The Grace of God

When we take a closer look at Grace we tend to realize that Grace is multi-dimensional and when we are cognizant of this it helps us understand how to interpret and view Grace in scripture and also see its work in our lives.

There are 131 uses of grace in the ESV — 124 in the New Testament, 86 of which are from Apostle Paul, which means two-thirds of all the uses of the word grace in the Bible are in one author, this I believe warrants us to take a closer look at Grace for more understanding. As we come into our walk with Christ at the born again experience, Grace comes and embraces us - we are then catapulted into a dimension of unreserved love; it is in this Paul says in Ephesians 8:2-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.

Grace is a gift of God given to us out of the abundance of his love and after we comprehend this, we see one of the key characteristics of Grace outlined for us in its definition: Grace = Unmerited Favour, it is unmerited, we did not work for it, it cannot be bought and from all these expositions we see that the Grace received at the born again experience is classified as Saving Grace.

"Grace = Unmerited Favour"

One more aspect of Grace we need to look at is found in the book of Titus: 2:11-12 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. This Grace is termed as Sanctifying Grace The word sanctify simply means “to make holy,” but not in a holier-than-thou sort of way. Instead, God’s sanctifying grace shapes us more and more into the likeness of Christ.

Another dimension of Grace is called Serving Grace and we see Peter outline this Grace to us in 1 Peter 4:10 "As every man hath received the gift, even so, minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. This Grace equips us to serve others from the multitude of gifts God has bestowed upon our lives i.e. the various Gifts of the Spirit.

In times of trial and suffering God has made provision for us in another dimension of his Grace which is Sustaining Grace, Jesus says in 2 Corinthians 12:19 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” the Bible further says, in Hebrews 4:16 “Let us, therefore, draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need”

Looking at the believer we see that results in this Kingdom do not come by intentions alone it takes the energizing of the spirit and this comes through the channel of particular Graces - the Grace for a particular result must be upon you in order for you to see the manifestation. 2 Corinthians 9:8 says “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." Paul is saying and acknowledging that the possibilities and results we produce are traceable to the kind, the dimension, and the level of Grace at work in our lives.

Apostle Joshua Selman puts it in this way “Every dimension in the spirit has a grace allocated for that possibility, there is a Grace that produces speed, there is a Grace that produces restoration, there is a Grace that provides influence there is a Grace that produces favor there is a Grace that compels generations to hear your voice.”

The beauty about all of this is that the Grace is available in Christ since he is able to make ALL GRACE abound towards us.

In conclusion with our own strength and abilities, we can sometimes do the possible, but God’s grace empowers us to do the impossible. Truly, it seems God always calls us to do the impossible – but with His grace working in our lives, the impossible becomes reality.

May the Grace of the Lord overflow in your life to an extent that others come and draw from the overflow in you.

You are a winner Shalom: Kay King