SATURDAY October 19, 2024

Knowing the Grace of God in Truth

[The Gospel] ...which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth....
Colossians 1:6

Paul boldly declared that the Gospel had gone out into all the world! Can you believe that? The first century Church was reaching the whole world, as it was known, with the Gospel message. The Church was very fruitful in their evangelism. They proclaimed the grace of God to sinners who needed to hear the truth of God’s Word.

The early Church was fulfilling the Great Commission, given to them by our Lord in Matthew 28:18-20. He told His disciples:

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

What about the Church today? During the Jesus People Movement, evangelism was at an all-time high. There was a saying in the Calvary Chapel movement, “Healthy sheep beget the sheep.” When Christians are well taught from the Bible, they just naturally shared their faith with whomever they came in contact with. Today, believers are more private. They are keeping their Christian faith to themselves. They are not as bold as they should be.

We need to continue the Great Commission and take the Gospel to all the world! How did the early Church accomplish reaching the world for Jesus Christ? Their dependence was on the power of the Holy Spirit. That was what gave the Church its power (Acts 2). That is exactly how Calvary Chapel started––having a dependence on the Holy Spirit’s power.

I thank God for the Calvary Chapels that are following the book of Acts. If they abide by the leading of God’s Spirit and the philosophy of ministry set down by its founder, Pastor Chuck Smith, they will continue to grow.

For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
~John 1:17~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!