2 Corinthians 4:15
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is extending to more and more people may overflow in thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 5485
Grace: kindness
God freely extending Himself, His favor, His lovingkindess, to the people He wants to bless with His presence;
a gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ
From the Greek word 'charis' (pronounced khar'-ece)
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4121
Extending: Existing in Abundance, Multiplication, Causing to Increase
From the Greek word 'pleonazó' (pronounced pleh-on-ad'-zo), used on a personal level: I have more than enough; I abound, increase
FAVOR OF GOD
Genesis 6:8
Noah, however, found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
Luke 1:30
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for you have found favor with God.
GRACE INCREASED
Romans 5:19-21
(19) For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
(20) The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
(21) so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Timothy 1:13-14
(13) I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.
(14) And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Grace still overflows to us all. For Christ has only walked this earth once, on His arrival in the flesh and during His ministry; also, after His resurrection. Then He ascended into heaven to be with His Father until such time as *God sends His Son back to earth, *in the twinkling of an eye, *to gather up the faithful and bring them back to His heavenly home.
*God will send Jesus back briefly: Matthew 24:36 "But concerning that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels of the heavens, nor the Son, except the Father only."
*In the twinkling of an eye: 1 Corinthians 15:52 "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
*Gathering the faithful: 1 Thessalonians 4:15 "By the Word of the Lord, we declare to you that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep."
What Is Grace To Us?
Grace is unmerited favor. We have done nothing to deserve God's grace. No matter how good we think we are, regardless of our church attendance, the number of times we are kind to one another, nor when retreated from the noise of the world to a contemplative lifestyle, we will not enter God's grace.
For His Grace is an extension of Himself to a people He calls to His side. If the people He calls to be near Him, don't want to be near Him, then they will not receive His Grace. And without His Grace it will be impossible to be in His eternal presence for any length of time.
God's Grace is Jesus Christ. It is the power of God flowing through the faith of we who believe in the Name of Jesus Christ for our salvation.
GRACE IS THE GIFT OF GOD
Ephesians 2:8-10
(8) For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
(9) not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
(10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
GRACE IS UNDESERVED FAVOR
Romans 5:6, 8
(6) For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
(8) But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
GRACE IS SALVATION APPLIED
Psalm 85:9
Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land.
John 3:17, 18
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
GRACE ALLOWS US TO LOVE THE UNLOVABLE
Luke 6:31-35
(31) Do to others as you would have them do to you.
(32) If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.
(33) If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.
(34) And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.
(35) But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
Luke 6:36
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Dear God, my heavenly Father,
Thank You for showing me Your Grace. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness that I may be found worthy in Your sight. Fill me with more of Your Holy Spirit that there may be room for no one and nothing else but You.
Continue to fill me with Your Love & Mercy that I may be filled to overflowing and bless those around me wherever I may be or however far my feet may take me. May I forgive as freely as You forgive. Shine Your Light through me so that all who look towards me see only You.
I pray, Lord, that Your Grace may abound within me, pouring out from heart, through my mouth and into the hearing and sight of anyone I may come into contact with.
Be glorified, Lord, by my doings and my words.
In Jesus' Beautiful Name, I pray,
Amen
