author - "C. R. Oliver"
This study is designed to be the last of the series on Grace. Within its walls lies a desire to show the great scope of relevance Grace plays in the total walk of Holiness. Most of the references will be in the form of summaries to be used for further investigation by the reader. Also, the bulk of materials will be from the New Testament. However, select Scriptures found in the Old Testament will introduce this study by showing how grace appeared back in ancient days.
Deeper Grace is an on going study of Grace. This study is from the Book of Romans. The Jews knew that it was grace that chose Abraham and made him the father of their nation and the father of faith. Scripture and the prophetic word taught them their history was one of grace outpoured upon a special people of God.
We will steer our study over four chapters reviewing several of the enemies of Israel. Beginning with Babylon in Chapter 13, it is necessary to point out, not only the accuracy of the Prophet, but the long timeline. (Sometimes the prophet reaches into the future for over 100 years and is "on the money" historically. This prompts biblical critics to declare there are many Isaiah writers who voice their work in this book. Don't believe them.)
In these six chapters, Isaiah used a broad brush to show how God has followed a plan from the beginning of time to the end of the ages. That plan has never been far removed from His people and its intent is to bring His kingdom on earth and a New Jerusalem where the old one stands.
Grace is an active, live ingredient, not a passive covering. Grace is the equivalent of an umbilical between the heart of God and the heart of the spirit man. It nourishes, even when the people of God are unaware of its actions. Grace delivers the sufficiency to overcome evil and grow the inner man toward the stature of Christ. Grace, however, refuses the company of the three confrontations Paul made with the Corinthian church: immorality, division and judgmental Pharisee-ism. Grace is never a covering for sin.
For the first study of the New Year 2013 and continuing the series on Grace, our focus will be based on three passages in Paul's epistle to Titus. In these three passages, the reader will learn that the "Grace" Paul talks about in his salutary remarks is greater in dimension than what is held in common concepts today. He greatly refines his reader's understanding in the second and third passages of this discussion. Incorporating all the aspects addressed in Chapters 2 and 3, his opening lines about "grace, mercy and peace" take on a broader field.
Isaiah is the great "Re-introducer of God." In profound language, both in prose and poetry, he addresses a nation that had "forgotten with Whom they were dealing." In today's study of the first five chapters, there builds a crescendo of interaction between God and His people that will culminate in the wonderful sixth chapter.
Study on Grace in the Book of Philippians will also need the Book of Acts. Used with permission by C. R. Oliver from the newsletter divission.
Plenty of evidence can be found among both the Israelites and the early church for seeking the mind of the Lord. When faced with issues, wisdom directed both entities to stop and find the path of His thinking. Here is a passage in Leviticus which grabs one's attention along this line.
It is easy to forget, in these closing chapters of Isaiah, that God is re-introducing Himself to His people. Along with these passages is an ever increasing refinement of what He considers as important and just how He plans to intervene in history. The Lord shows the tender side of His Fatherhood, as well as, the power side of His authority.
This study is designed to be the last of the series on Grace. Within its walls lies a desire to show the great scope of relevance Grace plays in the total walk of Holiness. Most of the references will be in the form of summaries to be used for further investigation by the reader. Also, the bulk of materials will be from the New Testament. However, select Scriptures found in the Old Testament will introduce this study by showing how grace appeared back in ancient days.
Deeper Grace is an on going study of Grace. This study is from the Book of Romans. The Jews knew that it was grace that chose Abraham and made him the father of their nation and the father of faith. Scripture and the prophetic word taught them their history was one of grace outpoured upon a special people of God.
We will steer our study over four chapters reviewing several of the enemies of Israel. Beginning with Babylon in Chapter 13, it is necessary to point out, not only the accuracy of the Prophet, but the long timeline. (Sometimes the prophet reaches into the future for over 100 years and is "on the money" historically. This prompts biblical critics to declare there are many Isaiah writers who voice their work in this book. Don't believe them.)
In these six chapters, Isaiah used a broad brush to show how God has followed a plan from the beginning of time to the end of the ages. That plan has never been far removed from His people and its intent is to bring His kingdom on earth and a New Jerusalem where the old one stands.
Grace is an active, live ingredient, not a passive covering. Grace is the equivalent of an umbilical between the heart of God and the heart of the spirit man. It nourishes, even when the people of God are unaware of its actions. Grace delivers the sufficiency to overcome evil and grow the inner man toward the stature of Christ. Grace, however, refuses the company of the three confrontations Paul made with the Corinthian church: immorality, division and judgmental Pharisee-ism. Grace is never a covering for sin.
For the first study of the New Year 2013 and continuing the series on Grace, our focus will be based on three passages in Paul's epistle to Titus. In these three passages, the reader will learn that the "Grace" Paul talks about in his salutary remarks is greater in dimension than what is held in common concepts today. He greatly refines his reader's understanding in the second and third passages of this discussion. Incorporating all the aspects addressed in Chapters 2 and 3, his opening lines about "grace, mercy and peace" take on a broader field.
Isaiah is the great "Re-introducer of God." In profound language, both in prose and poetry, he addresses a nation that had "forgotten with Whom they were dealing." In today's study of the first five chapters, there builds a crescendo of interaction between God and His people that will culminate in the wonderful sixth chapter.
Study on Grace in the Book of Philippians will also need the Book of Acts. Used with permission by C. R. Oliver from the newsletter divission.
Plenty of evidence can be found among both the Israelites and the early church for seeking the mind of the Lord. When faced with issues, wisdom directed both entities to stop and find the path of His thinking. Here is a passage in Leviticus which grabs one's attention along this line.
It is easy to forget, in these closing chapters of Isaiah, that God is re-introducing Himself to His people. Along with these passages is an ever increasing refinement of what He considers as important and just how He plans to intervene in history. The Lord shows the tender side of His Fatherhood, as well as, the power side of His authority.