Empowering Grace
Empowering Grace
John says in chapter 1:16 that of his (Jesus) fullness, (abundance) we have all received, we all have a share in and we were all supplied with) one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift (heaped) upon gift. Meaning Jesus was full of grace and out of His fullness of grace we in Him, have all received grace after grace, grace upon grace! We have an unlimited supply, a reservoir of this supernatural gift of grace. Out of His love grace is granted. Romans 5:17 says we received abundant provision of it. Ephesians 2:8-9 says for by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works that no one may boast. One cannot earn the love of God to receive His grace to be saved. It’s about His goodness that we are given grace to be saved and kept through continued release of His goodness!
The gospel is described as the gospel of grace in Acts 14:3. It also says the word of His grace in chapter 20. The Greek word for grace is –charisomai- meaning to grant favor, in kindness, in rescue, to deliver, forgive, to give freely. The root word means to be gracious, a divine influence on the heart and the reflection in the life of one, with a gratitude, benefit, gift, joy, liberally, pleasure and thankworthy.
The original Greek word for grace was a military term. When an emperor came to his throne or celebrated a special day he would give his troops a donation or (charisma), which was a free grant of money. This gift they did not earn but out of the goodness of the emperor’s heart it was given. It was undeserved. Romans 3:24 says thanks be to God’s gift of undeserved grace, He freely accepts us and sets us free from sin. Grace would cease to be grace if God is compelled to bestow it because of human merit, He would then be a respecter of persons. It is His goodness and sovereign purpose for humanity. He is love and His nature is to give.
Grace empowers followers of Christ. According to scripture it brings salvation, glory, supplication, truth, power and even peace to name a few. (eph.2:8, Ps 84:11, Zech 12:10, John 1:14, Acts 6:8). Grace is sufficient for us in our weakness; Paul said it brought the power of Christ in weakness. Out of the free gift of grace through Christ it overflowed too many. Grace covers us our unrighteousness, our weaknesses. Paul opens up many of his letters releasing it to the churches. Why? He understood it quite well being knocked off his horse and blinded 3 days! Grace stopped him from his rebellious life style working against the Lord. Not all hard places are the work of the enemy! Paul calls this a glorious grace. It was undeserved but it was granted to him because of the Lords love and purpose for His life.
Grace will empower one to do all they are called to do. It is an inner strength of Holy Spirit power and release when we cooperate with it. I embrace it fully by walking in right relationship with my Lord, by accepting His forgiveness for me and forgiving myself of weakness. Right relationship is an attitude of the heart; if not careful we can make it so difficult and religious. It is a lifestyle of repentance as Holy Spirit deals with my attitude and behaviors that are unpleasing to Him. One should value and respect grace and appreciate it, not cheapen it by continued sin and rebellion either. That would be foolish, the Word says do we continue to sin that grace abounds? It says God forbid!
One must understand we are what we are by the grace of God, everything we have and what we do is because of Christ in us. Obedience releases this empowerment. When I say yes to Him, His grace is released to do anything He asks of me. It’s in a hard place that His grace will release great victory. Walking in a lifestyle of repentance with oneself and one another will keep it flowing freely. This lifestyle will keep one free of pride and walking in humility.
Amazingly 2Tim 1:8-10 Paul says to join with me in suffering for the gospel, according to the power of God. Who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His purpose and grace which was granted in Christ Jesus before the world began, throughout eternity. Wow! We were packaged with a plan of empowerment called grace, the Lord’s favor toward us and His ability to work through us to do all He has purposed us to do. Before I got my body I was predestined and purposed in Him. His grace activates my purpose. We are without excuse to finish our race set before us. Grace is available in every hard place of weakness, affliction or trial. We truly are more than conqueror’s through Christ who saved us. Today if you are struggling with weakness or hopelessness in life, embrace grace, ask the Father to release more to you in that area. It is available to all and freely given because of His love for us. Continue a forward motion and grace will continually be released!