Google Grace
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8
Last week I heard a friend say, “Try googling the word grace!” So I did, and I got millions of articles, definitions, and applications to this amazing word. To my surprise as I looked through just the first three pages, I got many very bad ideas and concepts of grace. The reason they were, for the most part so misleading, is because most do not connect grace to God!
Did you know that this word only works in Christian theology? No world religion can apply grace to their theology – not one. Cults use it in their vocabulary, but have deceptive definitions. The world uses it to express a good feeling. But the Bible uses the word to connect us to the God of Grace! To me that’s very significant!
Paul puts grace on the line as he dares to say, “We are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:24
The reason grace works in Christians theology is because of three facts about the God of grace: 1) Grace is the disposition of God. It’s a quality that’s truly on display for all to read in the New Testament. 2) Grace is the inclination of God. It’s the way God shows His love towards us. 3) Grace is the action of God. It’s God’s highest display of power toward the soul suffering with sin.
So does this mean that we abandoned the simple definition of grace as “undeserved favor?” Not for a second! Grace is love in action! It is God’s favor that powerfully overflows into our daily lives that struggle with sin! It’s called grace because it’s free and it’s undeserved even on the days that grace faces the sickest sin, the darkest deposition, and the rudest rebellion!
Grace reminds us that there are no stipulations to coming to Jesus. Never do we find Jesus putting condition #1, #2 and #3 on a sinner who came to Him. So why is this such a dramatic doctrine? Because Jesus always sees the entirety of our lives through the lens of grace! Grace is the avenue that forgiveness travels when we've sinned. Let's not forget that grace is not just pardon for the soul, but it's power for the spirit.
One of the most precious verses that opens up the possibility of grace is found in Hebrews 4:16, when the writer profoundly states, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace.” That’s a throne with the disposition, inclination and the action that becomes an exciting reality for every second of every day. It’s not only the kind of throne we get to come to daily, but it also says, “that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Or a more literal translation: “that we may find mercy and grace for a well-timed help.”
Think about this, no one would be saved if grace were not undeserved favor that comes from the mind of God, the heart of God, and the very nature of God. No wonder grace is so amazing!
The Christian's life starts with grace, it continue with grace, and it ends with grace. So this means that grace is not just needed for everyday, but it's for eternity!
God bless you!
Pastor Dave
Last week I heard a friend say, “Try googling the word grace!” So I did, and I got millions of articles, definitions, and applications to this amazing word. To my surprise as I looked through just the first three pages, I got many very bad ideas and concepts of grace. The reason they were, for the most part so misleading, is because most do not connect grace to God!
Did you know that this word only works in Christian theology? No world religion can apply grace to their theology – not one. Cults use it in their vocabulary, but have deceptive definitions. The world uses it to express a good feeling. But the Bible uses the word to connect us to the God of Grace! To me that’s very significant!
Paul puts grace on the line as he dares to say, “We are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:24
The reason grace works in Christians theology is because of three facts about the God of grace: 1) Grace is the disposition of God. It’s a quality that’s truly on display for all to read in the New Testament. 2) Grace is the inclination of God. It’s the way God shows His love towards us. 3) Grace is the action of God. It’s God’s highest display of power toward the soul suffering with sin.
So does this mean that we abandoned the simple definition of grace as “undeserved favor?” Not for a second! Grace is love in action! It is God’s favor that powerfully overflows into our daily lives that struggle with sin! It’s called grace because it’s free and it’s undeserved even on the days that grace faces the sickest sin, the darkest deposition, and the rudest rebellion!
Grace reminds us that there are no stipulations to coming to Jesus. Never do we find Jesus putting condition #1, #2 and #3 on a sinner who came to Him. So why is this such a dramatic doctrine? Because Jesus always sees the entirety of our lives through the lens of grace! Grace is the avenue that forgiveness travels when we've sinned. Let's not forget that grace is not just pardon for the soul, but it's power for the spirit.
One of the most precious verses that opens up the possibility of grace is found in Hebrews 4:16, when the writer profoundly states, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace.” That’s a throne with the disposition, inclination and the action that becomes an exciting reality for every second of every day. It’s not only the kind of throne we get to come to daily, but it also says, “that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Or a more literal translation: “that we may find mercy and grace for a well-timed help.”
Think about this, no one would be saved if grace were not undeserved favor that comes from the mind of God, the heart of God, and the very nature of God. No wonder grace is so amazing!
The Christian's life starts with grace, it continue with grace, and it ends with grace. So this means that grace is not just needed for everyday, but it's for eternity!
God bless you!
Pastor Dave
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