In 2016, God has given much grace so that we can become qualified to enter New Jerusalem, the best dwelling place in Heaven. In retrospection of the grace, let's offer up greater love and thanks to God on Christmas.
The Grace of Repentance
Now is the end time in which sins and evil are so prevalent that people commit sin without knowing what sin is. Thus, it is really hard to receive the grace of repentance. The enemy Satan tempts people to become conceited and enjoy committing sins, and even tried to stain Christians with sins (2 Timothy 3:2-5).
When people met the Lord for the first time, most of them repented with tears singing, "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound…" Although all could be forgiven of sins through the Lord's precious blood, some people fall into the pit of sins again.
It should be noted here that some sins lead to death while other sins are forgivable through repentance. It is recorded in 1 John 5:16, "If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will forgive him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this."
The sins leading to death are unforgivable, but the God of love has given the grace of repentance even to those who committed such sins at the price of tremendous sacrifice in order to save more people at this sin-filled end time (2 Chronicles 7:14). That is, He led them to repent of the sins by the works of the Holy Spirit. He wants all people to receive the grace of repentance and salvation through God's grace and love, the Lord's precious blood and His intercession, and the Holy Spirit's limitless mercy and help.
The Grace of Understanding Sins and Goodness
Although you repent of your sin, unless you understand its filthiness, you may repeat the same sin again. God told Adam the first man not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But Adam ate it when Eve gave it to him. It was because he did not feel what the sin—disobedience—is like.
Knowing that a sin is filthy differs from feeling it in the heart. In the same manner, only when you feel how pleasing it is to do goodness can you choose to practice goodness in every matter. God has waited patiently for us to gain realization on sins and goodness from the heart.
The word of life has constantly been provided and the truth, righteousness, and judgment were taught without ceasing. The shepherd's endless tears and sacrifice made you feel the burning heart of God and the Lord for souls.
You have grasped why you should cast away sins, how dirty they are, and how you can throw them away. The result is that you have become wheat-like believers who long for the judgment day of reward, not for that of punishment.
Furthermore, you have fulfilled qualifications to enter New Jerusalem by achieving the highest level of goodness like the forefathers of faith did.
The Grace of Enabling Us to Cast Away Sins and Change
You cannot change completely only by receiving the grace of repentance and understanding and hope for New Jerusalem. In order not to stumble and not to commit sins again, you need power and strength to cast away sins and change.
Peter followed Jesus putting aside his own life. However, when he was at the risk of losing his life he cursed and denied knowing Him. Mankind is weak as seen in his case. But Jesus said in Mark 9:23 that all things are possible to him who believes, and opened the way that anyone can receive salvation by faith and with the Holy Spirit dwelling in them.
By the grace and strength of God and the Holy Spirit's help you can receive the power to fight against sins to the point of shedding blood and to cast off desire for worldly pleasure, wealth, fame, and authority. You may have felt that you were unable to cast them away, or you were unable indeed although you knew you should. But through His power, you came to be able to throw them away.
God has been pouring the waterfall-like grace so that we won't be left behind in tiredness, won't look to the world again, and won't feel disheartened and give up. He continues to give us such grace for us to receive His strength and feel that we can make it.
We, who received salvation by faith, ought to repay the grace. When we pay it back, God gives us blessing in return. That is why He gives the grace, and the blessing is the glory of New Jerusalem.
Believers who are the Lord's brides should realize the love and grace of God and come out as the fruit of His joy. By doing so, they will be able to stand before the Lord who is their Bridegroom with joy, thanks, praise, and glory when the will and providence of God are completely fulfilled.
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