IT IS ALL BY HIS GRACE

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We are saved by grace, we grow in grace, we are taught by grace, it is by grace that we are enabled to do what we have been called to do. God has given to each one of us different giftings and graces to go with them. God's grace is with us all the way and as the old song so beautifully sums it up, “‘Tis grace that’s brought me thus far and grace will lead me home”! Grace is God’s unearned, unmerited favor.  

The Word of God declares that there is no one righteous, no not one. Our own righteousness, however well packaged, is like filthy rags before God. The bottom line is we cannot save ourselves from the penalty of sin which is death – an extremely torturous eternal separation from God in a place called hell. The Good News is, hell doesn't have to be your destiny; God loves you and has made a way for you to eternally live in His presence.

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. – John 3:16 NKJV

That’s the very reason why Jesus came – to SAVE US and we receive this salvation and eternal life by BELIEVING IN HIM and in WHAT HE HAS DONE. We are saved by God’s grace, through faith, as the Word declares:

⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV       

There you have it, our salvation is by grace alone, we cannot contribute any of our efforts to it, we cannot earn it; it is a GIFT from God to be received by faith, period! And that offends the flesh, that offends the religious mindset which would rather have us feeling like we are contributing towards our own salvation, but nothing could be further from the truth. We cannot add to the perfect, finished work of Christ, try as we may, to try to do so is an insult to the Spirit of Grace.

All we can do is receive this wonderful gift of Salvation by faith, as we believe and confess Jesus according to Romans 10:8-10. Jesus took the sins of the whole world (John 1:29) Salvation is available for the entire human race but it is NOT automatic, everyone has to make that all important decision to believe in Jesus, God loves you so much but He will not violate your right to choose. He didn't do it in the garden, He’s not going to start now, God is consistent. Repent and believe in Jesus today!

Now, chances are, someone might conclude that grace results in believers doing nothing, since anything one does will be “works”, but such a view is incompatible with what the grace of God produces in the lives of the saints. A cursory look at the life of the Apostle Paul, the greatest grace preacher of the early church, will attest to this truth. The Apostle Paul wasn't bashful about what the grace of God had accomplished in and through him. This is what He said:

⁹ For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. – 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 NKJV

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God’s grace in the life of a believer results in supernatural effectiveness. As you rest in God’s grace, you will find yourself growing in Christlikeness and being much more effective than if you tried following a set of man-made rules. You will have fresh appreciate for what the apostle Paul meant when he said, “it is no longer I that liveth but Christ…” and your life will glorify God.

Receive the grace of God today and let it empower you to be effective in the Kingdom. His grace is sufficient and He is extending it to you today, receive it!