Grace defined: getting what we do not deserve.
An unmerited or undeserved favor from God.
Grace is a gift. A gift is not something given to somewhat because they are deserving. That would be considered a wage. A gift is something given by someone who loves the recipient. Understanding the Grace of God is crucial to experiencing the abundant of life Jesus desires for us. Let us reflect and ponder upon this thing called Grace. Many a songwriter expounds upon the self-unworthiness in relationship to this thing called Grace. When the song writer penned the gospel arrangement of Amazing Grace will always be my song of praise" he opens this hymn with a positive purpose. Then he goes on and expounds why Grace is his song of praise. For it was Grace, that bought my Liberty. Now sit back and allow the intricacies of this statement to matriculate in your mind. Grace.... allowed him a since of freedom. Grace provided him with release...Grace relinquished him from bondage. He continues with "I do not know just how he came to love me so" recognizing that it is not something he had earned or even dare to expect to deserve. Moreover, to confirm this understanding he states He looked beyond my Faults and saw my needs. Such an awesome wondrous statement that wraps up just what this Grace thing is.... Confirming that fact that Grace is Sufficient!
Now understand, I want everyone to understand how crucial it is to realize that we should appreciate the grace granted by God and recognize the urgency to expound and exhort this information to others. Let everyone know that yes we were once under the Law and because of our sinful nature we would all be condemned by it, but thank you Lord for the gift of grace that has been given to each of us through the life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But NEWS FLASH - a gift given must be gratefully received! However, this gift is not like that ugly tie or too tight skirt that you received at Christmas. It may not be wrapped up in a package that sparkles and shines. But I guarantee that the gift of grace is sufficient!
Grace in the Old Testament refers to "favor" in the expression. "Found grace in the eyes of God" Gen. 6:8.
It is used in the terms of kindness or graciousness that is shown to us by God. However, the New Testament summarizes it as "the unmerited and abundant gift of God’s love and favor to man," or more specifically = Jesus Christ and God’s redemptive love which acts to draw men to him and to preserve them in covenant relationship with him.
In other words, without God, we cannot experience Grace! Why - without God, the best that people can do is give out a cheap copy of the real thing. - Grace from God is heavy duty stuff built to take the heavy duty toil of daily life - where as the replica of grace derived from man will sorely disappoint you since it is simply a cheap imitation.
Now Let us reflect upon our own situations and our individual circumstances. In life, at times we have difficulties to understand the unfairness of life. It is not fair that some people are hungry. It is not fair, that some are homeless or jobless or motherless or fatherless. But wait, think about it, is it fair that God sent his only son to earth to hang on a cross to protect us from our own sin. That is where Grace that is sufficient enters the equation. God’s grace is not dependent on how we look. The letters that precedes or ascends our names does not determine his grace. His grace is not based upon the denomination banner we stand beneath. His grace is not merited by how good or great we feel we are. His grace cannot be negotiated or returned, it is an absolute thing. It is not given on demand or with an underlying purpose. God’s grace is a gracious gift given out of love. Somebody needs to understand that his Grace is Sufficient!
No matter what we do or how many times we fall down, stumble, get off track; God has a relentless, undying, unfathomable, unquenchable love from which we can never be separated from. God’s grace is sufficient.
Some one may be sitting here right now asking, "what is this thing called GRACE?" Is it something I work to get? Is it something you obtain in order to be saved? Does it come from us treating others right, and loving our neighbor? Is it based upon our perfection’s vs our imperfections? The grace of God says we serve God because we are saved, not in order to be saved! We love our neighbor because we are saved not in order to be saved.
Grace! It is our source of power when problems are perplexing. Grace! It is the spring of our tenacity when trials trip us up. Grace! It is the element of hope when we feel harassed and helpless. Grace! It is the fortifier of our faith during frustration. Grace! Allows us in times of trouble to look up instead of falling out. Grace! It allows us to hold on when it appears that others are attempting to hold out. Grace enables us to calm down during complexities.
Now I am not telling you it will douse or wash away the situation. It will not enable us to rationalize the trouble away. Grace will not enable us to escape the trial. Grace will not blunt the pain. Grace will not erase or keep difficulties at bay. Daily irritations will still transpire. However, it will permit us to settle down during trying times. Grace secures us enough not to worry about what is to come because we contemplate upon the goodness and greatness of Jesus & how he brought you out the last time! You know what is so reassuring? God’s grace is not dependent upon our actions! Not because we were obedient! Not because we had tithed. Not because we had attended church. However, the Grace of God is given unto us because he loves us and he is a God of another chance! He does not say there is a limit to his love or mercy. But he let’s us know that we are allowed his grace regardless of our sin! Grace is sufficient!
Why is it important that we understand the concept of God’s Grace? The first step in finding our place in God’s plan is to receive his Grace! Instead of looking at what we are, look up to him and ponder upon his Grace. Our past is not relevant to receiving his Grace. Our transgressions will not prohibit us from receiving his Grace. His Grace is the result of his outpouring love for us. The forgiving factor washes away our sins. It is the fortifying factor of our faith. It is what he has extended to us prior to our own acknowledgment of need. Grace brings us from polluted to purified! Just as God allowed Elisha to purify the spring in 2King, his grace purifies our polluted spirit. Even as we stray from God’s ways his grace can heal and renew. God’s Grace is Sufficient
Grace will allow a sense of presence, of peace, of stillness. Grace permits us to understand that though on the surface the pain seems unbearable, just below the surface grace lets us become endurable. Grace is always their, even during periods of peace and joy. When we are filled with happiness and no apparent worries, Grace is still there. Pouring into our cup, overflowing, so that when the next trial tips into our lives we will feel secure enough to say: God’s grace is sufficient
The same God of David, as he fled from his son Absalom, will deliver you. Restoring us - Reviving us - as it rekindles!
God is a God of grace who not only saves us from eternal death, but also saves us from a defeated life. He saves us by putting his life inside us. Grace removes our focus from our failures to our fulfillment. For our Savior said, I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly! God’s grace saves us from our failures. God’s grace saves us from our sinful nature.
Grace is Sufficient!
Grace is more than a mealtime prayer!
Grace is beyond our ability to earn or repay.
Acts 15:11 tells us we are saved because of it
Romans 4:4 says we are justified by it.
Ephesians 2:5 tells us we are restored by it!
God’s Grace is Sufficient!
2Cor. 1:12 tells us we are abundant because of it
Titus 2:12 brings us out of our worldly nature and into his presence.
2 Peter 3:10 says it calls us unto his eternal glory!
Grace is Sufficient.
God’s grace was provided to us when he sent down his son. God’s grace was consummated when Jesus prayed at Gethsemane. God’s Grace was affirmed when Jesus stood before Pontius Pilot. God’s Grace was procured when Jesus carried that cross up to Calvary. God’s Grace was acquired when they nailed our Lord to the cross. God’s Grace was ascertained as Jesus asked for our foreignness as he died upon the cross. God’s Grace was proven as they laid his only begotten son in that borrowed tomb. But listen up folks! The story does not conclude there. The report does not terminate at this junction. There is more to this Grace thing that allows us a warranted guarantee. God’s Grace, which is extensive. God’s Grace that is consistent. God’s Grace that is constant. God’s Grace, which is continuous. God’s Grace, that is unmerited. God’s Grace, was assured, secured, ascertained, and maintained when Jesus, who came to give us an abundant life - awoke from his slumber - was released from that borrowed tomb - and professed Death where is your sting, Grave where is your Victory! God’s Grace is sufficient enough to wipe away your transgressions and sins. God’s Grace is enough to remove that lust for that alcohol or drug high. God’s Grace can eliminate that feeling of self-loathing. God’s Grace can erase that feeling of doubt and disbelief. God’s Grace can eradicate that sense of hopelessness and despair. God’s Grace is sufficient!
Since the beginning of time, God has offered another chance to those who have failed. Those who think that they have flunked out in life, the Grace of God allows you the opportunity to enter back in and graduate with honors. We have a God of the second chance. He not only restores us, but he recycles our failures and uses them for his purpose. He views of our success is our conformity to the image of Jesus Christ. He utilizes our failures to prepare us for our success. God’s
