Much as been said (and sung) about God's grace, but it has been my experience to discover that many of those who speak of, and sing of, God's grace, do not understand it. And before I try to explain it, I must say that my own understanding has grown (in baby-steps) over the forty-five years I have been a born again believer. I am certain that I will still be learning of His grace till the day I meet Him face-to-face (1 Jn. 3:2)! "Grace" has been defined as "unmerited favor." Another "definition" is: God's Riches At Christ's Expense. Grace from God is not possible unless He has already granted us His mercy. Before He gives us eternal life, He first must show us mercy by allowing His Son Jesus to pay the penalty we owe Him due to our sin! So, "Grace" is getting something we do not deserve; "Mercy" is not getting what we DO deserve!" May these passages be a blessing to you:
"...God (demonstrated) His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified (that is, made right with God) by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath (the judgment of God on unrepentant sinners) through (faith in) Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only (that), but we also (rejoice) in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (in Whom, because of our faith in Him) we have now received the atonement (the satisfaction of God's justice has been applied to our account). For if by (Adam's sin, all men die); much more (those who) receive (God's) abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by (faith in) Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the offence of one, judgment came upon all men to (their) condemnation; even so, by the righteousness of One, the free gift (of salvation by faith) came upon all men unto justification of life" (Rom. 5:8-11, 17-18 - Paul Mutschler Version).
"For the (biblical payment for) sin is death (see Rom. 3:23); but the gift of God is eternal life through (faith in) Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23 - PMV).
"And you has He (made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins; (which) in times 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: among whom also we all had our (life style) 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 (are all mankind). But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, (He has made us alive) together with Christ - by grace you are saved - And (He) hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come, He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:1-9 - PMV).
No comments:
Post a Comment