"Through whom we have also have access by faith into the Grace, this in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God."1
This word for stand has many occurrences in the new testament, "stand firm, stand, establish, fixed..." it is from histémi, "I make to stand" it has its root meaning of " I put, place, lay, set, fix, establish." We have access into this Grace in which we stand for the purpose of being established or so that we learn to stand. Grace is a fundamental principle of the new covenant but why is it often attacked, and what is at the root of such attacks?
"And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand?"2
Those against the teachings of grace fundamentally argue that teaching grace is to teach a license to sin. But such logic is against the Kingdom of God, Paul writes we stand in Grace to have dominion over sin, "Indeed, sin you will not have dominion over, indeed, you are under law but under grace."4 If the Church doesn't teach Grace then what does it teach but the Law? thus it teaches one to overcome sin under the law which is opposite of the Kingdom of God, thus it divides, and such a house divided can not stand.
"Christ is the end of the Law, in order to bring righteousness to everyone who believes."5
Righteousness is in Christ. Jesus said the Pharisees were zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge, "For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness."6 As Paul writes they exchanged the truth for a lie, the idol they had established and worshiped was a false image of God, a false religion, and many people thought it was God's righteousness. Jesus said the love of God did not dwell in their hearts. Understanding God's Grace and how it extends to others is the litmus test of my faith. Grace is a paradox to a system that puts money, earthly treasure, above that of people.
"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."7
A profound statement Paul makes, think of all the issues we have today and most likely at its root is the love of money. If we apply this specifically to the issues within our own country, contrary to many the root would not be disobedience, no, the root of all evil is as Jesus said the love of money. Thus we do not need more laws that would side with such a root, calling the poor evil... The majority of people are not taking opportunity to do wrong in such great Liberty we have, no, they are not using grace as a license to sin as some spew forth. We see a correlation today in those who would attack Grace and Liberty with this root in the love of money.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,"8
We are told it is the failure to keep a close "hawks eye" on our money, but the real problem is revealed, it is earthly treasure and thieves break in and steal it. I am not talking about the person who doesn't bear his own load, no, but good people being mistreated. Instead of extending Grace it is a system that profits off the poor and hard times of others. It encourages debt, a banking system that profits off overcharges, like the Pharasees who piled heavy burdens on the shoulders of men al ready heavy ladened, such they do with their rules and regulations. How does one make a distinction between the swindler who runs over the elderly for a profit and a financial system that profits off the hard times of others? And what about the employee who doesn't do what is required, or the business you pay for services that doesn't deliver, they take your money, demand payment, and say they are doing you some favor.
"Be careful, then, that the light within you is not darkness."9
It is seen in the person who has lost his job, having tens or hundreds of thousands of equity in his home but the mortgage company would foreclose because he owes $460. It is seen in the business with 188 employees which the bank forecloses on for 4.5 million only to turn around and sell it for $900,000. It is high importance of personal relationships replaced with rules and regulations that drive the love of money. We call it the same standards for all, but it treats the good as the evil, as those who would steal. Not only does it not make business sense, as seen in the land deal where the bank loses profit, it is an unjust system, doing away with the presumption of innocence, where no past loyalty counts for anything, you owe money, thus you fight from guilt, you are the scum bag. Such puts focus on treasure in earthly wealth not in people. Important is the attack on Grace.
"And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings."10
This dishonest manager was losing his job, the shrewdness Jesus puts emphasis on, in this parable, is how this manager used "treasures on earth" which Jesus called unrighteous wealth to make friends. The mananger forgave debt so that when he was out of a job he would have friends that would help him. Does this look like the Kingdom of God today? Take the business man who needs help, say he has contributed into his local church, and hundreds of thousands in different ministries and all these will not help him in his time of need. As Paul writes they see the need of a brother but they turn their hearts from him, asking, does the love of God dwell in their hearts? Say the man who lost his job, who faithfully gave to his local church now they won't help him in his time of need? how do you explain such? surely it is not making friends. Of course the world doesn't place value in being friends with the poor but God places value on them.
"Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys."11
Paul writes, some have waivered away from the faith because of the craving for money. We see pastors attack Grace and Liberty, but one can't discount their personal gain, not tentmakers but from living off the people, thus you wonder about the motivation behind such attacks. Especially the heart of the Church is seen when it doesn't extend Grace to others, especially regarding money. The man who losses his job, sorry buddy, you must have done something evil, you must have not managed your money correctly, and you signed the contract... Yes, it is a Sign, of the end times, when we call good, evil, and when the heart of many grows cold.
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation has appeared to all men,"12
Through Christ we have access by faith into this Grace in which we stand, the purpose of such being not for acquiring earthly treasure, no, the Kingdom of God puts value in the souls of men. How clearly is such seen than in how I extend God's grace to others? especially is it seen in how I treat others over debt, how I value the treasure of heaven, such says where my heart is and whether I use earthly treasure to make friends of the Kingdom or for my own personal gain.
"Until justice rolls down like waters And righteousness like a mighty stream."12
"And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand?"2
Those against the teachings of grace fundamentally argue that teaching grace is to teach a license to sin. But such logic is against the Kingdom of God, Paul writes we stand in Grace to have dominion over sin, "Indeed, sin you will not have dominion over, indeed, you are under law but under grace."4 If the Church doesn't teach Grace then what does it teach but the Law? thus it teaches one to overcome sin under the law which is opposite of the Kingdom of God, thus it divides, and such a house divided can not stand.
"Christ is the end of the Law, in order to bring righteousness to everyone who believes."5
Righteousness is in Christ. Jesus said the Pharisees were zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge, "For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness."6 As Paul writes they exchanged the truth for a lie, the idol they had established and worshiped was a false image of God, a false religion, and many people thought it was God's righteousness. Jesus said the love of God did not dwell in their hearts. Understanding God's Grace and how it extends to others is the litmus test of my faith. Grace is a paradox to a system that puts money, earthly treasure, above that of people.
"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."7
A profound statement Paul makes, think of all the issues we have today and most likely at its root is the love of money. If we apply this specifically to the issues within our own country, contrary to many the root would not be disobedience, no, the root of all evil is as Jesus said the love of money. Thus we do not need more laws that would side with such a root, calling the poor evil... The majority of people are not taking opportunity to do wrong in such great Liberty we have, no, they are not using grace as a license to sin as some spew forth. We see a correlation today in those who would attack Grace and Liberty with this root in the love of money.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,"8
We are told it is the failure to keep a close "hawks eye" on our money, but the real problem is revealed, it is earthly treasure and thieves break in and steal it. I am not talking about the person who doesn't bear his own load, no, but good people being mistreated. Instead of extending Grace it is a system that profits off the poor and hard times of others. It encourages debt, a banking system that profits off overcharges, like the Pharasees who piled heavy burdens on the shoulders of men al ready heavy ladened, such they do with their rules and regulations. How does one make a distinction between the swindler who runs over the elderly for a profit and a financial system that profits off the hard times of others? And what about the employee who doesn't do what is required, or the business you pay for services that doesn't deliver, they take your money, demand payment, and say they are doing you some favor.
"Be careful, then, that the light within you is not darkness."9
It is seen in the person who has lost his job, having tens or hundreds of thousands of equity in his home but the mortgage company would foreclose because he owes $460. It is seen in the business with 188 employees which the bank forecloses on for 4.5 million only to turn around and sell it for $900,000. It is high importance of personal relationships replaced with rules and regulations that drive the love of money. We call it the same standards for all, but it treats the good as the evil, as those who would steal. Not only does it not make business sense, as seen in the land deal where the bank loses profit, it is an unjust system, doing away with the presumption of innocence, where no past loyalty counts for anything, you owe money, thus you fight from guilt, you are the scum bag. Such puts focus on treasure in earthly wealth not in people. Important is the attack on Grace.
"And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings."10
This dishonest manager was losing his job, the shrewdness Jesus puts emphasis on, in this parable, is how this manager used "treasures on earth" which Jesus called unrighteous wealth to make friends. The mananger forgave debt so that when he was out of a job he would have friends that would help him. Does this look like the Kingdom of God today? Take the business man who needs help, say he has contributed into his local church, and hundreds of thousands in different ministries and all these will not help him in his time of need. As Paul writes they see the need of a brother but they turn their hearts from him, asking, does the love of God dwell in their hearts? Say the man who lost his job, who faithfully gave to his local church now they won't help him in his time of need? how do you explain such? surely it is not making friends. Of course the world doesn't place value in being friends with the poor but God places value on them.
"Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys."11
Paul writes, some have waivered away from the faith because of the craving for money. We see pastors attack Grace and Liberty, but one can't discount their personal gain, not tentmakers but from living off the people, thus you wonder about the motivation behind such attacks. Especially the heart of the Church is seen when it doesn't extend Grace to others, especially regarding money. The man who losses his job, sorry buddy, you must have done something evil, you must have not managed your money correctly, and you signed the contract... Yes, it is a Sign, of the end times, when we call good, evil, and when the heart of many grows cold.
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation has appeared to all men,"12
Through Christ we have access by faith into this Grace in which we stand, the purpose of such being not for acquiring earthly treasure, no, the Kingdom of God puts value in the souls of men. How clearly is such seen than in how I extend God's grace to others? especially is it seen in how I treat others over debt, how I value the treasure of heaven, such says where my heart is and whether I use earthly treasure to make friends of the Kingdom or for my own personal gain.
"Until justice rolls down like waters And righteousness like a mighty stream."12