Grace Preparing for Glory # 2

Grace Preparing for Glory # 2

Grace teaches NEGATIVELY - it teaches us to renounce evil. Dagon must first be cast down - before the Ark of God can be set up. The leaven must be excluded from our houses - before the Lamb can be fed upon. The old man has to be put off - if the new man is to be put on. Grace teaches a Christian to mortify his members which are upon the earth, "to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts." Grace teaches the believer to resist these evils - by preventing the flesh from ruling over him, and that, by refusing to allow sin to dominate his heart.

"Ungodliness" is failing to give God His due place in our hearts and lives. It is disregarding His precepts and commands. It is having preference for the creature, loving pleasure more than holiness; being unconcerned whether my conduct pleases or displeases the Lord. There are many forms of "ungodliness" besides that of open infidelity and the grosser crimes of wickedness.

We are guilty of "ungodliness" when we are prayerless. We are guilty of "ungodliness" when we look to and lean upon the creature; or when we fail to see God's hand in providence - ascribing our blessings to "luck" or "chance." We are guilty of "ungodliness" when we grumble at the weather!

"And worldly lusts" - these are those affections and appetites which dominate and regulate the man of the world. It is the heart craving worldly objects, pleasures, honors, riches. It is an undue absorption with those things which serve only a temporary purpose and use. "Worldly lusts" cause the things of Heaven to be crowded out by the interests and concerns of earth. This may be done by things which are quite lawful in themselves - but through an immoderate use they gain possession of the heart. "Worldly lusts" are  "the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" (1 John 2:16.)

Now Divine grace is teaching the Christian to "deny ungodliness and worldly lusts." It does this by putting upon him "the fear of the Lord," so that he departs from evil. It does this by occupying the heart with a superior Object - when Christ was revealed to the heart of the Samaritan woman - she "left her waterpot" (John 4:28). It does this by supplying powerful motives and incentives to personal holiness. It does this by the indwelling Spirit resisting the flesh (Gal. 5:17). It does this by causing us to subordinate the interests of the body unto the higher interests of the soul.

Grace teaches POSITIVELY. It is not sufficient that we "deny ungodliness and worldly lusts," we must also "live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world."

"Soberly" comes first because we cannot live righteously or godly without it - he who takes to himself more than i due or fit, will not give men or God their portion. Unfortunately the word "sober" is now generally restricted to the opposite of inebriation - but the Christian is to be sober in ALL things. Sobriety is the moderation of our affections in the pursuit and use of earthly things. We are to be temperate in eating, sleeping, recreation, dress.

We need to be sober-minded, and not extremists. Only Divine grace can effectually teach sobriety, and if I am growing in grace, then I am becoming more sober. Grace does not remove natural inclinations and affections - but it governs them - it bridles their excess.

The first thing, then, that grace teaches us positively is self-control. "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city" (Proverbs 16:32).

"Righteously." This concerns our dealings with our fellow men. It is giving to each his due, dealing honorably with all; injuring none, seeking the good of all. To live "righteously" is doing unto others - as we would have them do unto us; it is being truthful, courteous, considerate, kind, helpful. "Do good unto all men, especially unto those who are of the household of faith" (Gal. 6:10), must be our constant aim. This is the second half of the Law's requirement, that we should "love our neighbor as ourselves." Only Divine grace can effectually "teach" us this. Nothing but Divine grace can counteract our innate selfishness.

"Godly." This is the attitude of our hearts towards God, ever seeking His glory. Godliness is made up of three ingredients, or more accurately, it issues from three springs - faith, fear, love.

~A. W. Pink~

(continued with # 3)