Ephesians

Grace

/ taethne

Dale Ralph Davis has said, “It is not only by grace alone that we become God’s people but by grace alone we remain His people.” I don’t care if one is Calvinist or Arminean, we can both agree on this statement. We are saved by grace alone, Ephesians is very clear on that. We are also kept by the power of that same grace, given to us as a gift from God. We do nothing before salvation to merit it and we do nothing after salvation to merit keeping it. Has anyone lived perfectly, even after being born again? No? Then it is only by God’s grace we remain in fellowship with Him. The more one studies grace in Scripture, the more amazing it becomes.

As the Canons of Dort  expresses it, “God does not owe this grace to anyone. For what could God owe to one who has nothing to give that can be paid back? Indeed, what could God owe to one who has nothing of his own to give but sin and falsehood?” I leave you this morning with one other quote to ponder, this one from Alistair Begg: “As a result of grace, we have been saved from sin’s penalty. One day we will be saved from sin’s presence. In the meantime we are being saved from sin’s power.” Amen and praise God for His grace.

 

 

 

Hymn Devotions Day 1 – Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus

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Day 1

STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS

When I was a child, I did not understand this hymn. Well, to be honest, I understood all but one line of it. In the fourth stanza, at the end, the poem goes, “where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.”

In my young mind I took this phrase to mean “never be wanting to go wherever danger might be.” I knew, though, that while this made sense to my child’s mind, it didn’t make sense in a song about fighting for God, and being willing to put all on the line for the Lord.

Finally, it was explained to me. To be found wanting is to be found missing from where one needs to be. You are wanted, needed somewhere. You need to be somewhere that duty is calling, but you have gone AWOL. You have gone astray. The writer of this song is encouraging us to always be where we are needed, and to never let cowardice keep us from standing up for the Lord.

What a powerful song. Based on Ephesians 6:14 and written as a tribute to the Reverend Dudley Tyng (one of America’s great preachers) this song has inspired many to look to Jesus and not at the world. It is Jesus alone we look to, Jesus alone we are called to serve. Let us, therefore, be found true and faithful to the One who gave His life for us. Let us stand up for Jesus at home, school and play. Let us never be found wanting where we are needed.

Lord, help me be unashamed of You. Help me to witness clearly, speak boldly and oppose evil mightily. Give to me, the strength and protection I need.  

Stand Up, Stand for Jesus by George Duffield, Jr.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus   Ye soldiers of the cross

Lift high His royal banner                   It must not suffer loss

From victory, unto victory                 His army shall He lead

Till every foe is vanquished     And Christ is Lord indeed

 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus   The solemn watchword hear

If while ye sleep He suffers     Away with shame and fear

Wherever ye meet with evil     Within you or without

Charge for the God of battles            And put the foe to rout

 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus   The trumpet call obey

Forth to the mighty conflict    In this His glorious day

Ye that are brave now serve Him        Against unnumbered foes

Let courage rise with danger   And strength to strength oppose

 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus   Stand in His strength alone

The arm of flesh will fail you  Ye dare not trust your own

Put on the Gospel armor                   Each piece put on with prayer

Where duty calls or danger                 Be never wanting there

 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus   Each soldier to his post

Close up the broken column  And shout through all the host

Make good the loss so heavy  In those that shall remain

And praise to all around you  That death itself is gain

 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus   The strife will not be long

This day the noise of battle     The next the victor’s song

To him who overcometh                   A crown of life shall be

They with the King of Glory  Shall reign eternally