I will be explaining and expounding on grace in this blog. What it is and what it is not. There are many believers who do not fully comprehend what grace really is. This blog is for showing believers what that is. We first see grace in Genesis:
6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. The Hebrew word here for grace is חֵן ḥēn. The word is pronounced khane. It means favor and acceptance. So we see that Noah found favor and acceptance in the sight of the Lord. There is so much on this subject and I will just do some quick highlighting here. The law came by Moses, but grace and truth by Jesus Christ: 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, [but] grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Rightsousness can only come through Faith in Jesus Christ and people are justified Freely by his grace--Amen-- 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 3:22 Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 3:25 Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 3:26 To declare, [I say], at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Thank the Lord for the Law because it convicted me and you of sin. But then Jesus Christ came to give redemption for mankinds sin. Let us look at the New Testament greek Word for grace:
χάρις charis khar'-ece :—acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy).
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude):
But what does grace do and teach us: Let us look into the scriptures for a moment: 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. Let us look at the word Teaching in the koine greek New Testament textus recptus.
παιδεύω paideuō pahee-dyoo'-o From G3816; to train up a child, that is, educate, or (by implication) discipline (by punishment):—chasten (-ise), instruct, learn, teach
Grace instructs, educates, disciplines us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously and godly in this presnet world. This is a stark contrast to legalism which tries to please God through the strength of the flesh. Grace does not give any believer a right to do whatever they please, but grace is the only path to salvation. We are saved by grace through faith. We all know the familar song "Amazing Grace" but it is grace that brought us thus far and grace will lead us home. Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home. There are many different things that can and has happened with grace. Let us look at some of these things via scripture.
12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith; 12:7 Or ministry, [let us wait] on [our] ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, [let him do it] with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 6:1 We then, [as] workers together [with him], beseech [you] also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 9:8 And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work: 9:14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 4:6 Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. And the list could go on and on. It can be a temptation to get caught up in what I call "Behavior Modification" Let me explain what I am trying to communicate here. I have a sister (in my own family) that was living with her boyfriend for sometime. Well one might think that they should go ahead and get married (a right thing to do) and they did eventually get married. But here is where the problem comes in at. They are still lost in sin even though they decided to get married. When one fails to proclaim the gospel of Christ to a lost and dyning world, a religious world, a humanistic and narcistic society we just bring woes upon ourselves. Paul said Woe is to me if I preach not the gospel. We are supposed to be fishers of men--catch em and let the sound biblical preaching and teaching of his Holy Word clean them up. Instead of Behaviour Modification why not try Born Again--Yes ,Yes--Let the Holy Ghost convict men of their sin and deal with the wickedness that is in the heart of man. |
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