As I prayed "Lord be glorified in our world", he replied: "I am glorified as my word is glorified in you."
However what was special was that he was specific about which 'word', i.e. message, he wanted glorified (exalted) in us. He directed me to the 'word of his grace' as stated in Acts 20:32.
“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." Acts 20:32 NIV
The Amplified version of that scripture says:
"And now I commend you to God [placing you in His protective, loving care] and [I commend you] to the word of His grace [the counsel and promises of His unmerited favour]. His grace is able to build you up and to give you the [rightful] inheritance among all those who are sanctified [that is, among those who are set apart for God’s purpose—all believers]."
This "message of his grace" is the good news of the undeserved acceptance and love we have in him. This is what Jesus ushered in by his death and resurrection. His death is the sacrifice that fulfilled all the requirements of Moses' ten commandments and the law. It brought an end to a era where man's acceptance before God was dependent on his observance of the laws. And the beauty is that this undeserved favour also gives us power to resist sin.
''For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.'' Romans 6:14 KJV
Why was the Lord pointing this out?
Because this is the "word" that needs to be glorified in our hearts for Christ Jesus to be glorified in our world.
This is a message though preached by many, is really for the whole body of Christ. A message of his grace breeds forgiveness, favour and unity.
The constant reminder of sins that the people of Israel had by the yearly required sacrifice did nothing but put sin at the forefront of their minds. This perpetuated their guilt and so slavery to sin was perpetuated.
"The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins." Hebrews 10:1-4 NIV
That is why Jesus Christ died. He was the once and for all sacrifice so that the message would no longer be "repent for the kingdom of God is at hand" but "the kingdom of God is here: accept it's transforming power". (Hebrews 10:10)
The message of his grace removes the constant reminder of sin replacing it with a constant reminder that we can "draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews 10:22
The Kingdom of God is Jesus in us by his word. The message of his grace is life eternal to our spirits. This is the word about Christ that needs to live in us richly. It is this overflow that glorifies the Lord. It is peace, confidence, empowerment, health and life to us personally and collectively as his Church. (Colossians 3:16)
Christ died to give us life eternal, his undeserved grace flows out of us freely for the life and healing of the nations. Amen.
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