Consider the Father’s GRACE through the Lord Jesus.
This is a magnificent Greek word used 155 times in the New Testament. The word in the Greek is “charis” and it basically means a favor bestowed, it means a generous gift given. That is its sort of normal common meaning. But in the sense of the New Testament in its redemptive sense, it means a favor bestowed and a generous given…a generous gift given by God to people who are totally undeserving and unworthy. It is God’s favor, God’s goodness, God’s generosity to provide for those who are unworthy of that provision. It starts at salvation and it goes right on forever because it tells us in Ephesians that through the ages to come God will show the riches of His kindness in His grace toward us… Then grace reaches a completely and wonderful proportion when it saves us and we go from common grace to the uncommon grace of salvation and we are given salvation, forgiveness of all of our sins, all the blessings that are God’s and the heavens are then bestowed upon us and held for our disposal “In Christ.” That goes on through sanctification {being changed} and on through glorification. God is generous to undeserving sinners. He is generous to those who are in Christ from the time of their salvation forever and forever. ” Note, whose Grace it is. It is GOD’S GRACE!
GOD’S GRACE speaks of His bestowing favor, kindness, empowerment on undeserving people. Grace gives us what we do not deserve while His mercy keeps, holds back what we do deserve! His Grace speaks of His unmerited favor, Kindness and empowering. His Promises of Grace for you are available and to be used through His “precious and magnificent Promises.”{Read 2 Peter 1:4}
I hope you will be encouraged by these thoughts as I was…LET’S CONSIDER…
GOD’S GRACE
1. His Grace SAVES us –
– Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by Grace are you Saved…” It is not by works we have done that we should earn, merit salvation but we are told it is the GIFT…Graciousness of God. There is the gift of grace to save our souls!
2. His Grace STRENGTHENS us –
– 2 Timothy 2:1 “Be Strong in the Grace of the Lord…” There is grace to strengthen us for service for Him in difficulty, stressful times where the Gospel is opposed. God gifts us with His grace to empower us to serve Him. It’s available for you! Strength to stand for the Lord in the face of opposition, Strength to serve in raising and equipping “faithful men”as Timothy was commissioned to do! There is sufficient strength to be strong not in self but in the Savior!
3. His Grace SUSTAINS us –
– 2 Cor 12:9 – “MY Grace IS Sufficient…” note “IS”- It is Present tense Grace for a Present tense moment. It is Moment by Moment Grace. Paul wrote this in the midst of suffering. The word “thorn” used in the verse, was used to impale or torture someone. He was in deep, deep pain. And He upon hearing this, said he would gladly boast knowing that His strength is made perfect in weakness. Often we are too strong in self sufficiency when we need to be strong in His dependency upon Him. There is grace to empower in times of affliction and pain.
4. His Grace SANCTIFIES us – {Changes Us}
– Titus 2:,12- “For the Grace of God has appeared Teaching us to Deny ungodliness, worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and Godly in this present age…” The grace of God that saved us will also change us if it is authentic! Note how “Grace” is active in the life of a believer “TEACHING; some translations say “INSTRUCTING, ” It empowers us to say “No” to sin and “Yes” to Him to live Godly! It changes us we are being changed more and more because of the GRACE that works IN us and through us in discernment and decision making. Amazing grace that teaches and empowers us. god’s Grace in action in a life and it is showing!
5. His Grace Equips For SERVICE .– 1 Cor 15:10 – “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.” -{NASB}…. “But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out His special favor on me–and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by His grace.”-{NLT}
His grace is active, vibrant, empowering to serve Him!
6. His Grace SATISFIES– 2 Cor 12:9 – “MY Grace IS Sufficient…” The word “Sufficient” means “enough” with the implication to “satisfy.” His grace not only sustains but satisfies even in the midst of suffering! What wonderful grace He supplied to Paul and it is for you too. That’s His promise!
He is the GOD OF ALL GRACE“- 1 Pet 5:10 and…“Grace and peace come from the Father and the Lord Jesus.“- {Eph 1:2}. God the Father Through the Son is the Author, Origin and Means of how Grace comes, “…For the Law was given through Moses; GRACE and truth were REALIZED THROUGH through Jesus Christ. “–{John 1;17}
APPLICATION TO YOU AT THIS MOMENT;
Come to Him and avail yourself before the THRONE of Grace in your time of need and you will find an ABUNDANCE of Grace, mercy and help in your time of need…{Heb 4:15-16}. His Grace is Available to those who HUMBLE themselves before Him and ask…OF GOD- {1 Peter 5:5}.
“He is the GOD OF ALL GRACE”– {1 Pet 5:10}.
So what is it you need? Saving, Strengthening, Sustaining, Sanctifying Grace?
He has a Promise of Abounding grace for you!
” My Grace IS Sufficient for you”-{2 Cor 12:9