The Word became flesh and dwelt among us full of grace and truth…..and from his fullness have we all received grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. [John 1:14-17]
Grace was the first thing Jesus Christ brought to us. It is the first thing we must receive from Him. There is no salvation without grace. There is no eternal life without salvation. There is no grace without Jesus Christ as grace came through Him.
Grace is the central foundation of the new covenant to which we are privileged to be part of. Grace introduces us to the covenant and the covenant keeper Himself. We believe Him because we have received the grace He brought (mark you; we have received grace upon grace).
Prophets enquired and searched diligently and prophesied of the grace that should come unto you. …The angels desired to look into these things. But it was revealed that it was not unto themselves but unto us they ministered. [1 Peter 1:10]
There was something exceptional about the second covenant which the prophets for saw. It had not been there before. It was something of great delight such that even the angels were envious of it. It was the grace that was to come to us! They would crave to gather every niche of it and try to understand the timing and the targeted people. It must have saddened them that they were only ministers to us! Friends, when Jesus Christ the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of men appeared, he came with it; the grace. Grace is the reason for His blood!
I have identified three effects of grace in our lives:
1. It is not only His unmerited favor; it is His divine enablement to respond to Him in faith.
For by the grace of God you have been saved through faith; and it is not your own doing, it is the gift of God (Not because of works, lest any man should boast). [Eph. 2: 8-9]
Our first response to God is accepting the salvation through Jesus Christ. Our response is by believing in His only Son sent to us by the Father. This reconciliation never takes place without the involvement of Grace. When we receive and understand grace in our lives, there is no boasting. If salvation was given because of works/doing, then it would not be a gift but a reward. Faith makes the transition of grace into our lives possible. What have you that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift? – [1Cor. 4:7]
2. Grace has the power to help us lead holy lives!
The grace of God has appeared for the salvation of all men, training us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world;…[Titus 2:11]
Therefore, when we stand and not fall in temptations, it is because of the grace of God that operates/functions in our lives. It is not our own doing. Friends, do you have a desire to be righteous and godly in the midst of this notorious fading world; learn to receive and allow the grace. It appears meek, but this is our heritage that brings great victory. It cannot be discerned through our carnal mind but spiritually. Believe it; it is by the grace of God that we have the ability to say no to all ungodliness and worldly lusts!
3. Grace lifts us up in weaknesses and tribulations
…but he [LORD] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” [2 Cor. 12:9]
Paul, the chief apostle, declared that he will more gladly boast of his weaknesses, that the power of Christ (the grace of God) may rest upon him. Grace is power in other words and the owner is able to supply sufficiently. Brothers and sisters, whatever weakening situation or challenge you find yourself in; God, the mighty God, is strong on your behalf. You ought to arm yourself with that understanding, “let the weak say I am strong.” We shall be afflicted and be in moments of weaknesses; it is a guarantee. But count on His grace and His power shall be made perfect in your weakness! Amazing!
In conclusion friends, if we boast of the finished work at the cross, we gladly invite the grace and its sufficiency to operate in our lives. When we disregard his grace (by being religious or by living in enmity with the cross), we are not only proud but expose ourselves to judgment and wrath, which comes into the world to the sons of disobedience.
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