GRACE
Grace is undeserved favor. It is mercy when we don’t expect it or deserve it. The Bible tells us how God has extended grace to us by offering us salvation-eternal life with him-for free! We don’t have to do anything to earn it. In fact, we can’t earn it or buy it. We simply accept it by believing that Jesus, God’s Son, died for our sins so we wouldn’t have to. God’s ultimate act of grace is an example of how we are to extend grace to others. We are to be quick to forgive, hasty in extending kindness, generous in love-even when others don’t deserve it.
WHERE DOES GRACE COME FROM? HOW DO WE RECEIVE IT?
Psalm 84:11 . . . He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right.
Grace begins with God and is given freely by God. His graciousness to us is our example for extending grace and mercy to others. Grace cannot be earned. It is freely given.
Ephesians 2:8-9 . . . God saved you by his special favor when you believed.
It is by God’s grace that he decided to offer us the gift of salvation. There is nothing we can do to earn it. We simply receive it with faith and in thanks.
John 1:16-17 . . . The law was given through Moses; God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.
In Old Testament times, God gave a code of laws to show his people how to live for him until Jesus and the Holy Spirit came. Following these laws didn’t earn salvation, but simply illustrated what a life transformed by the Holy Spirit would be like. With the coming of Jesus, we no longer have to slavishly follow these laws because, by God’s grace, we have been transformed on the inside so that we want to live pure lives for him.
Hebrews 4:16 . . . Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.
When we arrive at God’s very throne through prayer, we must linger to receive his grace.
WE ARE EXPECTED TO GROW IN GRACE, AND NOT MERELY ACCEPT IT AS A STAGNANT GIFT.
Philippians 1:6 . . . I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus returns.
2 Corinthians 8:9 . . . You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus Christ was. Though he was very rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.
Grace involves self-sacrifice, giving something up in order to give it away.
Daniel 9:18 . . . We do not ask because we deserve help, but because you are so merciful.
Recognizing and requesting God’s grace takes humility, for we realize that we do not deserve it-which is exactly why we need it.
PROMISES FROM GOD:
Psalm 103:8 . . . The Lord is merciful and gracious; he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love.
Philippians 1:6 . . . I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.
God never stops working in us to bring us to maturity.