Grace Undersold & Now Revealed
We all know very well that Grace is unmerited favor from God. Many of us have heard that all our life.
What is grace that is used in 2 cor 12:9 in Red s
2 Cor 12:9
9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”
Paul was beseeching God ( v8 ) That a devils servant would leave Him alone when God spoke this and is why it is in red. Interestingly enough it might depart is translated aposee (868) strongs
Grace used by God is Charis and we mostly looked at how the king James translated it. (acceptable, benefit, favor, gift while its counterpart word charisma means a gratuity, deliverance (from danger or passion) but both Charis and charisma say specifically endowment and charisma says a miraculous faculty a and Charis calls it the divine influence upon the heart and it reflection in the life.
We can see the attributes most commonly taught but we see a divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life as an endowment or miraculous quality.
Let’s see examples of Grace and apply the full definition of grace in old and New Testament.
Esther 2:16-17…Here Ester has the favor of God on her and her life and gains the favor of those around her.
Jeremiah 31:2-3 We find God having helped those in the wilderness through mercy because of a promise. We can find many of these two examples in the Old Testament and those who had these qualities like Saul, Moses, Elijah, Elisha job, and many many more but they displayed the power side of grace as well As displaying full grace.
Acts 15:39- 40 Here we see Grace as something sought after and prayed for by Paul and Silas and others praying it on them. Shown as favor, mercy and whatever the need is in the moment by Paul and Silace.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 We find God telling Paul that Gods grace is sufficient and made perfect in our human inabilities or weaknesses. Displaying every aspect as well from favor of God to the empowerment for the Gospel and everyday lifeif we read full chapter
Hebrews 4:6 we can walk confidently and go boldly before Gods throne of grace to receive mercy and to find Grace in the times of need.. The words “Times of need” cover all aspects in preaching the Gospel to everyday life. Times of need are those who realize they can do nothing on there own and full trust and rely on God for all things.
John 1:14 We see the Word (LOGOS) became flesh (Jesus, yeshua, joushua, the messiah)(not to be thrown around in vane or sound like a studier or better if you do you might as well call him jc for lack of reverence and fear) and dwelt among us and he was full of Gods Glory (Shakina) and was full of Grace and Truth and we are to be like Him to the world in attributes and mind.
Acts 4:33 We see the ones Jesus taught preaching with Power because Great grace was upon them.
Acts 11:22-24 We see that when Barnabas went to Antioch, Barnabas could see that Grace was upon them and was glad and told them to remain faithful and Barnabas was a good man full of the Holy Spirit and of Faith. How was it that this Grace could be seen and was on those full of the Holy Spirit and those also Full of Faith?
Acts 14:1-3 They are empowered to speak boldly to those against them (unbelievers and today we find this among those who say they believe) and display sign and wonders by their hands. Truth rejected.
John 1:15-17 John says we receive Christ fullness and receive it Grace upon Grace. It is learned by obedience and yielding to Him as Lord. He says Jesus came before him in rank and through Him and we have received the fullness for the Law was given through Moses but Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ.
Acts 20:32 We find that Grace is able to build us up (Jude reference building up your most holy faith) and give you the inheritance among those who are sanctified. (Grace for Grace the sanctification process in everyday life but done by the blood of the lamb (Jesus)(Word)(Logos) before the foundation of the world).
Romans 1:1-5 Lots of info as to Where and who is the bringer of this Grace. It also talks about how this grace helps us through the Spirit of holiness because of Jesus and his resurrection. It is by this we receive the grace of apostleship and to bring about the obedience of faith to all the nations. (The great commission)
Hebrews 12:15 Here we are told that a root of bitterness or unforgiveness will stand in the way of Grace. We see that we become defiled by this unforgiveness and instead of grace flowing out of our heart, bitterness and hate begin to flow and defile us if we allow it to rule us and our life and not repent. If we can not forgive then we shall not be forgiven. Our motives (our Hearts) change and are not pure and disobedience and often anger and resentment rule us!
Romas 3:20-24 We find that righteousness comes from apart from the law and the law and the Prophets bear witness to it. Righteousness is to those who believe in Jesus as Lord. ( ( but there is a reflection in the Life) The believer displays good fruit and turns in repentance of what is evil in Gods sight. This is the blood covering while we learn obedience unto all things subjected to Christ. (We have to remember and apply all scripture) What if we decide to cling to bitterness? What if we decide not to follow Jesus or turn to a religion or to not repent of sin or (apostate, fall away)? What if we decide to habitually display the fruit of the flesh and die?) Why does the bible warn us on these things?
Romans 5:1-2 We are Justified by Faith (believe) and that display fruit of peace and gain access to grace in order to stand while rejoicing in the Glory of God.
Romans 5:12-21 Here we plainly find What Jesus stands for and why He is the only way through His Love (agape) and Grace! All aspects of what grace is in these verses. We are Righteous through the blood of one and actions that lead to justification and “reign in life through one man Jesus Christ.”
Finally Ephesians 2: 4-9 We return to why Paul spoke the way he did . We can do nothing in our own ability. We can’t earn a thing by what we do but what we do shows our Love back to the one who made it available. Do we want to be well pleasing to our father? We cannot continue on in sin and be raised up for light and darkness cannot dwell together(God is light and the devil is dark, there no grey as grey different levels of darkness) and have no association with each other. This is why the warning about those who try to trample the cross. This is why the warning of those in Mathew 7, Hebrews 6 and why Jude( all directed to or about a church in some way or both) warns us to not fall away or apostatize in mat 7 and Jude ( fall from grace, reject Jesus, turn from the faith ( what saves us)) and so he tells us how to handle the book of revelation. God loves us first and the first sign of His power is that salvation but then He gives us more grace to be an overcomer in life. He then also gives us grace to show his love in life to others while showing him our love for Him by turning from what he hates and sharing his love to others in our life, empowering us to do that. Be careful to not fall for human philosophy as truth as many mix that with scripture. Stay pure and Holy and that’s the fullness of what Grace is and the Fullness of what Christ is. The bible tells us this will hapen and yes the church is at fault, the end result of this does lie on the indevidual as we are to study to show ourselves approved by God. In the end it is the responsibility of each and every person to seek and find the truth and to share the truth. We must fan in the flame and keep the fire of God burning.