by Jonnie Chastain

Created on: July 26, 2010

WHAT IS MEANT BY GRACE

In Webster’s Dictionary one definition of Grace is ‘the unmerited love and favor of God toward man’. While this is true it does not, and can not, explain the full extent of the marvelous Grace that God bestows upon us. We must look into His Holy Word to better grasp the true concept of Grace. Even so, we find that the Grace of God defies understanding. Those of us who have experienced salvation by His Grace can testify that it is truly amazing.

It has been rightly said that Grace is God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. For it is by Grace through Faith that we are saved, not by our works. (Eph.2:8, Rom.11:6) If one could spend every minute of life doing nothing but good, for example donating time money and energy to the benefit of others, it would not earn for them the right to spend eternity in Heaven.

Our loving Heavenly Father, knowing that there is none righteous, not even one (Rom.3:10), graciously provided a means by which we can obtain by Faith the righteousness of His Son Jesus Christ. (II Cor.5:21, Phil.3:9)

If Grace were a coin on the other side we would find Mercy. God sent His only begotten Son to shed his blood on the cross that we might be JUSTIFIED (found ‘not guilty’) not because of any righteous thing we had done but because of His Mercy. (Titus 3:4-7)

God’s Word tells us that Grace came by Christ (John 1:17), and is given by Christ (I Cor. 1:4). Along with encouragement and hope (II Thess. 2:16) Grace strengthens the heart (Heb. 13:9) and inspires sincerity (II Cor 1:2)

Various passages of scripture describe the Grace of Christ as sovereign (Rom. 5:21), great (Acts 4:33), rich (Eph. 1:7), sufficient (II Cor. 12:9), manifold (I Peter 4:10), glorious (Eph. 1:6), abounding (II Cor. 9:8), and exceedingly abundant (I Tim. 1:14).

It is because of God’s Grace that the sun shines on the evil and the good, and rain is sent on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matt. 5:45). It is by this Grace that we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).

To have, by His Grace through Faith, salvation and the promise of eternity in Heaven with Him is to have a peace that passes all understanding. (Phil. 4:7)

Who would not desire to experience the Grace of God? It awaits you at the foot of the cross.

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