The grace of God

The understanding of the grace of God is essential for every believer in Jesus Christ.  Without the grace of God no one can be saved.  Without the grace of God it is not possible to live out our faith in Christ.  Without the grace of God we would be dependent upon human ability to make decisions.  Unfortunately many people misuse the grace of God to do whatever they want and just say 'I am covered by grace.'  Lets look at a couple of area concerning a biblical view of the grace of God.  First the apostle Paul said "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9  Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.  When I trust in Jesus and accept this free gift of salvation it sets in motion a whole new world for us.  At least that is what is suppose to happen.  There is no human works by which we can be saved.  Now for a more complete understanding of the grace of God as applied to our salvation.  This salvation experience can only happen when I by faith enter into a relationship with God.  Jesus expects His followers to actually follow Him.  This means there is a part I must enter into to live out my salvation by grace.  The apostle Paul uses the phrase through faith, that means I must believe that Jesus exists and did all He did on the cross for me on a personal basis.  Jesus wants all His followers to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that He can write His law upon their hearts.  We will then begin to act according to the law of the Spirit rather then to the law of the flesh and the world.  The grace of God for salvation opens the door so that I can begin to live a life that pleases God.  Secondly the apostle Paul stated "But he said to me. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."  II Corinthians 12:9  Here the grace of God refers to the having the power of God that helps us when we are weak.  That is the grace of God empowers us when we acknowledge our weakness, that is when we walk in humility realizing I need God's help to live in ways that are consistent to the teachings of Jesus.  I need Jesus is a thought that is pleasing to the ears of God.  Self-sufficiency is a tool of the enemy to get us to become proud and arrogant.  Jesus did say that apart from Him we can do nothing.  The grace of God helps us to do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
May the God of all love, power and grace be with you.

Pastor John