The
grace of God simply means to find
favor and acceptance from God. In the NT Greek the word for grace can also be defined as “the
spiritual condition of one
governed by the power of divine grace. And also as..“divine
influence upon
the heart”…... χάρις cháris, khar'-ece; from
G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of
manner or
act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or
spiritual; especially
the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life;including gratitude):”
The grace of God given as a gift to an individual but is also demonstrated in
power and
influence over the one who receives it, as shown in
Ephesians 3:7 “Whereof I was
made a minister, according to
the gift of
the grace of God
given unto me by the effectual working of his power.”
So when God’s grace is actively
working in a believer by faith, there is an
influence upon the heart that is also reflected
outwardly in ones
words and actions bringing forth good fruit, as shown here in
Romans 1:5 “By whom we have
received grace and apostleship,
for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:”
So though the grace of God is given as a gift to us, and we are chosen and elect and anointed by God, there is an active manifestation of God’s grace
working in His elect for the
obedience of the faith and for
to do, and
to work God’s works and will in our lives, by
the power of His
Spirit working in us and through us.
But there are also many
imposters who proclaim themselves to be “in Christ” or born again of God’s Spirit, or “under grace” but truly are not. So is one able to tell the difference between the
true and
false according to scripture? I believe there is.
First as we saw above in Romans 1:5 the grace of God is given for
the obedience of the faith, so
disobedience is a sure sign. It is also written that this faith that is given then
establishes the
righteousness of the law in us
Romans 3:31 “Do we then make
void the
law through faith? God forbid: yea,
we establish the law.
Romans 8:4 “That
the righteousness of the law might be
fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh,
but after the Spirit.”
This is also confirmed under the NT that we have the
righteousness of God’s law written on our hearts and minds.
Hebrews 8:10,
Hebrews 10:16. So we are not “
lawless” as some might suggest.
Also another sign of the active
power of God’s
grace working
in a true believer is that
sin shall not have dominion over you. Romans 6:14 Meaning you will not go on
sinning and serving the
lusts and
desires of the
flesh, but have truly been set free from the bondage of sin in your life by the same
power of God’s
Spirit of grace.
So we conclude as in
Titus 2:11-15 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,[SUP]12 [/SUP]
Teaching us that,denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and
godly, in this present world;[SUP]13 [/SUP]Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;[SUP]14 [/SUP]Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us
from all iniquity,and
purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of
good works.[SUP]15 [/SUP]These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”
Peace and God bless.
