10-ways You Are receiving the Grace of God in Vain!- Part 2

#freshmanna #encouragement #aothniel #godsgrace Today's Fresh Manna. 10- Ways You Are Receiving the Grace of God in Vain! Part 2 *************** "We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain" (2 Corinthians. 6:1). There are several ways in which reception of the grace of God may be in vain or to no useful purpose. We have seen two last time: 1. By turning to a different gospel. 2. By failing to bear fruit. Let us meditate on some more today: 3. By permitting God's word to be choked. In the parable of the Sower and the soils, the seed falling among thorns illustrates one who hears God's word, but "the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful" (Mark 4:18,19). 4. By turning back to worldly pollutions. Some who have escaped the pollutions of the world are again entangled therein and overcome. Peter compares such persons to a sow that was washed and returns to wallowing in the mire (2 Peter 2:20 to 22). One's receiving God's grace is indeed in vain if he goes back to his old vile way of life. 5. By losing faith. The Israelites were delivered from Egypt by the grace of God. Most of them perished in the wilderness. Why could they not enter the promised land? Because of unbelief (Heb. 3:19). In this there is a lesson for Christians. "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God" (Hebrews 3:12). 6. By beginning in the Spirit and ending in the flesh. Paul asked the Galatians, "Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Galatians 3:3). The apostle was determined to keep his body in subjection, not allowing the flesh to become the master, lest he be rejected (1 Corinthians 9:27). (To be continued). Be challenged! A. Othniel. December 18, 2023. God bless you