Forces of Grace

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. (Ephesians 1:7-10 NLT)

So rich in kindness and grace. This really paints the picture of our loving and gracious God, doesn't it? We don't deserve his 'richness', but in spite of all our sin, he loves us so much. Our freedom from sin - our way out of all hurtful and harmful habits and hangups - is given in Christ Jesus. His kindness will never be 'repaid' by anything we do or say. We can but revel in his grace and worship him.

God's plan? To bring us back into right relationship with him - no longer captive to sin; no longer given over to our own lusts and desires; no longer following the patterns of this world. His means of accomplishing this? Christ Jesus. Our means of entering into this freedom? Saying yes to Jesus and then continuing to show that commitment to living free by being obedient to his commands. 

At the right time he will bring everything together. For years and years, mankind has attempted to nail a date to the wall as to when Jesus would set this evil world in order, doing away with Satan and his demonic hosts. As scripture warns, no man can know the day or the hour - we must remain watchful and ready. The authority that rules in this world at present will one day be turned over to Christ, but until that time, we 'push back' the evil by the authority given to us in Christ Jesus.

What authority rules in this world at present? Satan. What authority do we have to push back Satan's evil rule on this earth? According to Matthew 28:18, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Christ Jesus. Our part in this 'authority' right now is to go and make disciples of all men. According to Luke 10:19-20, we have been given all authority in Christ Jesus - I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven."

Our mission? Be living examples of his grace, making disciples of all mankind. We have no greater mission than to embrace the grace we have received and then 'be on mission' with Jesus. Until he returns, we must be his instruments. He is bringing everything to an ultimate culmination when Satan will be no longer a force on this earth, but until that time we must be 'forces' of grace. Just sayin!