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| PentecostalTheology.com
It is God Who Keeps Us, Sustains Us and Presents Us Blameless – Ray E Horton
Now here is a reason for great joy, and it is what Grace is all about:
“Now to Him who is able to keep guard, preserve you from stumbling falling, without sin, and to present (Gr. ‘histe¯mi’ Strong’s 2476 ‘stand, abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set’) you faultless unblemished, blameless, spotless …before (in the presence of His glory) His glorious presence with exceeding great joy” (Jude 1:24, using NKJV and other translations).
When we are Born Again, not only has He made us to be New Creations, He is able to keep us in presentable condition, without sin, as we remember who we are in Christ and trust in His Grace. Tempted! Look to Him! And if we miss it, we can turn back, get up and go on because He is able and desires to keep us blameless, if we do not give up but go forward, trusting in Him.
We are able to remain in His presence, where we find the joy which is our strength, as we stay mindful of His forgiveness of us at the cross, and His life in us by the Holy Spirit. Let us turn quickly back in times of weakness, letting Him help us to follow after the Spirit rather than the flesh, remembering “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).
A great help in allowing Him to keep us from sin moments is found a few verses back in Jude, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit” (Vs. 21). Praying with our prayer language does wonders, because it is the Holy Spirit Himself, who knows our hearts better than we do, praying through us to strengthen us and build us up in the Lord.
He Is Able If We Are Willing
He is able if we are willing! Grace is a done deal! Jesus died on the cross for all, once and for all. “It is finished.” Yet, the application of our wonderful salvation is not automatic. It is received by faith (Eph. 2:8-9). We have a choice.
For those who have struggled unsuccessfully with sin, and thus have given up to complacently living worldly lives, deceived and discouraged by law-based performance religion, thinking they face an impossible task, this Word of Grace brings such great hope. The consecration so desired by sincere believers who have tried and failed in the flesh, is possible. In fact, we find that Jesus’ words are true for us that “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” Matt. 11:30.
As we draw close to Him in prayer and trust, we can let go, praying and believing, and watch Him amazingly keep us pure as He grows us in holiness.
We just trust and agree with God’s Grace through Jesus Christ, since “…it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (NKJV). Or, as the NLT puts it, “God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Phil. 2:13).
If that has been your desire, but you only gave mental assent to scriptures like these in the past, know that the truths they speak of will work in your life. He is able and willing if you will give Him the chance anew to prove Himself and His Word, which does not return void.
For every area of weakness, pray and believe, and little by little, with increasing frequency, you will receive grace to overcome, and have the joy of victorious living over the flesh. Your soul will be prospering, and that sets you up for being able to receive in other areas of life. “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper (succeed in life in all things) and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (2 John 1:2). And when you are well and doing well, it is so much easier to focus on the things of God and to be used by Him to advance His Kingdom for His glory.
He will keep you, sustain you and make the way for you in every area of life so you can serve Him well, if you will draw near and trust Him to do it. He is faithful! So, choose now! Rejoice, and go for it – all the way for Jesus.
