The power of Grace

1 CORITHIANS 15:10; "But by the Grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. no, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the Grace of God that was with me." Paul.

Grace gave us faith. Grace and faith gives us love, joy and hope. Together they make us happy to work but our works are as dung without grace and faith.

The secret power of the child of God is the grace of God. It takes us to the Cross and leads us all the way home.

"Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work" (II Thessalonians 2:15-17).

Working at a rescue mission, day 1, lesson 1, song 1. "Amazing Grace." Nuff said?

"Twas Grace that tought my heart to fear and Grace my fears relieved, how precious did thatGrace appear, the hour I first believed."

I have a rule of thumb concerning 'grace'. Paul preached the 'grace' that he was given and that he experienced from God and Jesus Christ.

And when Paul preached that grace, he was accused of many of teaching others that they can sin all they want. He didn't preach that. But the grace that he preached was to the degree that others thought he was preaching that. (Rom. 3:8)

So, you who are Christian, and preach the 'grace' of God.....do you preach grace to that extent? Can others, after listening to you, accuse you of the same as they did Paul?

When I listen to preachers or teachers of the Bible I am listening for that accusation in their voice. Could I accuse them of that? Sadly, no. Seldom is there a real preacher of 'grace' anymore.

Stranger

unfortunately the last paragraph is true. Grace helps us overcome sin, it does not give us permission to commit sin. People can become bogged down with guilt that they become of no use or fall away from the truth and some are on a holiness kick that is so strict that few Christians can follow. What Paul was accused of was unfortunate too but those who pointed fingers at him that either they misunderstood or hated the idea of salvation without further sacrifice. I his day they were already turning into a Christian version of Pharisees' Saved by works is a prime example of that nonsense today. Grace allows us to do good works with joy, joy from Jesus and the Holy Spirit ministers well being and happiness to our souls.

The "Grace of God" simply means "Favor of God" or "Favored by God." Humanity is favored by God. We are God's favorites. Paul preached God's Grace, so God favored humanity more than what group of persons?

It means much more than that. The key to appreciating the grace of God is that it is UNMERITED AND UNDESERVED. It is the outpouring of the love, mercy, and forgiveness of God to the vilest sinner who is guilty before God. But it can only come through THROUGH CHRIST (John 14:6).

And it can only be appropriated by those who come to God as little children, recognizing that they do not deserve grace and mercy, yet believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and come in true repentance and humility to God. The publican who beat his breast and said "God, be merciful to me a sinner" was the recipient of God's grace, therefore he went home justified.

And just so no one will think that grace is a license to sin, we have this very clear Scripture (Titus 2:11,12): For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world...

1Co 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Charity, love in action is greater than faith, and hope, and love is the fulfilling of the law.

Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Faith works by love, no love, no faith, which is Paul said without charity he is nothing, and James said without charity their faith is dead, and John said without charity the love of God does not dwell in them.

1Co 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1Co 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1Co 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

This is the definition of charity according to God, which charity does not even think an evil thought, so it sure does not sin, for it does not rejoice in iniquity, but the truth that God hates sin so do not do it.

And many people lack when it comes to love, which the Bible says even creation testifies of love God, and love people.

No love, no faith.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.

We are saved by grace through faith.

No faith, no grace.

No love, no faith, no grace, so take a good look at that list that covers what love is all about so you do not lack by thinking sin, and doing sin, holding unto sin, and being unkind, and selfish, and arrogant, and caring about your wants, and not caring about the poor and needy.

Grace is the unmerited favor of God. It is where God shows us mercy, kindness, and patience instead of the judgment that we deserve for sinning against Him. God's grace cannot be earned by our actions or sincerity. Grace is based on the character of God and not on our sincerity, performance, or ability to keep the law. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.

Romans 11:6, "But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace."

Galatians 2:21, "I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died in vain."

2 Timothy 1:9, "who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity."

God's grace operates sovereignly in the lives of believers.

1 Corinthians 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.

2 Corinthians 1:12 - For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.

2 Corinthians 12:9 - And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Amen! Thank you Jesus. To 'o the mornin' to ya Dan

by grace @calibob, would you like to initiate a PM to me?