Keeping Ourselves unspotted from the world (Lesson 50)
Introduction:
1. According to James 1:27, 2 important activities are included in "pure and undefiled religion before God." a. One activity is "visiting the fatherless and widows in their affliction." b. The other activity is "keeping ourselves unspotted from the world." 2. How grateful we need to be to God for providing instructions in His Word to help us remain free from the world's spots. 3. In this lesson we are concentrating on the role of God's grace. Discussion: I. LET US FIRST DEFINE "GOD'S GRACE"
A. "God's grace" is the undeserved kindness or favor that God extends to people. B. God's grace is demonstrated and illustrated many times in the Bible. 1. One demonstration is recorded in Deuteronomy 7:6-8. 2. An illustration is recorded in Luke 15:20-24. C. It is by God's grace through faith that we are saved to serve the Lord (Ephesians 2:8-10). D. God's grace can be seen when people turn to the Lord and live accordingly (Acts 11:19-23). II. GOD'S GRACE DOES NOT PERMIT CHRISTIANS TO ALLOW THEMSELVES TO BE SPOTTED BY THE WORLD
A. A thorough treatment of this issue is found in Romans 6. B. The Scriptures issue strong warnings against: 1. receiving God's grace in vain (2 Corinthians 6:1) 2. frustrating God's grace (Galatians 2:21) 3. falling from God's grace (Galatians 5:4) 4. turning God's grace into lasciviousness (Jude 4). III. GOD'S GRACE TEACHES US HOW TO LIVE SO WE CAN KEEP OURSELVES UNSPOTTED FROM THE WORLD
A. A thorough treatment of this issue is found in Titus 2:11-14. B. God's grace teaches us: 1. to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts 2. to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. C. Living according to these instructions allows us to look to the future with hope. D. Instead of allowing ourselves to be spotted by the world, the Lord wants us to be "a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
