Grace and true forgiveness

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Permalink Reply by mbongeni on May 16, 2012 at 12:49am

THE GRACE OF GOD

IS WHAT WE RECEIVE THROUGH CHRIST

What is Grace? That is the real question. We can define the meaning of Grace, yet never really know what Grace actually consist of. We know that it is the favor of God. We know that it is something that we have not deserved. We know that it possesses the opportunities for our salvation and redemption from sin. We need to know what Grace embraces.

Without Christ Jesus, we would not have the Grace of God. The Grace of God comes only through Jesus Christ and the sacrifice that He made on the cross. Without that sacrifice who could ever know or receive the Grace of God.

A fact that all agree on is that we cannot by ourselves or through our own means obtain the favor of God. Man cannot forgive himself of his sins. No work done by man alone can ever remove one sin, or gain eternal salvation. This was the point that Paul was making in that most famous verse.

Eph. 2:8"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"

It is by Grace that we are saved. It is not by anything that we have done apart form God's word. Paul tells us that it is the "gift of God." Grace, then,is the "gift of God." If we know what the "gift of God" is, then we shall know how we can obtain the benefits of the Grace of God.

The gift of God was Jesus Christ. Through Christ, God has shown His love, favor and mercy toward humanity. Through Christ we have the hope of salvation. We see this from the words of our Lord to the woman at the well in Samaria.

"Jesusanswered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water." (John 4:10)

Some would limit this Grace of God only to those who were elected to salvation. Those who are elected, or the "Elect," refers to a doctrine thatteaches that a select few were elected to salvation before the world wascreated. This is contrary to the scheme of God's redemption for humanity. God's grace, which comes through Jesus Christ is extended to all, not just to a select few. Paul taught that "the Grace of God brings salvation"(Titus 2:11). We all agree with this statement. Yet, Paul continues by saying, "hath appeared to all men." This Grace is not limited. It hasappeared so that all men might have an opportunity for salvation. The word"appeared" means, "to become visible," or "to be seen." How did God's Grace "appear" to all men? It has appeared through the birth, life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Although the Grace of God has appeared to all men, this does not imply that all men are saved. It means that all possess an opportunity to take advantage of the gift of God, which is Jesus Christ. Our salvation comes through our faith in Him, when we do what Grace demands.

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Permalink Reply by Tammy on May 20, 2012 at 4:56pm

I experience this every single day of my life with my son. Oh that if he would give up the world & grab a hold of Christ & His salvation.

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Permalink Reply by feet breath on May 20, 2012 at 5:11pm

He got a nickname? Nicknames help me to know who to pray for.

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Permalink Reply by Tammy on May 21, 2012 at 12:18am

Just remember the first name of the New Testament - Matthew. We call him Matt

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Permalink Reply by feet breath on May 21, 2012 at 5:48am

Thanks that shouldn't be hard to remember. Matt. :)

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Permalink Reply by Colby on December 19, 2012 at 10:41pm

        God’s Word is clear about salvation: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast,” says the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:8-9.
        “It [salvation] does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy” (Romans 9:16) and “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law” (Romans 3:28).

        Salvation is by faith alone, through grace alone, in Jesus Christ alone. There is nothing you or I can do to merit or sustain our salvation, which is God’s gift to us. He gets all of the credit; we contribute or add nothing.
        This sounds simple enough, doesn’t it?  Most Christians have committed Ephesians 2.8-9 to memory.

        God's plan of salvation is simple.   There are no ifs,ands or buts; no disclaimers or qualifying statements in fine print.  Still, many who hear the saving Gospel message of Jesus Christ are skeptical, at least initially.  They're sure that there has to be a "catch,"  but the Holy Bible assures us there isn't one.

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