FIVE DIMENSIONS OF GRACE
The word “Grace” legally defined is “God’s Legal Decision”! For God to make a decision, he has legal authority to do so as it is his sovereign right because he is the Supreme Being and is above all. So, let’s articulate who God is and to know how God thinks and acts. Christians spend a lifetime trying to understand God, however, most never make it to the point of understanding him. For us to even start thinking properly about who God is and who he is to be able to make his “legal decisions” both in the Heavens and the Earth, we first have to understand what the name “God” means. The ironic thing about our God is that “God” is not even his real name! The word or name “God” is just a title which defined by Webster’s Dictionary means basically “a Being or Object that is worshipped”. This doesn’t sound too great to me so we look further to separate our “God” as being the only “True and Living God” and this means we must look at his real name(s). Our God has at least 51 or more separate names such as Jehovah-Jireh, Jehovah-Rapha, Jehova-Tsidkenu, Jehova-Nissi, I Am That I Am, Elohim, etc. Every Name of God means something and every name should be studied at a later time by each and every Christian that reads this book.
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s look at how “Just” our God is and how much “Integrity” he actually has. Our God is the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ and is “God the Father,” who has no beginning and no ending (Psalms 90:2). He existed before this world was ever made in the “timeless dateless past” and this means we really know only about one tenth of one percent of what our God has ever done. However, what we do know is that God the Father established a Court of (24) Elders to judge over Heaven and Creation and that these (24) Elders were Ancient People who were ordained by God to do just this: And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them. (Isa 44:7). And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. (Rev 4:4).
By God’s “integrity”, he chose to appoint a Court or Counsel to judge his Acts, his Decisions and his Word to determine if they are “Justified’ and if they are the “Truth”. This is our God and even though he is above all and can do anything he wants, he still chose to establish a Court to Judge all matters in his Kingdom! I bring you to this understanding to help you have a better grasp of who your God is and how “Just” he really is. Next, let’s see how he changed the Godhead in order to offer “Salvation” to all men who would believe.
The Godhead in St. John 1:1 consisted of God the Father, God the Word and God the Spirit. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (St. John 1:1). For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. (1 John 5:7)
This brings us to one of the five “Dimensions of Grace” which is “Salvation”. We have to go back before “time” or before the earth ever existed in order to observe God’s “legal decision” to create a “Creation” that never existed before which was “man”! The man “image” already existed in Heaven before the earth was, however, the man “image” was not the actual creation of “man” but was just the “image” of a man (Ezek 1:5-10). God created “man” as a living, walking, talking “being” that was to eventually be part of the actual Godhead. We see God’s plan in action for man once he created the earth and now we amazingly witness that the “man” Jesus is at present time the second member of the Godhead which thrusts “man” into an actual Godhead position right next to God the Father. The Father, The Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit now represent the Godhead. Previously, “man” was never part of the Triune Godhead, however, now he is. So, with all this being said, I now direct your attention to the Decision of God to create man and to impart his love towards us and to make a place for us in the Family of God by the “act” of Salvation, if we accept it. God’s legal decision encompassed everything we needed to have a future and a place with him which set the stage for us to succeed through Christ Jesus.
God the Father invested his son, Jesus Christ into this world to reap a harvest. If we understand and believe that Jesus Christ according to St. John 1:1 is the actual “Word” of God than we suddenly realize that God invested his “Word” into this world which changed the face of humanity and even the world. How did Jesus Christ being born of man change the face of this world? Look at this scripture and it says it all: For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. (Rom 8:19). (Matt 8:27) But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
If we read between the lines than we can understand that God’s “Word” or Jesus Christ was meant to change boundary lines, to change the Laws of Physics and to change the Power of Natural and Spiritual Laws. God turned around and gave us this same ability once we obtain the investment of his Knowledge by being placed under Governors and Tutors for a Godly Education (Gal 4:2). This bypasses most Christian’s intellects and most never obtain a real grasp of the potential power of an individual or group of Christians that come to the realization that God wasn’t playing around. God wasn’t conducting an experiment with mankind but was absolutely serious when he parted this dimension of time and space to place his “Word” into the middle of it. This placement of God’s “Word” was more power than any power that ever existed among man during his long history on this earth. It is a power to change the elements, to rearrange, to bring the dead back to life and to actually “alter time”!
The “Power” of this “Word” is seen many times and I want to introduce you to another “Dimension of Grace” which is to ”Take Up Thy Bed And Walk”: (Matt 9:2-5) 2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. 3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. 4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? 5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? Never before had such authority been recognized by those that stood around watching this event because the words that Jesus Christ spoke indicated power not known in this world. It was “Heaven” standing on earth in the form of a “Man” and this “Man” Jesus Christ was the ultimate authority, holding “Grace” or God’s legal decision in his very mouth. At Jesus Christ’s “Word,” it was done! Angels were not making the decision for this man, earthly governments were not making the decision for this man but it was the man Jesus making the final decision for this “sick man” to be healed. Men had never seen such authority, Men had never seen such boldness, Men had never seen a man make a decision that only God could make, however, men actually marveled at this power given to man by God’s “Grace”: (Matt 9:8) But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
Both statements by Jesus Christ were his “on the spot” legal decision according to him being a legal bearer of God’s “Grace” and this ability entitled him to judge the situation “on the spot” and to make a legal decision immediately. The first decision that Jesus made was absolute in power because to forgive sins was only God’s decision in the past. The second decision to tell the man to “pick-up his bed and walk” was a totally different decision and scenario because it was a creative miracle as the man was sick on a bed and at Jesus’ legal decision, he arose and walked away instantly made whole! Notice that Jesus made two legal decisions in order to heal the man, first he had to forgive the man’s sins so that he would no longer be bound and secondly he spoke creatively to cause the man to arise out of his bondage of sickness and to be made free. What other creation walking this earth has this legal authority to speak for God and for those words to be carried out? Yet, we see Jesus putting this same power right into our laps, daring us to become carriers of God’s Word and to become legal bearers of God’s authority given to man: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (St. John 14:12)
So, when will Christians stand up and do the same? When do Christians actually become the same “Minsters of Grace”? 1 Peter 4:10. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
“Steward” defined in the Webster’s Dictionary is - the conducting, supervising, or managing of something.
This means that we are given the authority to legally administer and manage the manifold “Grace” of God at any time because every Christian has been given this legal ability. Whether or not a Christian understands or has any knowledge on how or what to administer is a totally different subject. That is why the Bible makes this statement to all Christians:
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
If you don’t know the Word of God and it’s revelation than how can you minister “Grace” to another. If a man is bound by his own sin and problems than how can he minister life? So, we strive to overcome and be free and at liberty which is the reason we separate ourselves from the unrighteousness of this world. However, the old saying is this; a man can’t lay his withered hands on another’s withered heart and hope to obtain a miracle lest he first be free himself.
Another “Dimension of Grace” is ”Grace For Grace”:
John 1:16-17
16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
The true amazing part of us receiving God’s “Grace” is that we can turn around and minister it to others, however, we still need “Grace” ourselves! This is baffling to think that we are walking “Grace Within Grace” because we needed “Grace” to get saved and we need it everyday to be ministered to us by God. However, here we are able to minister this very same “Grace” not only to others but to creation itself (Rom 8:19). I like looking at the Apostle Peter and to see how much “Grace” was ministered to him throughout his growth rate as it was shocking.
Matthew 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Matthew 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
We can see that Peter had quite the learning curve and he was given “Grace” each and every time in order to give him an opportunity to become the “Rock” that God was going to build his Church on:
Matthew 16:18-19
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
If Jesus Christ had not given “Grace” to Peter than the whole “Commission of Christ” would of been in jeopardy because Peter was the foundation of the plan. The Church could not of been established without Peter as he was the only one to take the keys and put them into the door and unlock the future of the Church when he stood up and spoke on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2)! So, by God’s legal decision, he set everything in motion for the future by having “Grace” upon Peter. How much more has God given us as “Ministers of Grace” to do the same.
I like to look at “Grace Within Grace” by this example: A bullet train is traveling at 200 mph and I am in one end of the train car and my friend is at the other end of the train car and I throw a football at him to catch it. If I throw the football and it travels at 60 mph towards my friend, is the football traveling at 60 mph or 260 mph? Technically speaking since we are within two dimensions of velocity both objects (the train and football) are measured in the rate and direction they are going together even though one object is within the other object. So, even though we are in God’s “Grace” we can minister that same “Grace” as we become “Grace For Grace”!
The next “Dimension of Grace” is “Come Boldly To The Throne of Grace”:
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
I really like this scripture and really like this “Dimension of Grace” because it puts us in a position like no other creation that has ever existed! What I mean by this is that no other creation has an audience with God like we do and to be able to have his full attention to our requests. We were chosen and created through Jesus Christ to have such a relationship with God the Father that we are told to come “boldly” into the presence of God. Boldly defined - fearless, assured, confident.
Can you really get the picture of what God is telling his people? He is telling us to come in before him without fear, assured and confident that we belong in his presence. That we can be confident that he is hearing us and that we can be assured he will move for us. How can we be assured? Because the scripture states “that we may obtain mercy” and “find grace to help in time of need”! This is a blueprint of the door that God has opened to us in order to obtain God’s Legal Decision for ourselves.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
If we are coming “boldly” to the Throne of Grace than we have to know the mindset to come forth in and what we have to possess and believe in when we do approach this throne. A Christian has to believe that he is Born of God (St.John 1:12-13) and that he or she is part of the Family of God. Otherwise, a Christian will come before the throne like an outcast or have the mindset of an outsider with no rights of passage. A common mindset of Christians is that they don’t believe that they are even worthy to come into the presence of God, never mind worthy to ask him something important without begging or crying. God does not want you begging nor groveling on the floor like you are a peasant not worthy of anything because you were worth enough that God sent his only son to save you. Furthermore, as you grow in the Knowledge of God, you will realize that your position in God is so much more than just Salvation, however, without having this knowledge, most Christians only know how to grovel and beg. Instead Christians need to know their rights according to the Covenants and according to the Word of God! Start praying for the Revelation and for your Eyes of Enlightenment to be opened (Eph 1:18).
The next “Dimension of Grace” is “At Thy Word”:
Job 22:28
Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. Decree defined - an order usually having the force of law. To command or enjoin.
Here we have the last “Dimension of Grace” that I will speak about and it is one that I find so powerful because it shoots off the charts of all known power. What we as “Sons of God” are being groomed for is to get God to move at “Our Word”, however, this is not something to be contemplated easily or to be simply understood as the snapping of our fingers! Please understand that this is a deep subject to attempt to explain or to give direction for so that it can work. A Christian and bible student must accept that you cannot just buy a DVD or book that gives you instant power to do this but it must come by great knowledge of the Word of God, by a great understanding of God’s intents and planning, by Holiness, by Righteousness and by knowing God’s will in any given event or circumstance. There is a path already planned out for this particular Grace which is the reason that God’s mindset is intricately planted and inserted into his Word (bible). God planned everything down to the last detail for this to occur otherwise he would not of sent his only son Jesus and given us every possible agreement that we would of ever needed through the Covenants of Christ!
Let’s take a look at this Dimension of Grace existing in another scripture in order to know that it really exists: Isaiah 45:11
Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.
This scripture plainly displays God’s absolute willingness to allow his “Sons” to speak and command “at their word” for him to move without question when it concerns “the works of his hands”. How often does the “work of God’s hands” occur? It occurs every single day and in order to understand this, a glimpse is needed of what God’s hands are working on? God’s hands are already set into a work that he established with Israel and than through Jesus Christ in the world! In the Bible ,we saw God’s hand moving in Israel many times, we also saw God’s hand moving through Jesus Christ many times and subsequently we have seen God’s hand moving many times in the Church up until this present day. All that God has done throughout Israel, in Jesus Christ and in the Church, we see that he has done it through “Man”! God used the Prophets of Israel to make judgements and their decisions affected all of Israel and even the whole world. God used Jesus Christ to offer Salvation to the entire world and Jesus did so many mighty miracles and works that the Apostle John said that if they were all recorded, the world itself could not contain them: John 21:25. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
Now, the Church and God’s hands go literally “hand in hand” as the Church raises the dead, preaches the Gospel, heals the sick, gets souls saved, opens blind eyes, delivers those that are bound in prison, controls the gates of hell, possesses the Keys of Death and Hell and much, much more! All of this is the “Work of God’s Hands” and it is all done by “man”who are the “Sons of God”. God commissioned man to do all this and where it is being done, it is being done at “their word” through the Holy Spirit. Let’s look further into the future:
Revelation 11:3-6
And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
Notice at the end of verse 6 it states “as often as they will” so, again we find man commanding the “works of God’s hands” and it is done “at their word”!
If you do some searching, you will find that the majority of authors, teachers and ministers today, all teach that these two witnesses in Rev 11:3 are either Moses and Elijah or some other two specific individual person(s). I don’t believe that nor do I teach this as we have to look at verse 4 which states who these (2) witnesses are! The scripture states that these are the “two olive trees” and the “two candlesticks” standing before the God of the earth. Let’s look at one scripture in the Book of Revelation that actually says plainly what a “Candlestick” represents in the Bible:
Revelation 1:20
The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
So, we easily see through the very Word of God that a “candlestick” represents the “Church”! Through this we see that it does not represent (2) specific individuals but speaks of the Church which encompasses a large force or great number of the Son’s of God. Another reason the number (2) is used is because the number (2) indicates witness and by studying scripture, we find that everything God does is with a witness. Another reason you will find for the number (2) is that there is power in “agreement”: Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Mark 6:7
And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;
The number (2) indicates the “Power of Witness” and the “Power of Agreement” which we can see that even Jesus himself sent his disciples out two by two for protection, for witness and for the power of agreement together. So, Rev 11:3 does not mean just two individuals handing out “Justice and Judgement” by themselves but it means two separate groups of God’s people doing this!
Next, we look at the “Two Olive Trees” and search to see what they represent which brings us to this scripture:
Romans 11:17
And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
The “Wild Olive Tree” represents the Gentile Nations and the “Olive Tree” represents the Nation of Israel. We as Christians are Gentiles if we are not of Jewish descent and we see that God grafted us as being the “Wild Olive Tree” into the “Olive Tree” as one “Family of God”! All of Israel will be saved (Rom 11:26) so we see that these “two witnesses” are made up of “two groups” of Christians and Jews.
This power of Grace brings us to an understanding that God trusts those he chooses to carry out his will at “Their Word”. God wants you to know that all these dimensions exist and are accessible by perseverance and gained knowledge with obedience. However, the blueprint to achieve the dimension of “At Thy Word” is by perfection:
Ephesians 4:11-13
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
This scripture lays out the groundwork for these (7) laws to bring a Christian to “Perfection” and into the realm of the “At Thy Word” dimension of Grace. You have now been shown that this dimension exists and subsequently it is up to you as the reader to discover the rest of the knowledge that goes with it. This means that you will have to find a teacher of the Word that not only knows that this dimension exists but he or she must also have achieved and mastered this dimension in order to teach it! Thanks for reading! Luke 12:48
But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.