Continuing in Grace

Biblical Academia
Sep 12
6 min read

Upon profession of faith, believers must learn to continue in the grace of God. Though not exhaustive, the scriptures presented provide encouragement and instruction to continue in grace.

Continuing in the Grace of God

Continuing in God's grace is part of continuing in Faith. While the Grace of God appeared unto all men, God's grace continues for those who desire to know God more, who seek separation from the world, and who utilizes God's grace to deny sin. In the end, those who continue will receive a gift of Grace.

Desiring to Know God More

Moses knew what it meant to continue in God's grace. In Exodus 33:12, Moses had already found grace in God's sight, yet he asks for knowledge of God's way, that he may know God, in order to find grace in God's sight.

Exodus 33:12-13 KJV -"12 And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. 13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people."

Moses shows his understanding that to remain in God's grace, or to receive the fullness of God's Grace, he must grow in his knowledge of God and follow God's way. Moses knew that continuing in God's grace would result in a life of blessings and provisions.

Seeking Separation from the World

Moses understood that continuing in God's grace would include living a way of life that was separate from the ways of those who live without God as their leader.

Exodus 33:16 KJV - "For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth."

Likewise, Abraham continued in God's grace as he sought a kingdom that was built and led by God.

Hebrews 11:8-10 KJV - "8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God."

Additional Scriptures

Abraham's History - Calling & Promise

Genesis 11:31 KJV - "And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there."

Genesis 12:1-4 KJV - "1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran."

Genesis 17:1-5 KJV - "1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. 2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. 3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, 4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee."

Abraham's continuance in grace also demonstrated his continuance in faith as he obediently followed God's plan without knowing what it would include. Until he would receive the coming gift of God's grace, Abraham continued in a separated life: maintaining the understanding that he is a sojourner in the world.

Hebrews 11:13 KJV - "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."

(see also Leviticus 25:23; 1 Chronicles 29:15)

Those who do not continue in faith have fallen from grace.

Galatians 5:4 KJV -"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."

Utilizing God's Grace

God's grace reveals a righteous way of living and compels the believer to discontinue living in sin.

Romans 6:1-2 KJV - "1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"

God's continued grace gives believers the ability and strength to deny sin and abound in good works.

Titus 2:11-12 KJV - "11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;"

1 Corinthians 15:10 KJV - "But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."

2 Corinthians 9:8 KJV - "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:"

The apostles of the first century understood the importance of continuing. Paul and Barnabas persuaded new converts to continue in the grace of God; and Peter taught believers to be as strangers and pilgrims in this world, to abstain from sin, and to manifest good works.

Acts 13:43 KJV - "Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God."

1 Peter 2:9-12 KJV - "9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."

Acts 13:43 KJV -"Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God."

1 Peter 2:9-12 KJV -"9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."

The Coming Gift of Grace

Those who continue in God's grace will receive a gift of grace that comes at the last day

.

1 Peter 1:13 KJV - "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;"