Moving from Cynicism to the Abundance of Grace 

1. Whatever we become cynical towards, WE prevent ourselves from being blessed in that area of life! 

      Cynicism from a wounded past 

      Cynicism as a result of fearing to step outside a box-experience 

Hebrews 11:40 (NIV)

     God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. 

Those who are operating through cynicism are blinded to the grace and blessings of God in front of them; nor can they receive it 

Proverbs 1:22 (Msg)

     …Cynics!  How long will you feed your cynicism? Idiots! How long will you refuse to learn? About face! I can revise your life. Look, I'm ready to pour out my spirit on you; I'm ready to tell you all I know. As it is, I've called, but you've turned a deaf ear; I've reached out to you, but you've ignored me. 

Those who are operating through cynicism will even interpret anything good, beautiful or any hopeful opportunity as something bad 

Proverbs 24:8 (Msg)

     …cynics desecrate beauty. 

Titus 1:15 (NLT)

     Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. 

Those who are operating through cynicism are ultimately depending on their tiring self-effort to hopelessly make themselves feel better 

Proverbs 14:6 (Msg)

     Cynics look high and low for wisdom—and never find it; the open-minded find it right on their doorstep! 
 

2. The two gifts of the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness – approval leads to overcoming of cynicism and our past woundedness! 

Romans 5:17 (NLT)

     For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is (1) God’s wonderful grace and his (2) gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. 

Romans 5:17 (NIV)

     For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive (1) God's abundant provision of grace and of the (2) gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. 

3. Lift up and focus our hopes to the level of God’s promises rather than bringing our eyes down to the level of our pains and difficulties 

Colossians 3:1-3 (NIV)

     Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. ²Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 

Whatever we dwell on, we reproduce – if we dwell on God’s promises, we will break through; but if we dwell on our fear, we will be paralyzed! 

2 Cor. 4:18 (NIV)

     So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.