10). Jesus said “My grace is sufficient for thee:” (2 Corinthians 12: 9). This grace operates by faith. “According to your faith, be it unto you” (Matthew 9: 29). The more we can build our faith to a lifestyle of believing, trusting in, relying on, and clinging to God, the more sufficiently grace will be operating in our life. We build our faith by hearing the Word. The more we truly hear the Word, the stronger our faith. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). A New Year: Hear Word, Obey, Receive Grace. Remember Waylon and Willy.