1. THE IMPORTANCE OF GRACE Part 6

2. CHRIST IS THE AUTHOR OF OUR SALVATION. He has provided for all humanity the gift of Grace. It is free for the taking. But, in reality, NO ONE can RECEIVE the BENEFITS of that GIFT until they TAKE POSSESSION OF THAT GIFT.

3. POSSESSION OCCURS when WE OBEY JESUS CHRIST. Only then can we take possession of that gift

4. WHEN WE RECEIVE THE GIFT OF GRACE, BY OUR OBEDIENCE, JESUS BECOMES THE AUTHOR OF OUR SALVATION. Until that moment, Jesus is not our saviour. “And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him“ (Hebrews 5:9).

5. WE MUST REALISE THAT WE ARE NOW UNDER THIS PERIOD OF GRACE All who have, or will ever live after the resurrection of Jesus Christ are living under this period of Grace. We all have a debt of sin that is due. We are worthy of spiritual death, yet God, through Christ has given to us a time period in which we can redeem our debt of sin.

6. Our debt is our own sins. The reward for unforgiven sin is spiritual death. "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). We do not have to pay that debt if we accept the Grace of God.

7. "But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.“ (Romans 6:23b). The gift of God, which is Christ Jesus and the Grace that comes through Him, is eternal life. God's love for us has been extended to us by this gift of Grace.

8. God has given to each of us an opportunity to redeem our debt of sin. Now is the time for our salvation. No one is exempt form this debt of sin (cf. Romans 5:12 & 14). Now is the time to redeem your debt of sin through Jesus Christ, by obedience to the gospel.

9. If, in this life, we reject this opportunity to receive the benefits of God's saving Grace, then we have the wrath of God to look forward to in that day. If we are disobedient to the gospel of Christ, what do we have to look forward to? Paul says that: "For which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience" (Colossians 3:6).

10. THIS WILL BE THE LAST OPPORTUNITY GIVEN TO HUMANITY FOR SALVATION There are some doctrines that imply that God will grant a second period of Grace for those who failed to take advantage of God's Grace during their lifetime.

11. This is not even hinted at in the New Testament. During our lives, if we fail to accept this grace, then we do not have any other opportunities.

12. In the parable of the fig tree (Luke 13:6-9) our Lord teaches us that we are now living in the last time. This is time for us to accept the Grace of God. If we do not accept this Grace, then we will be rejected by Him.

13. Luke 13:6-9 "He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumber it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shall cut it down."

14. For three years the lord of this vineyard sought fruit from the fig tree. Each year there was no fruit. What is represented by the fig tree? What do the three years represent?

15. The fig tree represents God's people, or in this text the Jews. The three years represent the three ages in which God provided opportunities for His people to accept Him.

16. The first year was the age of the Fathers, or the star light age. God's will was revealed, but not in full. Some accepted what was given, but many failed to produce fruit. They rejected God and turned to idols instead of the living God.

17. The second age was that of the Law or the Mosaic age. In this period of time, God presented His law and gave His people guidance by that Law. He also sent them prophets to guide them. More knowledge of God was revealed, yet God's people still failed to produce meaningful fruit. We could call this the moon light age.

18. The third age was the time when our Lord Jesus Christ ministered the gospel upon this earth. God sent His only begotten Son to reveal God and His word. Yet, they would not hear the Son. They crucified Him: again rejecting God. They failed to produce fruit, even when the sun light of God‘s word was the brightest.

19. No visible fruit was produced during these three ages. The Lord wanted to destroy the fig tree, but the keeper (Jesus Christ) asked for one more year (age)

20. The Lord of the vineyard granted one more year, or age, in which the dresser of the vineyard would put forth an all out effort to cause the tree to produce fruit. If it did not produce any fruit at the end of that year, then it would be cut down, and no more opportunities would be given. This last year, or age, is the Christian age. It is the age of the Holy Spirit. We now have all of God's Word revealed, there will be no more new revelations.

21. If we fail to obey God during this age (the period of Grace), then there are no more opportunities given to obey God.

22. This truth was made clear by our Lord: "Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speakes against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." (Matthew 12:31-32)

23. The last year of this parable is the age of the Holy Spirit. This is the time when the Holy Spirit would reveal all truth. If all truth would be revealed, then no more could be expected. To reject the Holy Spirit is to reject the message that the Holy Spirit presented. That message is found in the New Testament.

24. Now is the time for our salvation: not some time yet to come. We are now living under this age of the Holy Spirit, which is the time that God has provided His Grace. Once We die, then the period of Grace has ended for us.