GOD’S GRACE! PART 2.

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY AUGUST 27, 2023.

SUBJECT : GOD’S GRACE! PART 2.

Memory verse: “But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also. (Second Corinthians 8 vs 7.) 

READ: Romans 3 vs 23 - 24; Second Corinthians 9 vs 8; Galatians 1 vs 15 - 16; Second Peter 3 vs 18:

Romans 3:23: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 3:24: being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus 

Second Corinthians 9:8: And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Galatians 1:15: But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace,

Galatians 1:1:6 to reveal His Son to me, that I might preach Him among the Gentles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,

Second Peter 3:18: But grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.

INTIMATION:

We are justified by grace. All humanity has fallen short of that which is required for one to dwell in the presence of God. The result of law is that all are made sinners. The result of sin is separation from God. And the result of separation from God is spiritual death which will eventually lead to a second death. Since all men sin, then apart from the grace of God, no man can stand justified before God on the basis of law alone. We are justified before God, not on the basis of meritorious obedience to law or good works. 

We are justified on the basis that God saved us regardless of our inability to keep the law perfectly in order to save ourselves. This grace was freely given regardless of the spiritual condition of all humanity. It has to be freely given because men could not work in order to earn grace. Therefore, grace was given to take care of the sin problem of man. Once justified from sin by grace, we are then reconciled again to His presence and glory. All these were made possible by the sacrificial cross of Jesus where God’s grace was manifested. 

We grow in grace. It is the responsibility of each Christian to grow spiritually. The realm for growth is within the grace and knowledge of Jesus. One’s realization of God’s grace and knowledge that Jesus is the manifestation of the sacrificial Lamb who took away our sins, should stimulate us to spiritually grow. God has provided the motivation for spiritual growth through the revelation of His grace on the cross. It is the responsibility of Christians to grow in response to God’s grace and the knowledge that God poured out His love for mankind through the sacrifice of Jesus for our salvation.

We hope through grace. The Scripture in Second Thessalonians 2 vs 16 - 17 says, “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace.m, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.” Jesus was God manifested in the flesh, while the Father remained in the Spirit. God has given us comfort through the gospel. The result of our comfort will carry on throughout heavenly glory. It has been through the grace of God that we are saved. 

We abound through grace. Adam’s sin affected posterity. All men die as Adam spiritually died because all men sin. Spiritual death, therefore, ruled in the lives of men until the cross. When Jesus came, the opportunity was presented to men to reign over death in life through Jesus. One’s reign in life, therefore, is inseparably connected with the abundance of God’s grace through which comes the gift of justification. There is no reign in life outside Christ. 

We are called by grace. Our call to Christ and to do God’s work is according to the work of God, not of man. We are called by grace, not by any work of ours.  Before our birth God has foreordained on the work or purpose we are to serve on this earth. We are called by the grace that was manifested on the cross. We are called by rendering ourselves to the appeal of God’s atoning sacrifice for our sins, sins we could not atone through good works. 

We continue in grace. We continue as Christians only in the favor of God by being receptive to His Word. The Scripture, in Acts 13 vs 43 says, “Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. 

God’s grace is for the humble. Therefore, the humble receive grace. The Scripture, in James 4 vs 6, says, “But He gives more grace. Therefore, He says:”God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” God’s grace is extended toward those who have humbly submitted to Him. Those who are arrogant will not submit their lives to the Will of God. They resist submission, and thus, God resists giving His grace to them in order that they might be saved.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You Merciful and Loving Lord for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, as a propitiation for our sins. Never had their been any show of love and mercy such as this. My utmost heart desire is to serve You acceptably all the days of my life, and only You can empower me to do so by Your grace, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!