Failing At Grace
Good Morning,
We have all been in a classroom and heard of failing. I do not think I ever failed a class; I cannot even remember if I ever failed a test (although I am sure I did).
What I do not want to fail at is securing the grace of God to stand in trials. The book of Hebrews speaks of this:
Hebrews 12:15 “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God…"
The answers to how and why, and the results are more than I can cover in this brief morning thought. (You will have to stay tuned for a sermon on the entire chapter, for you need all of it to get this truth clearly in your mind.)
Today’s article is simply A "DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT" NOT A "DOCTRINAL THESIS.” For a brief illustration, consider a schoolroom and a test: you are given material to learn, and then you are tested. The test in this chapter is "chastening." Some form of the word "chastening" is used six times in seven verses. The book of Psalms uses some form of this word seven times in 150 chapters. No other book of the Bible uses any form of this word more than three times. Hebrews 12 alone uses a form of "chasten" six times. This chapter is about chastening!
The next question is, who or what is God using to chasten us?
God will use shame (vs. 2), sinners (vs. 3), and grievous situations (vs. 11); all of these things are in the Father's hands.
The question is, can we run our race while suffering? Can we run (vs. 1), resist (vs. 4), endure (vs. 7), and stay peaceful towards all men (vs. 14)? That is how we "pass the test."
It is impossible to do these things on our own so the Lord offers grace. Grace is the Divine ability to do that which mankind cannot do on his own. We fail when we do not secure and hang on to grace.
Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
vs.15 “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”
If we fail the test of chastening because we do not cling to the grace of God, bitterness possesses our heart, many people around us will be defiled, and disciplinary warnings follow. (For example – "If you fail this test, you will have to take the third grade over again.”)
Accept these warnings without explanation (for there is just no time to explain here); the warnings ought to be enough to urge us to seek and to secure the grace of God.
Warning 1- turned out of the way (vs.13)
Warning 2- no man shall see the Lord (vs.14)
Warning 3- many defiled (vs.15)
Warning 4- rejected and no place of repentance (vs.17)
(None of these warnings mean you are not saved.)
Do not "fail of the grace of God.” (12:15)
THERE ARE TESTS and THERE IS CHASTENING, but THE GRACE OF GOD IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE. Do not fail to get it. You may end up taking the class over again.
Pastor