THANK GOD FOR GRACE - PART 2
TUESDAY 18 JULY 2023
The Greek word for GRACE presents an ambiguity, which suggests that it was interpreted in several or different ways; at least five different ways, but the good news is that they are all vitally important because they render rewarding connotations in their descriptive fashions.
Although the definition reveals lack of preciseness, meaning that the word, "grace" is open to more than one interpretation, the denotations are mostly indicative of wellness, joy, and favour, yet they are all imperative, because all the interpretations point to one person, namely Christ.
For instance, grace is from the Latin word, gratia, meaning favour, charm, charisma or thanks. But here's the main point: They are authorised descriptions that concur with God's standard of unfailing love or the demonstration of His loving-kindness in adopting us in Christ. More below!
Reference: New Living Translation (NLT) "So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son."
The GRACE of God is a life that finds expression through the Spirit. When I mention about a divine influence upon a man's life with a charming quality, which exerts joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, loveliness, favour and comeliness, that's the true definition of Jesus Christ who attracted all of us to God by His obedience unto death. Got it? To that effect, John 6:44 reads, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws Him...(NIV). That's the grace at work on earth today.
For instance, when you see churches and ministries saving souls, understand that Christ is the one attracting people to Himself. He draws many to Himself. Jesus Himself said, "And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself." Then watch this: The next verse noted, "He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die" (John 12:32-33 NIV). What kind of death? Hanging on the cross (Crucifixion) that brought the salvation of mankind.
Grace is unconditional love in operation. It is that gift from God (Christ) which influences us in an inexorable manner. Christ brings favour and sweetness into our lives because we have received Him, as our charisma. Got it. Notably, in Greek Grammer, charisma is the gift of grace, which is from God, and it denotes favour freely given.
Now watch this: Ephesians 2:4-5 (CEB) reads, "But God's mercy is great, and He loved us very much. Though we were spiritually dead because of the things we did against God, He gave us new life with Christ. You have been saved by God's grace." I want to draw and focus your attention on the key phrase here, which is "He gave us new life with Christ", meaning that Christ represents the charisma He exerted to grant us new life. Then He mentioned the name of the charisma, which is GRACE (You have been saved by God's grace).
I noted earlier that grace is an unconditional love in operation. Titus 2:11 reads, "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people" (NIV). Why did Paul the apostle use the expression, "grace has appeared to all men." This is because GRACE is a person. The Bible says, "And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth" (John 1:14 AMPC).
At the fullness of time, grace appeared. He appeared to do what? Galatians 4:4-5 reads, "But when the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children" (NLT). According to the book of Galatians, He appeared to free us from the law? Which law? The law of sin and death. To that effect, Romans 8:1-2 reads, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life, set you free from the law of sin and death" (NIV).
Beloved, through Christ Jesus (Grace personification), the law of the Spirit who gives life, has set us free from the law of sin and death. Stay tuned for part 3. Shalom!
Scripture Reading - John 1:16-17; Romans 5:20-21; Hebrews 4:16; Romans 6:14.
Exuberant Declaration: I function under divine grace on account of Christ's death, resurrection and victory, and I'm furnished with all the benefits it bestows. Blessed be God!
