True Grace

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...I have written briefly exhorting and testifying that this is true grace of God wherein ye stand."(1 Peter 5:12b)

Here Peter emphasizes the true grace of God because there was a false theme of grace being preached in the church even in his day. It's sad that leaders have crept into the church turning the grace of God into lasciviousness. 

 Real grace teaches us how to deny ungodliness and worldly lust. The church must realize that God does not overlook our sins. Grace never takes away our responsibility to keep the commandments of God. Rather it enables us to obey them....
God offers his divine grace so that we may be freed from sin's clutches in order to do his will. Where sin abounds, grace can much more abound (Rom.5:20b). 

There are two meanings for grace:

 1. Grace is undeserved and unmerited favor. It is God's sovereign goodness and kindness toward us.
2. Grace is a divine enablement and strength. It is a transforming, enabling power.

 I want to deal with the second definition that says grace is a divine enablement. This definition speaks of grace as a substance that God deposits into us when we are in need. The bible says, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need" (Heb. 4:16).

 Grace is the only thing that transforms our lives, and unless God gives us His grace everything stays the same. It is only the grace of God that keeps our hearts free from bitterness. In fact grace keeps our emotions in check. ...For it is good that the heart be established by grace (Heb 13:9)

The grace of God changes us...The bible says, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect. No I worked harder than all of them yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me" (1 Cor.15:10).  

 Grace is given in times of need..."Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16). God faithfully pours grace into our lives when we are under pressure if we call upon Him and keep our attitudes right.

 Grace is given only to the humble..."But He gives more grace. Therefore He says; "'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble"(James 4:6)."Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to elders. Yes all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourself under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time" (1 Pet. 5:5-6). "Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble" (Pro.3:34). Thee is always a reason some receive grace, but others don't. Noah found grace in God's sight and was preserved in judgment. Others were not. Our attitude determines whether or not we receive grace. By hardening the heart people resist God, therefore CUTTING OFF THE FLOW OF GRACE.

 Many times in Scripture God describes us as vessels. We were created with a void that could only be filled by Him. What we allow to be poured into us determines whether we are good vessels or bad vessels. Whatever is poured into us saturates our entire being. This is why the bible instructs us to be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT. What you are filled with will come out of you. 

 This is why it is so important to keep our hearts free from bitterness, in doing that we are open to receive the grace to forgive. The bibles talks about how once bitterness springs up and takes root it defiles us. Once this happens we put a lid on the vessel stopping anything from coming in and we also stop things from coming out. 

 Grace is so much more than unmerited favor Often in God's Word, grace means divine enablement or power. 

 Rely on this precious gift that He has given us to do what He has called us to do, and expect God to move through you in a mighty way.

 Be blessed



















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