Notice the picture above and realize that the Lord Jesus is the true gift. In order to receive the true gift who is Jesus we must not pay or use our own works to earn Jesus. Just receive the true gift who is the Lord Jesus by faith with your heart and get saved. Get saved, repent, decide to stop sinning, confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel that Jesus died on the cross for you, was buried, and rose again.
Let's study the word grace that blesses a person when they receive the gift Jesus. The Lord Jesus is called the gift of grace. Romans 5:15 says But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 1 Corinthians 1:3 says Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ.
Let's study many examples in the Word of God proving that grace is not received by good deeds and works. Grace is received by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8 says For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Notice in the picture above Martha (who is standing) is trying to earn grace by doing good deeds while she serves Jesus. But Mary (who is sitting in the picture above) receives the grace of Jesus by sitting and receiving Jesus by faith with no good deeds. Jesus received and blessed sinners who did not proudly boast in their works. DL Moody said that the difference between Martha and Mary was that Martha was trying to do something for Jesus while Mary was just taking by faith the gift of grace from Jesus.
The story about Martha and Mary is at Luke 10:40 and says But Martha was cumbered about much serving (distracted and too busy), and came to Him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Notice the picture above of the Pharisee and the publican. The publican in the background received the gift of grace by saying God be merciful to me a sinner. The Pharisee in the front of the picture did not obtain grace or justification because he boasted in his good deeds by saying I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. The story of the Pharisee and the publican is found at Luke 18:10 and says Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Notice that the publican in the background received the gift of grace and was justified when he confessed his sins and received the Lord Jesus by faith. DL Moody said that the grace of Jesus will save a wretch on the borders of hell and make him an inhabitant of the kingdom of God. Jesus will always be a friend to a repentant sinner and speak against haughty Pharisee hypocrites. Poor, humble, and penitent sinners can always come to Jesus and find grace. Jesus told me to tell you that if you confess your sins to Jesus and get saved, the blood of Jesus will forever remove your guilty sins and wash you whiter than snow.
Note the following examples that teach us about the grace of God. Someone could kill, rape, murder, and steal, but if they get saved and repent, they will be in peaceful heaven forever with Jesus. On the other hand, someone could do a million good deeds, attend church every Sunday, and give away billions of dollars to the poor, but if that person rejects the Lord Jesus, they will be tormented forever in hell and in the lake of fire. Little Johnny could be a good boy all his life and reject Jesus and go to hell and the lake of fire. Little Jimmy could be a bad boy all his life and repent, get saved, and go to peaceful heaven forever with the Lord Jesus.
The free gift of grace is given to people that receive the Lord Jesus by faith. Pictured above is the woman of Canaan who confessed to Jesus that she was a sinful dog, willing to eat just a crumb from the bread of life Jesus. Brother Bob is honored to admit that in myself I also am a sinful dog, willing to take just one crumb of a blessing from the Lord Jesus. Like the woman of Canaan, let's all continue to worship and praise the Lord Jesus in all circumstances, confessing our sins, while we receive the free gift of grace from Jesus.
The story of the woman of Canaan's faith is recorded at Matthew 15:22 and says And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto Him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But He answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought Him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped Him, saying, Lord, help me. But He answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
A person receives the gift of grace from the Lord Jesus by faith in the Lord Jesus and not good works. Romans 4:5 says But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Titus 3:5 says Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
Note the following scriptures that teach us how to find the Lord Jesus. James 4:8 says Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Jeremiah told us how to find the Lord Jesus when he said to seek for Jesus with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 says And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Proverbs 8;17 says I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says Pray without ceasing. Praying and seeking are different. Pray at all times, in the morning, noon, and night. Psalm 55:17 says Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice. But to find Jesus, seek Jesus early in the morning. Be like the birds who sing praises early in the morning because they found Jesus. Birds have bills but they keep on singing. I guarantee that if you wake up a half hour earlier than your normal wake up time and seek the Lord Jesus, you will find Jesus.
In the picture above we see a man arguing and suing someone in court and not just taking the wrong. Jesus tells us that it is better to lie down at night in peace and take the wrong, instead of spending years in a bitter lawsuit winning money that will just eventually disappear. 1 Corinthians 6:7 says Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? Why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
2 Timothy 3:12 says Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Brother Bob will testify that there has been numerous occasions where Brother Bob had the opportunity to sue someone in court and win but chose to bless his enemies and take the wrong. I rejoice to tell all my friends that it is better to have peace and sleep with joy every night than to be burdened with the stress of a bitter lawsuit for years. Ecclesiastes 5:12 says The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. Remember Romans 12:18 says If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine: I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
I pray in Jesus name that this bible study blesses multitudes everywhere with great joy, peace, and strength. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 746-7071. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.
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