Worship Then Grace

It is easy to dismiss the impact of worship and prayer upon grace. Some would even argue I am teaching you receive grace by works.

There are works that are meant to work on the religious person to make them clean before God. The washings of the old testament come to mind.

There are other works that are meant to glorify God. They aren't meant to make us righteous ourselves but to interact with God through Christ.

We have beginning grace started wholly by God, but there is also grace based upon our prayer and worship. Augustine's argument against Pelagius focused on beginning grace while Pelagius highlighted grace attached to worship and our actions.

Heb 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.

Some grace is dependent upon us approaching God in worship and prayer.

Many have a short sighted vision of worship, as if it plays no role in receiving grace. I think many are so busy dismissing works to make us righteous, that they incorrectly dismiss our worship in receiving grace.

Receiving this grace may depend upon us approaching God in faith. It alse depends upon our rejoicing in our hope.

Heb 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

It isn't just enough to believe slightly, but we have to believe with confidence and exaltation.

Praise and worship do not make us righteous.  Praisee and worship may even denounce our own righteousness. It is important to salvation and necessary, however. Faith must swell to the point of approaching and praising God. Praise is how we voice faith.

Mat 8:8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

The bottom line, grace is received through worship and this is an undeniable facet of the New Testament.

Heb 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.

Salvation isn't faith only..