Click here for more on this topic and other free resources - https://www.drjimrichards.com
Experiencing the Spirit of Grace
Over the last fifty years, there has been a remarkable resurgence in preaching and teaching about God’s grace. Sadly, like so many biblical doctrines, grace has often become something people talk about—but seldom experience. I’ve witnessed some of the most irrational arguments over subtle doctrinal points about grace. Ironically, the behavior of those arguing usually reveals that, while they may have the right information about grace, they are not living in the power of grace!
Rarely do we hear people talk about how grace is actively transforming their lives—making them more stable in their walk with God, bolder in sharing their faith, more loving, kind, and patient. What’s even more troubling is that, for many, the message of grace has not softened their hearts—it has hardened them. Instead of becoming more compassionate and understanding, they’ve become more critical and less patient with those who do not embrace their doctrinal position.
We are all given the gift of God’s grace when we are born again, but that doesn’t mean we’ve truly received it—that is, taken hold of it by faith. Until we do, grace remains only a doctrine we can discuss, not a power that changes our lives! Grace is one of the great distinctions between the Old and New Covenants. The Old Covenant describes righteousness, love, ethics, and morality—but it didn’t give us the power to live them. But the grace of God makes us able! It is the power, strength, capacity, and ability that works from our hearts!
The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Grace, revealing that grace is more than an impersonal power. It is a manifestation of the person and power of the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit is not only our Counselor and Teacher—He is our strength. He manifests Himself within us, empowering us to live, function, and walk fully in the life of God.
Join me this week as we move beyond mere discussion—into the living, transforming power of God’s grace! The Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power (1 Cor 4:20). If we only talk about grace but are not experiencing the power of grace, it is mere doctrine, not life!!
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Click here for more on this topic and other free resources - https://www.drjimrichards.com
Experiencing the Spirit of Grace
Over the last fifty years, there has been a remarkable resurgence in preaching and teaching about God’s grace. Sadly, like so many biblical doctrines, grace has often become something people talk about—but seldom experience. I’ve witnessed some of the most irrational arguments over subtle doctrinal points about grace. Ironically, the behavior of those arguing usually reveals that, while they may have the right information about grace, they are not living in the power of grace!
Rarely do we hear people talk about how grace is actively transforming their lives—making them more stable in their walk with God, bolder in sharing their faith, more loving, kind, and patient. What’s even more troubling is that, for many, the message of grace has not softened their hearts—it has hardened them. Instead of becoming more compassionate and understanding, they’ve become more critical and less patient with those who do not embrace their doctrinal position.
We are all given the gift of God’s grace when we are born again, but that doesn’t mean we’ve truly received it—that is, taken hold of it by faith. Until we do, grace remains only a doctrine we can discuss, not a power that changes our lives! Grace is one of the great distinctions between the Old and New Covenants. The Old Covenant describes righteousness, love, ethics, and morality—but it didn’t give us the power to live them. But the grace of God makes us able! It is the power, strength, capacity, and ability that works from our hearts!
The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Grace, revealing that grace is more than an impersonal power. It is a manifestation of the person and power of the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit is not only our Counselor and Teacher—He is our strength. He manifests Himself within us, empowering us to live, function, and walk fully in the life of God.
Join me this week as we move beyond mere discussion—into the living, transforming power of God’s grace! The Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power (1 Cor 4:20). If we only talk about grace but are not experiencing the power of grace, it is mere doctrine, not life!!
Click here for more on this topic and other free resources - https://www.drjimrichards.com
We all long to hear from God. Too often, we become desperate for His direction—and that desperation can lead us down the wrong paths as we search for His voice. Sadly, many in the body of Christ don’t know or trust the ways God speaks, and that confusion breeds discouragement. I often hear from believers who feel abandoned because God isn’t “talking” to them. What I usually discover is that God is speaking—but they aren’t recognizing His voice because it doesn’t come the way they expected.
The apostles John and Peter provide us with keys to hearing God that the modern church often overlooks. They describe prophecy differently than we commonly do today, and because of that, we miss personal words God longs to speak into our hearts. In Revelation 19:10, John tells us that the spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus. Peter draws a vital connection between prophecy and Scripture in 2 Peter 1:19-21. This seems to be overlooked in our understanding of prophecy.
This week, I’ll unpack what Peter calls a “more sure word of prophecy.” He urges us to pay attention to Scripture until it enlightens us—like a lamp shining in the darkness. That illumination is a form of prophecy—a personal word from God that can be even more sure than a human voice prophesying over us. Jesus taught this same truth through His parables about seed: truth planted in a heart will grow, produce understanding, and bear fruit!
When we read the Bible, specific phrases, verses, or images suddenly stand out. Those moments are God’s way of relating Scripture to what He’s longing to speak into our hearts now. But we must cultivate attention and focus. As Jesus taught, we must think, ponder, reflect, and meditate on the Scriptures that capture our notice. Pray this simple prayer: “Father, in light of what draws me now, what are You saying to me, and how do I put it into practice?” That prayer plants the seed in your heart—and with serious attention, it will bear fruit.
Join me this week as we uncover this beautiful, simple secret hidden in plain sight in Scripture. Learn how to recognize God’s voice in the pages of His Word so you no longer wait for someone else to tell you what He’s saying. God will show you—through Scripture—what He wants to speak to your heart. Come discover how to receive your personal word from Him.
Dr. Jim Richards
Click here for more on this topic and other free resources - https://www.drjimrichards.com
Experiencing the Spirit of Grace
Over the last fifty years, there has been a remarkable resurgence in preaching and teaching about God’s grace. Sadly, like so many biblical doctrines, grace has often become something people talk about—but seldom experience. I’ve witnessed some of the most irrational arguments over subtle doctrinal points about grace. Ironically, the behavior of those arguing usually reveals that, while they may have the right information about grace, they are not living in the power of grace!
Rarely do we hear people talk about how grace is actively transforming their lives—making them more stable in their walk with God, bolder in sharing their faith, more loving, kind, and patient. What’s even more troubling is that, for many, the message of grace has not softened their hearts—it has hardened them. Instead of becoming more compassionate and understanding, they’ve become more critical and less patient with those who do not embrace their doctrinal position.
We are all given the gift of God’s grace when we are born again, but that doesn’t mean we’ve truly received it—that is, taken hold of it by faith. Until we do, grace remains only a doctrine we can discuss, not a power that changes our lives! Grace is one of the great distinctions between the Old and New Covenants. The Old Covenant describes righteousness, love, ethics, and morality—but it didn’t give us the power to live them. But the grace of God makes us able! It is the power, strength, capacity, and ability that works from our hearts!
The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Grace, revealing that grace is more than an impersonal power. It is a manifestation of the person and power of the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit is not only our Counselor and Teacher—He is our strength. He manifests Himself within us, empowering us to live, function, and walk fully in the life of God.
Join me this week as we move beyond mere discussion—into the living, transforming power of God’s grace! The Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power (1 Cor 4:20). If we only talk about grace but are not experiencing the power of grace, it is mere doctrine, not life!!
