Grace

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Grandpa

Senior Member
Jun 24, 2011
11,551
3,188
113
#1
We are saved by Grace through Faith and not of works lest any should boast.

What does that exactly mean? I've heard some say Grace is Gods unmerited Favor. That is certainly true but what does the bible say?

Ephesians 1:3-23

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
15Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

God Loves us. He has extended His Grace to us because of His Love and Mercy.

Ephesians 2:1-10
1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Have you recieved Gods Grace? I wonder how much someone can recieve? Is there a limit to how much? I've probably already recieved a double portion but I was wondering if I could go back for seconds? Well I'll go check and let everyone know...
 
Nov 26, 2011
3,818
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#2
Grace - charis - G5485 - 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): - acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy).

Ephesians 2:8 says grace if a gift.

Titus 2 says that graces teaches.

Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Thus it is a free gift that teaches. Which fits in with the Greek word Charis where it clearly says is the divine influence on the heart.

The quickening is also tied to grace.
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Quickened Together - G4806 - suzōopoieō
From G4862 and G2227; to reanimate conjointly with (figuratively): - quicken together with.

Grace is something we can receive in vain if we are not a worker together with God. This means that grace is put to use when we work together with God.

2Co 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

We access grace by faith.

Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Grace is brought unto us at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1Pe 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

The above applies that different measures of grace are given out. Grace appears to all men (Tit2:11) but grace is also brought at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Pet 1:13).


Thus so far we see that grace is the following...

Grace brings salvation.
Grace teaches godly living.
Grace can be received to no effect (in vain).
Grace quickens us together with Christ.
Grace is accessed through faith.
Grace appears to all men.
Grace brought at the relelation of Jesus Christ.

It can be clearly seen with these statements as well as wit the actual definition from the Greek that grace is primarily God's divine influence on our hearts which He gives to us by His good grace.

We are saved by it through faith.

The next question is what is faith?

We see in Hebrews 11 a specific definition.

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith is substantial and evidential.

Hebrews 11 then goes on to give examples of faith in action.

By faith Abel offered an acceptable sacrifice.
Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

By faith Enoch was translated. He pleased God by his testimony.
Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

One cannot please God without a substantial and evidential faith.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Noah feared God and built an ark by faith.
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Abraham trusted an obeyed God by faith.
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Thus so far we see the traits of faith which are...

Trusting in God
Fearing God and Taking Action
Obeying God
Diligently Seeking God.

Abraham who is the patriarch of the faithful.
Gal 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

Abraham's faith consisted of...

The Steps of Faith
Rom 4:12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

The Obedience of Faith
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

The Works of Faith
Joh 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.



Faith involved being fully persuaded in the mind which enables one to perform action.

Rom 4:19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:
Rom 4:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
Rom 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Rom 4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Rom 4:23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
Rom 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;


Thus the faith of Abraham that was imputed to his as righteousness was an active, obedient, diligent, trusting faith. Which perfect lines up with how James describes faith.

Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Faith is tied to action. Faith without action is dead faith or the faith of devils.

Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?





So clearly scripture establishes faith as being a dynamic active and working principle by which a believer is a doer of God's will.

Grace is clearly God's divine influence on the heart of an individual.

Thus Ephesians 2:8-10...

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.


We are saved by God's divine influence on our hearts when we put that divine influence into effect through a working obedient faith.

The result of doing this is purity.

1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

Act 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.



It is a beautiful thing.
 
Feb 11, 2012
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#3
I think most would agree grace isn't a license to sin,and disobey God, maybe some very lukewarm Christians might, but it clearly isn't.

I was taught in the system, its Gods pardon when we fall into sins of the flesh, such as porn watching, drunkenness, etc...

As long as we confess and ask for forgiveness then His grace is sufficient, and covers a multitude of sins, boy was I wrong!

Grace if freely given to those who have repented of all known sin, and are walking and living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age, then the grace of God will work in our lives.teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts!

I am still trying to grasp this, but what an awesome thing this grace is!
 

pickles

Senior Member
Apr 20, 2009
14,479
182
63
#4
Amen grandpa!
Grace is what brings us compleated in Jesus, leaving all flesh behind, that we may be acceptible before God.

God bless
pickles