Rebbetzin
Almost Self-Reliant
Yes, MorelCabin that was a good one on Faith.
If one puts the word "Trust" instead of "faith" they get a better idea of what most passages are saying.
"Grace" , too, has a much deeper meaning than "unmeritied favor".
Here is a recent teaching on the concept of Grace.
It was given as an answer to a question a woman asked my husband on the
concept of "grace based discipline" for her children.
It is a bit long. But, I think worthy of repeating from time to time.
One problem is the impoverished English interpretation the word "Grace" most
commonly taught from the NT.
Most people think of Grace as only the "unmerited favor" of the Holy One.
But, there is much more to that concept of Grace than is usually taught.
Grace can also be interpreted as "The power and ability to do the will of the Holy One."
or "The Overcoming Power of G_d in the life of the Believer."
If you look at many passages where the word grace is used, and re-translate the verse
with the phrase "the power and ability to do G-d's will", or "The over-coming power
of G_d" in place of the concept of "unmerited favor" it makes much more sense.
As in this verse.
Romans 5:19-21
19 For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Mans
obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense
might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin
reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life
through Jesus Christ our L_rd.
Now, if the word here is to be the concept of "unmerited favor", how is unmerited favor
going to bring about any "righteousness" where there sin abounds?
But, if you re-translate it with the concept of the overcoming power of the Holy One..
it reads like this
Romans 5:19-21 19
For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Mans
obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense
might abound. But where sin abounded, the power and ability to do the will of G_d
abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so the power and
ability to do the will of G_d might reign through righteousness to eternal life through
Jesus Christ our L_rd.
Or as in these verses
Luke 2:40
And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom;
and the grace (power and ability to do the will) of G_d was upon Him.
John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory,
the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace (The power and
ability to do the will of G_d) and truth.
John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses, but grace (the overcoming power to
do the will of G_d) and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Did the Messiah need the "unmerited favor" of G_d? I think not,
HE alone "merited" the favor of the His Father.
If we can not come to the Father on the MERIT of the Messiah,
we are all still in our sins, and on our way to The Pit.
Acts 4:33
And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection
of the L_rd Jesus. And great grace (the power and ability to do the
will of G_D)was upon them all.
Acts 13:43
Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout
proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded
them to continue in the grace (Power and ability to do the will) of G_d.
How can one "continue in" something in which they have no input? Like what
do you "DO" to continue in "unmerited favor"? There is no visible "action" on
your part to continue in "unmerited favor." You didn't do anything to get it,
and there is nothing you can do to continue to receive it.
Acts 14:3
Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the L_rd, who
was bearing witness to the word of His grace (G_d's overcoming power), g
ranting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Acts 14:26
From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the
grace (The power and ability to do the will) of G_d for the work which they
had completed.
How could they be commended on the work which they had completed by
merely having "unmerited favor"?
James 4:5-7
5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously?
6 But He gives more grace(Power and ability to do G_d's will. Therefore He says:
God resists the proud, But gives grace(the power and ability to do His will)to the humble.
7 Therefore submit to G_d. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Which would be more helpful in resisting the devil? Unmerited favor?
Or the overcoming power of G_d in your life?
And lastly... though there are many more "grace" scriptures...
2 Corinthians 6:1-2
1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the
grace (The overcoming power) of G_d in vain. 2 For He says:
In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.
4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of G_d: in much
patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments,
in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 by purity, by knowledge,
by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the word
of truth, by the power of G_d, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand
and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as
deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold
we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;
as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
All those things listed as what the disciple may be called to endure, which "helps" the
disciple more? The concept of "unmerited favor" or "The power and ability to DO the
will of G_D" or "The overcoming power of G_d" in all the circumstances listed above?
We are admonished not to take that Grace/power and ability to do G_d's will in vain.
Which is to possess the power and ability to overcome sin, yet, to willfully continue in
sin. For then we make the power of G_d to be of no effect in our lives.
So, boiled down, Yes, indeed you need to be using "grace based discipline" on your children.
NOT by the "unmerited favor" definition of grace, but rather the definition of having the power
and ability to discern what the will of G_d is for each child, on a case by case basis, as you train
them to obey, love and honor the Holy One.
We all need Grace, "the power and ability to do His will." So we can OVERCOME sin in our lives.
If one puts the word "Trust" instead of "faith" they get a better idea of what most passages are saying.
"Grace" , too, has a much deeper meaning than "unmeritied favor".
Here is a recent teaching on the concept of Grace.
It was given as an answer to a question a woman asked my husband on the
concept of "grace based discipline" for her children.
It is a bit long. But, I think worthy of repeating from time to time.
One problem is the impoverished English interpretation the word "Grace" most
commonly taught from the NT.
Most people think of Grace as only the "unmerited favor" of the Holy One.
But, there is much more to that concept of Grace than is usually taught.
Grace can also be interpreted as "The power and ability to do the will of the Holy One."
or "The Overcoming Power of G_d in the life of the Believer."
If you look at many passages where the word grace is used, and re-translate the verse
with the phrase "the power and ability to do G-d's will", or "The over-coming power
of G_d" in place of the concept of "unmerited favor" it makes much more sense.
As in this verse.
Romans 5:19-21
19 For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Mans
obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense
might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin
reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life
through Jesus Christ our L_rd.
Now, if the word here is to be the concept of "unmerited favor", how is unmerited favor
going to bring about any "righteousness" where there sin abounds?
But, if you re-translate it with the concept of the overcoming power of the Holy One..
it reads like this
Romans 5:19-21 19
For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Mans
obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense
might abound. But where sin abounded, the power and ability to do the will of G_d
abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so the power and
ability to do the will of G_d might reign through righteousness to eternal life through
Jesus Christ our L_rd.
Or as in these verses
Luke 2:40
And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom;
and the grace (power and ability to do the will) of G_d was upon Him.
John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory,
the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace (The power and
ability to do the will of G_d) and truth.
John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses, but grace (the overcoming power to
do the will of G_d) and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Did the Messiah need the "unmerited favor" of G_d? I think not,
HE alone "merited" the favor of the His Father.
If we can not come to the Father on the MERIT of the Messiah,
we are all still in our sins, and on our way to The Pit.
Acts 4:33
And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection
of the L_rd Jesus. And great grace (the power and ability to do the
will of G_D)was upon them all.
Acts 13:43
Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout
proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded
them to continue in the grace (Power and ability to do the will) of G_d.
How can one "continue in" something in which they have no input? Like what
do you "DO" to continue in "unmerited favor"? There is no visible "action" on
your part to continue in "unmerited favor." You didn't do anything to get it,
and there is nothing you can do to continue to receive it.
Acts 14:3
Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the L_rd, who
was bearing witness to the word of His grace (G_d's overcoming power), g
ranting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Acts 14:26
From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the
grace (The power and ability to do the will) of G_d for the work which they
had completed.
How could they be commended on the work which they had completed by
merely having "unmerited favor"?
James 4:5-7
5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously?
6 But He gives more grace(Power and ability to do G_d's will. Therefore He says:
God resists the proud, But gives grace(the power and ability to do His will)to the humble.
7 Therefore submit to G_d. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Which would be more helpful in resisting the devil? Unmerited favor?
Or the overcoming power of G_d in your life?
And lastly... though there are many more "grace" scriptures...
2 Corinthians 6:1-2
1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the
grace (The overcoming power) of G_d in vain. 2 For He says:
In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.
4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of G_d: in much
patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments,
in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 by purity, by knowledge,
by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the word
of truth, by the power of G_d, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand
and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as
deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold
we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;
as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
All those things listed as what the disciple may be called to endure, which "helps" the
disciple more? The concept of "unmerited favor" or "The power and ability to DO the
will of G_D" or "The overcoming power of G_d" in all the circumstances listed above?
We are admonished not to take that Grace/power and ability to do G_d's will in vain.
Which is to possess the power and ability to overcome sin, yet, to willfully continue in
sin. For then we make the power of G_d to be of no effect in our lives.
So, boiled down, Yes, indeed you need to be using "grace based discipline" on your children.
NOT by the "unmerited favor" definition of grace, but rather the definition of having the power
and ability to discern what the will of G_d is for each child, on a case by case basis, as you train
them to obey, love and honor the Holy One.
We all need Grace, "the power and ability to do His will." So we can OVERCOME sin in our lives.
