Grace

What is grace?

 It seems like a simple question, but the answer has a lot of different angles to it. Most would begin with the acrostic “God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense,” some would remind us that it is “unmerited favor.” or “getting what we do not deserve.” Another might quickly take us to Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” I would reply to all, so so true. Yet, there is more, far far more that must not be ignored.  

The word “grace” (Chari in Greek) is used approximately 135 times in Scripture. We cannot be saved without God freely bestowing it upon us. However, we cannot live the Spirit-filled life without His “graces” as well. For my purpose in this writing, let us agree that all He gives us is a result of grace and that all He gives us is unmerited, yet all He gives is necessary. Sinful man is helpless and hopeless without His favor, blessing, strength, wisdom, knowledge, discernment, guidance, love, mercy, and forgiveness – His “graces.” We need Him and, fortunately, the Great I Am is willing to supply our every need. 

I trust that you are familiar with Romans 3:24, Romans 5:15, Romans 11:5-5. These are the verses that confirm that our eternal life depends on His saving grace. I would never want to minimize the most definite reality of God’s grace to man. However, there is another understanding of grace equally as critical. 

Read 2 Corinthians 9:8 ; 12:9 

Read 1 Corinthians 15:10

Read Titus 2:11-15 ; 3:1-7

Grace is not only a disposition, a quality, or an inclination in the nature of God, but an influence, force, and a power. Grace for living is an acting of God given to us that works in us to change our capacities for work, obedience, and suffering, like for daily living. There is nothing you need today to overcome life’s issues that God’s graces are not sufficient for.

Grace for living produces real, practical, and victorious outcomes in people’s lives. This grace empowers us to do for others, to love the unlovable, to forgive the unforgivable, to not give into our temptations, and to not be swept away by the “thorn of the flesh or the “cross you bear.” This is the grace that keeps us from falling away from our faith when troubles arise and doubts assail.  

How do we attain such a marvelous asset? Unlike saving faith that God generates in the heart of man in order for him to come to God and respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, this grace might be more likened to “Be ye filled with the Holy Spirit.” I humbly suggest these “graces,” grace for living, is something we should request from God constantly. 

The writer of Hebrews said it this way: 

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (4:16). 

It seems that finding grace, then, is a part of our prayer life. Our prayer life should be a reflection of our daily lives. That is why whether you have your daily devotion at night or in the morning, we look forward more than behind. “God, I have a test, an interview, a meeting, etc.. Please help me!” This is life, and this is the funnel which God injects Himself into our lives by need and by grace. “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that you will have all sufficiency in all things at all times that you may abound” (2 Cor. 9:8). 

You might say ‘not me.’  I might say that is not on God, but on you. My question then would be that if you feel insufficient, what is your time with God looking like? His grace is available and is sufficient, so are you receiving it daily to meet life’s demands? 

Read Philippians 4:6 

God works in, but you must work out. We often pray “God, work this out for me.” I get it. The better prayer, however, is “God, work in me, bestowing Your grace upon me that I might have wisdom, discernment, discretion, and power to work this out myself.” 

Read Philippians 2:12-13 

God has the power, but we must be involved. 

In Christ,  

Pastor Todd