“The very center and core of the whole Bible is the doctrine of the grace of God.”
–J. Gresham Machen
“Grace” is the most important concept in the Bible, Christianity, and the world. It is most clearly expressed in the promises of God revealed in Scripture and embodied in Jesus Christ.
Grace is the love of God shown to the unlovely; the peace of God given to the restless; the unmerited favor of God; meaning this month God is set to give you favor and mercy you don't deserve.
What is grace and what are some ways people have defined grace?
“Grace is free sovereign favor to the ill-deserving.”(B.B. Warfield)
“Grace is love that cares and stoops and rescues.”(John Stott)
“[Grace] is God reaching downward to people who are in rebellion against Him.”(Jerry Bridges)
“Grace is unconditional love toward a person who does not deserve it.” (Paul Zahl)
Grace is most needed and best understood in the midst of sin, suffering, and brokenness. We live in a world of earning, deserving, and merit, and these result in judgment. That is why everyone wants and needs grace. Judgment kills. Only grace makes alive.
A shorthand for what grace is - “mercy, not merit.” Grace is the opposite of karma, which is all about getting what you deserve. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve, and not getting what you do deserve. Christianity teaches that what we deserve is death with no hope of resurrection.
While everyone desperately needs it, grace is not about us. Grace is fundamentally a word about God: his un-coerced initiative and pervasive, extravagant demonstrations of care and favor. Michael Horton writes, “In grace, God gives nothing less than Himself. Grace, then, is not a third thing or substance mediating between God and sinners, but is Jesus Christ in redeeming action.”
Demostration of Grace.
B1 cor 15: 9-10
For I am the least of the Apostles, having no right to be named an Apostle, because of my cruel attacks on the church of God.
10 But by the grace of God, I am what I am: and his grace which was given to me has not been for nothing; for I did more work than all of them; though not I, but the grace of God which was with me
( 1 Corinthians 15:10 (NIRV) But because of God's grace I am what I am. And his grace was not wasted on me. No, I have worked harder than all the other apostles. But I didn't do the work. God's grace was with me.)
1. Grace frees you. John 8:36
If then the son makes you free, you will be truly free.
2. Grace forgives you. Ephesians 1:7
In whom we have salvation through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins, through the wealth of his grace,
3. Grace blesses You. Rom 8:32
He who did not keep back his only Son, but gave him up for us all, will he not with him freely give us all things?
4. Grace transforms you.Ezekiel 11:19
And I will give them a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in them; and I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh:
5. Grace empowers you. Rom 12:6-8
And having different qualities by reason of the grace given to us, such as the quality of a prophet, let it be made use of in relation to the measure of our faith;
7 Or the position of a Deacon of the church, let a man give himself to it; or he who has the power of teaching, let him make use of it;
8 He who has the power of comforting, let him do so; he who gives, let him give freely; he who has the power of ruling, let him do it with a serious mind; he who has mercy on others, let it be with joy.
Glory Place Assembly
(Gofamint)
Emiloju bus stop, Saraki
Bible study; September 2020
Lesson 2
Topic: Grace and Glory.
Sub topic; The Place of Grace in Glory.
Text;
Message:
Last we lesson we learnt about Grace a little but we learn further today so that we may enjoy the fullness of God's plane for us.
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