MUCH MORE!

Grace is MUCH MORE than forgiveness. We have been taught that grace is simply unmerited favor. If grace is only “unmerited favor” then why does God give it only to the humble? If Grace is only “unmerited favor” then why can you fall from grace? If Grace is just “unmerited favor” then why does the Bible say that the grace of God was upon Jesus (and he was sinless)? This word grace is translated not only means "unmerited favor," but really carries the deeper meaning of "an influence that produces a result." Another way of saying it is grace is supernatural enablement. That puts a whole different light on things. GRACE IS GREATER than what you think. You are not just released from a penalty but from sin’s power through grace! 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. In this instance, you can see that the scripture itself defines grace as God’s power. And here is an example of grace as your teacher: Titus 2:11-12 says, “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age..." Do you see that? Grace, not Law, teaches us to say no to ungodliness. Grace isn’t permission to be worldly. It’s your Teacher empowering you to escape anything immoral. To sum it up, grace is: 1)God’s favor 2)God’s power 3)Your teacher Wherever you have saw the word grace in the Bible, now go back and read it with a livelier view, knowing that grace is the empowering presence of God enabling you to be who God created you to be, and to do what God has called you to do - right where you are. What’s amazing about grace is that it has already been bestowed to you through Jesus. It’s a gift you should embrace NOW. Law was not given in the expectation that we would keep it. It was given in the full knowledge that we would break it; and when we have broken it so completely that we are convinced of our utter need, then the Law has served its purpose. It has been our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that He Himself may fulfill it in us. What does it mean to be delivered from the law? It means that I am henceforth no longer going to try to do anything to please God; for if I do, then I immediately place myself under the law. But I put my trust in Christ, the only Law-fulfiller. And finally, I see that this alone is what is pleasing to God (Matt. 5:17). This is deliverance from the law!