THE GRACE OF GOD

The word ‘grace’ has been defined as unmerited, unearned, and undeserved favour of God. This is a good and true definition, but it doesn’t show the picture of the grace of God.

Another definition is giving; as the power that God willingly gives us to help us do what we could never do alone. This definition is also wonderful and correct but doesn’t show the full picture of God’s grace.

In my opinion, the grace of God is the entirety of our Christian faith. As far as, you are a believer in Christ Jesus, you are operating under the grace of God. The wholeness of our faith is anchored on the grace of God.

Let us use the word of God to give meaning to the Grace of God. In 1 cor 1:14 (NIV), Paul thanked God because the Grace of God was given to us in Christ Jesus. Titus 2:11 (NLT) shows us what was given. “The Grace of God has been revealed bringing salvation to all people.”  Our Christianity is centered on salvation. Eph 1:6-7 (NKJV) shows us that by the Grace of God, we have been accepted into his beloved. Who is this beloved? Matt 3:17. At the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist a voice came from heaven saying “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” God by his grace has accepted us to be like his son “His beloved”.

In verse 7; it says “it is through Jesus we have redemption through his blood plus the forgiveness of sins and this is by his grace”. (Paraphrase)

Our redemption through his blood is a very deep subject, but I will bring out few points to illustrate.

We have been redeemed from the curse of the law. Gal 3:13-14, 29. “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

The curse of the law was obtained by disobeying the Ten Commandments or the Law of God. Deut 28:15-22, 27-29, 35, 58-61. The curse of the law is in threefold: Poverty, Sickness and Spiritual death. Let’s look at each of briefly.

Redemption from the curse of poverty: As a believer in Christ Jesus you have been redeemed from the curse of poverty. Gal 3:13-14, 29. Jesus has redeemed us from the curse of poverty because he was made a curse for us, through him we shall receive the blessings of Abraham. God blessed Abraham with riches, and riches of Abraham are ours. 2 Cor 8:9 shows us the grace of our Lord, though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make us rich. Also see Phil 4:19, Matt 6:33, Hag 2:8, Ps 50:10.

Redemption from the curse of sickness: When the children of Israel sinned against God, he permitted sickness to come to their dwelling. By the Grace of God, Jesus came to redeem us from the curse of sickness. Gal 3:13. In the four gospels, we saw how Jesus went about healing all manner of sickness Act 10:38. He is the same today Heb 13:8. Also see Isa 53:4-5, Matt 8:17, 1Pet 2:24.

Redemption from the curse of spiritual death: In Gen 2:17, God told Adam that the day he eats of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, he shall die. In Gen 3:22-24; Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the fruit. This caused separation between Man and God.

Since God is source of our life,  we became dead. No wonder Jesus said he is the vine and we are the branches; it is through him we have life. As a result of this death we became slave to sin and death. Thank God for his grace, he sent Jesus who redeemed us from death,  and now we have eternal life. John 3:16, 5:24, Eph 2:5.

Let us look at the other part of our Salvation package in Eph 1:7. Through Jesus we have forgiveness of sin by the grace of God. The one thing that separates us from God is sin,  and Jesus paid that price at the cross of Calvary.

Heb 10:10 (NLT) “For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Christ Jesus once for all time”. Please take note of the “Once for all time”. In Verse 14, it says “For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy”. We are made perfect forever. Amen. In Verse 17, it says “I will never again remember your sins and lawless deeds”. He will never ever remember them; our sins do not exist. For this reason; in Verse 19, “We can boldly heaven’s Most Holy place because of the blood of Jesus”. The holies of holies is where the ark of covenant was placed. The holiest place in the world in the old covenant. The high priests at the time would be killed if he enters it and God finds him unworthy. Now because of the blood of Jesus, we are asked to come boldly into the holiest place of heaven. In Verse 22, (NKJV) “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that Faith brings, (because the blood of Jesus has) sprinkled our heart from all evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water”. Now this is part I love the most. In Verse 23 (NLT) “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise”. Therefore because of the blood of Jesus, we can come to the holies of holies of heaven with boldness; knowing fully well that our sins are forgiven and our evil conscience cleared (remembered no more); trusting faithfully that God, who has promised, is faithful to keep it.

This is all by the Grace of God. God has given us this gift not because we have earned it. Now, no one can boast that he is saved or righteous by his efforts. Eph 2:9.

The Grace of God doesn’t end here, we will look into other definition of God’s grace as it encompasses our Christian faith in the next episode.

Written by Chuks