THE LAW SERIES I

FRUSTRATING GOD’S GRACE?

Have you been in a conversation with a fellow believer and they go, “brother don’t frustrate the Grace of God on your life” lol Has this ever been you or has someone ever asked you this question before?

What does it really mean? Does the Bible teach it? What does the Bible say about a person frustrating God’s grace on their lives? Let me give a background story on this first.

During the first week in April, I sent out a devotional(triumph30) by my church, to some of my WhatsApp broadcast list and someone replied that it got him thinking.

Growing up,I thought frustrating God’s grace meant using hair extensions or jewelry as a believer or one of those religious laws that have no background whatsoever. It happens if you grew up in spaces or communities where the Gospel wasn’t really emphasized or preached at all but more of keeping rules, you’d see that your view on what the Gospel and what Christianity is would be tainted.

READ: PERFECTIONIST OR CHRIST-CENTRED?

But if you look at the Scriptures critically, you’d see what Paul was trying to say.

Like I addressed in my previous video and post, it’s something every believer needs to ask themselves, “do you really understand Grace? Do you understand the Gospel?” Let’s look at it: Frustrating your dad means to annoy or to make vain his efforts. As opposed to what many have used that phrase for in the past, you’d know that they don’t understand it.

Let’s look at the Scriptures together. There are about a few instances where this was mentioned in the epistles. First in the book of Romans then Galatians.

We’d be addressing only those in Galatians.

In the Galatian church, Paul wasn’t happy with them because they were trying to keep rules and laws trying to attain righteousness through that. He used strong words to rebuke them because they were going about with another Gospel see 1:7

If you read that verse alone, you’d think Paul was over reacting but it mattered! It matters how you present God’s message. It matters what you say when you tell the news of Jesus’ sacrifice for sins. It’s the good news not your sentiments or your culture or personal beliefs. It’s Christ died, was buried and raised again for the justification( declared holy) of everyone who believes.

Stop trying to measure your worth in Christ by what you do. – Deborah Briggs

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This is the case for many believers, they tell you Salvation is by Grace through Faith but you must stop doing this and that so that God would accept you and you’d ‘make heaven’. Galatians 2:16,17

You can’t start by faith and end up in works!!

I do not ignore or nullify the [gracious gift of the] grace of God [His amazing, unmerited favor], for if righteousness comes through [observing] the Law, then Christ died needlessly. [His suffering and death would have had no purpose whatsoever.]”

Galatians 2:21 AMP

READ ALSO: CHRIST DIED, WETIN I GAIN?

Many stop after the first line but reading through, we see clearly what Paul was talking about when he said I do not frustrate the Grace of God. It’s trying to attain righteousness through the law, judging a believer by what they wear or eat. We know no believer by the flesh! Even if we encourage decency but that is not the Gospel message. It’s completely contrary and interesting how these have crept into some parts of the churches today. You even hear people preach a whole sermon or write books about how to miss heaven. Are you planning to miss heaven tho??? It’s quite sad!!

“we see clearly what Paul was talking about when he said I do not frustrate the Grace of God. It’s trying to attain righteousness through the law, judging a believer by what they wear or eat.” – Deborah Briggs

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But if it is by grace [God’s unmerited favor], it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace [it would not be a gift but a reward for works].

Romans 11:6 AMP

If you’re trying to attain righteousness by your works then that’s no longer a gift but a reward which isn’t Grace. It’s not saying “yes you’re saved by Grace but you need to still do some things so that God can accept you!”

Stop trying to measure your worth in Christ by what you do. You need to get this as a believer, understanding that if you’re trying to keep laws, then you cannot be saved by Grace. If you choose to depend on what Christ has done, then you do not depend on the law or what you do to justify(declare you righteous) you. You’ve got to choose one. I hope you make the best choice and live for Christ without anything holding you back. I’m praying for you!

Led to add this and I know this is for someone reading this: you’ve defined yourself by many things including how much you’ve messed up, how many times you pray or don’t pray, how your day goes or what others say about you. You’ve walked too long among contenders of the Gospel and those who oppose its message. Come out already! Leave that kind of thinking behind! God has not called you into bondage or fear but to receive the life of the One who sings over you and offers you hope and eternal life. Dear sister, use the hair attachment if you like, put on some facial makeup if you want to(you’ve been using makeup on other parts anyway), wear the trousers but ensure you’re covered and decent. God is no longer assessing you based on your performance but on Jesus’. If he was, Jesus’ wouldn’t have been needed and you’d have been condemned. You’ve been saved by Grace unto good works not to keeping laws. You’ve been saved to a relationship, not slavery. You now have a Father who has purchased and given you His Spirit as a seal. You’re not alone, you’re not stranded! This is such good news!! He loved you by giving Himself for you and His sacrifice was sufficient enough to sustain you till the end! Even before you knew about Him! This might sound so simple but it’s so powerful! He is working in and through you to birth forth greater works you couldn’t have done on your own! Glory to God!

I hope this blessed you? This is the written part of this series. Embedded is the video on YouTube. Feel free to share if this blessed you!

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