BIBLICAL GRACE

Lesson 1

What Is The Grace Of God?

• Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)  – Ephesians 2:5

• Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  – 2 Timothy 2:1

• . . . For it is a good thing that heart be established in grace;  – Hebrews 13:9b

Grace is one of the greatest things to be desired, sought out, and obtained by a Christian. Yet the definition and concept of grace is often elusive and hard for some Christians to pinpoint. We need to know what the grace of God is and how to take advantage of it if we are to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” and have our “heart established in grace.”

GRACE DEFINED

God’s grace can be found in both Old and New Testaments. It is not just limited to the church age. Noah, Moses, Gideon, and others obtained grace from the LORD. They did this through humility. Grace is only given to the humble (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). God resists arrogance.

The Hebrew word translated grace means: to find favor in the eyes of someone, to be precious; acceptance, charm.

The Greek word translated grace means: good will, loving kindness, favor, kindness which bestows upon one that which he has not deserved.

The Greek root for grace means cheerfulnes; to rejoice and be well and thrive. Though we may not understand grace, if we are joyful and cheerful and are thriving, it is most assuredly working in our life. Grace in your life will make you full of joy no matter the situation.

Other definitions for grace:

• • • Heaven’s help

    • God’s power working in and through you to accomplish what you cannot do yourself

    • Unmerited favor

    • A special endowment for the task at hand

We see from the original texts that grace is favor given even when it is unmerited or undeserved. And as something given, it must also by definition be received. Not every Christian knows how to receive grace. And if you do not know how to receive grace for yourself you will not be able to give grace to others.

GRACE COMES FROM JESUS CHRIST

• And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.  – John 1:16-17

Grace, as a religious concept, is entirely unique to Christianity. No other religion offers it to its adherents. That is because all other religions are false and there is no salvation but by Jesus Christ and His grace.

SAVING GRACE

The first work of grace that we need to understand is eternal salvation. God redeeming us when we were unworthy and unable to redeem ourselves is a demonstration of unmerited favor and loving-kindness. This is the first work of grace in our Christian lives.

• 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.  – Ephesians 2:8-9

• For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  – Romans 3:23-24

• For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  – Titus 2:11

These verses show us how salvation is by grace, that is to say, we obtained favor of God when we did not deserve it and He gave us Heaven’s help. Salvation cannot be earned. Grace cannot be earned. It is freely given of God. This is the definition of grace.

THE ELECTION OF GRACE

God selects people based on their humility. This is called the “election of grace.” Many are called but only a few are chosen. If God resists the proud and only answers those that cry out to Him, then humility is what is key to being picked by God.

• Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.  – Romans 11:5-6

God’s remnant people are those that hunger for Him and cry out for Him. This kind of heart is rewarded with abundant grace. God only selects people with grace on their life. All others are resisted until they humble themselves.

Let Us find grace!!

Scripture: Titus 3:7