1 Peter 5:5
New King James Version (NKJV)
Submit to God, Resist the Devil
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”[a]
Two meaning of Grace.
The most common definition is “unmerited favor” or “receiving the opposite of what we deserve.”
The second definition of this word is “ divine enablement” or “personal empowerment.” That is God enables and empowers us to do something we could not otherwise do without His “grace.”
The power of temptations can be overcome only by the power of God’s grace.
John 1:17
King James Version (KJV)
17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Under the old covenant people struggled and struggled against temptations in their hearts, but were always defeated.
Paul’s Testimony concerning his life based on the “Law.”
Philippians 3:6
New King James Version (NKJV)
6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Out ward appearance and deeds he was found blameless not sinless.
But Paul knew that deep inside him there was emptiness.
Paul found he was powerless against lust. Romans 7: 8-10
7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”[b] 8 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. 9 Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.
Grace is equated with power.
2 Corinthians 12:9
King James Version (KJV)
9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Your heart will be strengthened and not be defiled by lust.
Hebrew 13:9
Do not be carried about[c] with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.
When Grace is established in your heart all kinds of wrong doctrine will flee from you.
Grace is Jesus reigning in you.
You are Priest and Kings in Christ Jesus.
Then what about Law?
Hebrews 8:10
New King James Version (NKJV)
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Under the New Covenant God’s Royal love is written in their heart.
WHAT IS JESUS ROYAL LAW?
Through Grace the righteous requirement of the law is fulfilled inside us
Romans 8:4
New International Version (NIV)
4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Under Grace sin shall have no dominion over you.
Romans 6:14
New King James Version (NKJV)
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
You would not like to live a sinful life.
Your life will be peaceful.
Full of joy.
God calls you sons and daughters.
You are highly favored, you are greatly blessed.
What does it mean to humble ourselves?
If we are overcome by any sin, there can be only one reason for our being defeated – Our Pride.
And God does not give grace to the pride.
If we are quick to judge and humble ourselves in each failure, victory can be ours in a very short time.
We do not have the strength to overcome sin. Only through God’s Grace and Mercy we can do it.
In the Old Testament God brought the Israelites who left Egypt to the borders of the promised land two years after they had left Egypt.
But they could not enter in because of their unbelief. (Number 13 &14)
And so God Allowed those proud, self-confident Israelites to wander in the wilderness for another thirty –eight years until all the men of war( symbolizing self strength) had perished. (Deuteronomy 2:14)
Close:
Under Grace- You will have victory in every circumstances.
Under Grace- Your life will be transformed from glory to glory.
Under Grace- Your need for God in you daily existence is even more.
Under Grace- No weapon formed against you will prosper.(Isaiah 54:17)
Under Grace- No more pride.
Under Grace – Every Blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are yours.
