God’s grace is a realm, within a realm, within a realm.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS DIAGRAM?

It expresses the idea of a first thought, but it is does not convey the truth that our heavenly Father gives of Himself and His grace.  Continued thought and meditation on His Word brought me to see that this diagram gives a limited view of Him and His grace.  It encloses all things to my narrow way of thinking.

There are many images of GOD.  We can think of him with many different names and uses. In our own imaginations we make GOD what we want Him to be.  Apart from His Word and His Holy Spirit we can make GOD just like us.  This diagram binds GOD within this circle.  It also binds His grace within my little idea of what He does. The only thing right about this picture is of the world—which is bound.

“HE HAS SET HIS THRONE IN THE HEAVENS;
AND HIS KINGDOM RULETH OVER ALL.”
Psalm 103:19

WHAT IS DIFFERENT IN THIS PICTURE?

The true and living GOD of the Holy Bible has a name that those of HIS KINGDOM know and acknowledge—THE LORD GOD—who made heaven and earth. No other  (whatever) claims this name nor this power.  Of His kingdom there is no limit.  This world and everything beyond is under His rule.

The world is bound within the kingdom of THE LORD GOD. He has set its boundaries. Under His sovereignty and in His providence the world will turn its final turn in HIs timing, when He will have put all kingdoms under the feet of His Son, Jesus Christ.

“THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU.”
Luke 17:22

The realm of  GOD’S GRACE is bound up in Jesus Christ, but not bound by our thinking.  By the power of His grace His kingdom is born within us.  It is a supernatural kingdom, unlike the world.  We cannot see it.  We can only believe it and live it as He continues to sanctify us in Christ. How is this possible?

“And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD:
and they shall be my people, and I will be their God:
for they shall return unto me with their whole heart”
Jeremiah 24:7

 The revelation of Christ brings regeneration—new life in Him.  This new heart and spirit is the kingdom of His grace ruling within us. He is not bound in His own use of His grace, but spreads it wherever He chooses, according to the counsel of His own will; (Ephesians 1:11) that we should be to the praise of His glory; living in the world as light and salt.

The heart is the center of our being.  What rules our heart rules our life.  Are we ruled by the world—or by THE LORD GOD AND HIS GRACE?

The first thought of this diagram came to me on the eve of the most trying decade of my life.  It was a vision that The Lord gave that assured me that though the world surrounds us with its evil, its hypocrisy, its rule of injustice, our heavenly Father’s kingdom is in control of it all.  His grace within my heart and life keeps me by His power, ruling and reigning, now and through eternity. We can stand against the wiles of the devil, the god of this world who blinds the world to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who is deceived and seeks to deceive by his own devises.

We can face the enemy who would use everything in our lives to turn us against THE LORD GOD and His kingdom. The trials, the temptations, and the losses that occur here in this world are but opportunities for our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ to show us His kingdom, His limitless power and grace in and through us—for His glory, and our joy.