Grace

Grace is one of the most foundational concepts in Christianity, and is at the center of our faith. Grace is unmerited favour of God towards us through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace is getting what we do not deserve on the bill of what Jesus has done. Christ did the work, we received his gift of grace.

'For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift. For while the Law was given through Moses,grace (unearned, undeserved favor and spiritual blessing) and truth came through Jesus Christ.' [John 1:16-18]

But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man Jesus Christ, abounded to many [Romans 5:15]

For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. [Romans 5:17]

We are saved by grace

The difference between Christianity and most world religions is the very notion of GRACE. Religion dictates what a man must do to be accepted by God, there are rules of dos and donts for you to please God.

But Christianity states the exact opposite, God has done all the work, yours is to believe and you are in.

It often sounds too simple to the learned and educated of this world. Human nature wants to feel entitled, it wants to by some measure earn salvation. But we can't.

It is the free gift of God gotten by grace. Jesus paid the full price for us. And indeed, it is the only way we could ever have gotten acceptance with God. Our best efforts will still be far short of the standard.

Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.[Romans4:5]

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, [2Timothy 1:9]

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it [Ephesians 2:9]

Grace is not a license to sin

The fact that we are saved by grace does not in any way give us the freedom to keep living in sin. It is quite baffling why anyone who has been given free access to God will now deliberately go on sinning.

We live holy lives not to gain God's attention but because we have his attention and love. Grace teaches and empowers us to live right, pleasing the Lord.

Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? [Romans 6:1- 3]

Well then, since God's grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to Obey? [Romans 6:15-16]

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God[Titus 2:11-14]

Grace is not an enabler of laziness

'If it be of grace then it is not of works' [Romans 11:6]  The works talked about here is works of the law in order to please God. But in terms of works of career or business, grace is given that you might do more and get exponential results.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ brings you to favour before God and man and it also makes you diligent at what you do.

Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help,coming just when we need it].[Hebrews 4:16]

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.[1Corinthians 15:10]

Humility multiplies grace

You want to see the grace of God manifest abundantly in your life, then humble yourself. Humility is a sure recipe for the flow of grace.

It is worth noting that we are not asked to pray for humility, for it is within our powers to humble ourselves. It must be your decision to stay humble in all circumstances.

But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but favors the humble." So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.[James 4:6-7].

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time [1Peter 5:5-6]

The Lord mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble [Proverbs 3:34]

There are graces in people

There is the general grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that is given to all believers as has been stated earlier. But there are also specific graces released to individuals in Christ.

Such individuals do certain things effortlessly (Macedonian church) or have unusual insights into some matters (Paul). Recognize and develop it in yourself, and be humble enough to see it in others.

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.[2Corinthians 8:1-2]

But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.[2Corinthians 8:7-8]

Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. [Ephesians 3:3]

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.[Ephesians 4:7]

 Grow in grace

We can grow in specific graces. As there are graces on people, each of us can also grow in grace.

We grow in grace through the knowledge of God, the more you learn from God about an area, the more grace is released in that area. Grace is also increased through humility as stated earlier.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him [be] the glory both now and forever. Amen. [2 Peter 3:18] 

 May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. [2 Peter 1:2]