Saved By Grace, Kept By Grace And Grow In Grace

• SPIRITUAL

• UN-SPIRITUAL

Every Christian fall into one of these two categories.

HOW DO WE KNOW THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF CHRISTIANS IN THE CHURCH?

Paul makes that distinction when he writes to the church in Galatia.

Look at Galatians 6:1, we read, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

Notice, Paul is telling the Galatian Christians that some in the church needs to assist the weaker Christians who have been overtaken in a fault.

He states that something needs to be done to help those who have been OVERTAKEN IN A FAULT, but he specifies the one who are to do this is those “WHICH ARE SPIRITUAL”.

He is insinuating that the spiritually immature Christians cannot help the weaker Christians because they are in need of assistance themselves.

Illus: For example, a lifeguard is not able to save a drowning man if he himself can not swim Himself.

WHAT DO WE MEAN WHEN WE SAY SOMEONE IS SPIRITUAL?

Illus: Before you can understand SPIRITUAL MATURITY, you have to understand that what is true in the PHYSICAL LIFE is also true in the SPIRITUAL LIFE.

That is everyone who grows old does not necessarily grow up!

We all know people who physically have been able to reach the height of an adult in size, but have not grown EMOTIONALLY, MENTALLY, or SPIRITUALLY.

Illus: It used to be when a person was around 19 to 21 years of age, they began to think, and act likes an adult.

That is different for many today. We are told today some do not begin to mature as an adult until they are around 40 or 50 years of age, and some never do!

Paul wanted the Colossian Christians to grow up so God can use them to help those who have been overtaken in a fault.

Notice, Paul is talking about those who have a FAULT not a SIN!

IS THAT SIGNIFICANT?

Yes!

Let me ask you a question; is there a difference between a sin and a fault?

Yes, there is a difference!!!

Let me explain.

James 5:16 tell us “Confess our faults one to another, and pray one for another…”

It does not say we are to confess our sins one to another.

We confess our sins to God only.

1 John 1:9. 1 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Sin often harms another person, but, ultimately, all sin is against God.

Let me illustrate:

(1) Joseph was being tempted to commit adultery with Potiphar’s wife. In resisting her, he said, "My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?"

It is interesting that Joseph did not say that his sin would be against Potiphar. This isn’t to say that Potiphar would be unaffected. But Joseph’s greater loyalty was to God and His laws. It was God he did not want to sin against.

(2) David said something similar after he had sinned with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). When confronted with his sin, David repented in great sorrow, saying to God, "Against You and You only have I sinned" (Psalm 51:4).

He had clearly sinned against Bathsheba and her husband, too, but it was the violation of God’s law that grieved David the most.

Illus: If you rob your neighbor’s house, you have obviously wronged your neighbor, but it is not your neighbor who holds you accountable. It is the higher law you have violated.

The state bears the responsibility to convict and punish you; your neighbor, although affected by your crime, defers to the state.

Spiritual mature Christians can help the UNSPIRITUAL with their fault. BUT only the Lord Jesus can help someone with their SINS!!!

Let’s look at a few things he talked to them about regarding being SPIRITUAL MATURITY.

Look at Colossians 2:6-7, we read, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”

These verses show us how we can become SPIRITUALLY MATURE CHRISTIANS.

I. SAVED BY GRACE

We often hear the song in our churches “Amazing Grace”. We have heard it so much we seldom listen to the words.

Let me share them with you today.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now am found

Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear

And grace, my fears relieved