29/08/2021 - ABUNDANT GRACE

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That he lavished on us, with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1.8

The verse before this one, to be studied now, says that we have redemption through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1.7). This is very strong, because it clarifies, in a broad way, the Christian’s position before God, before the enemy, and before the world. Being redeemed from offenses – sins, errors, and other temptations – we no longer have to be subject to whatever evil comes our way. The riches of His grace have become abundant toward us in all wisdom and understanding.

What are these riches? They are the capabilities of the Lord’s movement toward us. Regardless of the source of adversity, it will be destroyed. It is not good to exclude anything – from the power they have to deliver us from trouble. If God has placed no limits on them, we must not venture to speak against what the Most High states so clearly. He is perfect!

The apostle Paul was used to write on this subject. He proved in himself how powerful these riches are. In the service of Judaism, Paul persecuted the early Christian church and consented to the death of many saints (Acts 26.9-11). After having an encounter with the Savior on the road to Damascus, Paul was freed from that evil burden and became one of the greatest preachers of the Gospel in his day (Acts 9.1-10). Hallelujah!

The abundance of the riches of divine grace amazes us, for it reached the one who was driven by a deadly hatred against Jesus and took pleasure in arresting the Christians of those days and bringing them to summary judgment, as it happened to Stephen. Then the enemy of the Gospel was able to repent and be saved. Today, spiritual battles will also be won with the conversions of opponents.

We cannot turn away from Christ; if we do, we will be used by the demons, who lie in every way in the service of their master. Whoever gives in to the devil will become useless.  But those who do not know Jesus and rise up to persecute the work of God will have their chance to change their lives. It is good not to give in to the enemy. Thus, you won’t interfere with the heavenly plan. The Lord will give us complete victory!

Because God has made the virtues of His grace toward us abundant, we can believe and expect great conversions. However, we must be careful that those who are led to Christ are not immediately used in the ministry, nor abandoned. Without a good structure and root in the Lord, they will be easily deceived by the adversary. By not having structure, the newly converted will be broken.

The riches of the Lord’s grace have become abundant in all wisdom and understanding, so never try to take advantage of opportunities that suddenly arise. Someone who would make a good minister of the Gospel, without being tried and rooted in Christ, can go astray and do the will of the enemy. In this there is no exception, as the Word says: He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil (1 Timothy 3.6). Watch and pray!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares