GOD'S GRACE

WHAT IS GRACE?

The word translated "grace" in the New Testament comes from the Greek word charis, which means “favor, blessing, or kindness.” We can all extend grace to others; but when the word grace is used in connection with God, it takes on a more powerful meaning. Grace is God choosing to bless us rather than curse us as our sin deserves. It is His benevolence to the undeserving.

Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves.” The only way any of us can enter into a relationship with God is because of His grace toward us. Grace began in the Garden of Eden when God killed an animal to cover the sin of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21). He could have killed the first humans right then for their disobedience. But rather than destroy them, He chose to make a way for them to be right with Him. That pattern of grace continued throughout the Old Testament when God instituted blood sacrifices as a means to atone for sinful men. It was not the physical blood of those sacrifices, per se, that cleansed sinners; it was the grace of God that forgave those who trusted in Him (Hebrews 10:4; Genesis 15:6). Sinful men showed their faith by offering the sacrifices that God required.

An accurate, common definition describes grace as the unmerited favor of God toward man. In the Old Testament, the term that most often is translated "grace, " is hen [ej]; in the New Testament, it is charis [cavri"].
Also, in Genesis 6:8. Noah finds "favor in the eyes of the Lord." The context is that the Lord was grieved at "how great man's wickedness on the earth had become" ( Gen 6:5)

This statement about the Lord's antipathy toward man is followed by his promise that he will wipe humankind from the face of the earth, that is, completely destroy him, because of his anger at their condition. Noah is then described as having found favor in the eyes of the Lord. The themes of judgment and salvation, in which the vast majority of humankind are condemned to destruction, while God finds favor on a few (Noah and his family), reoccurs often in connection with the idea of grace. Hence, concepts of election, salvation, mercy, and forgiveness are all linked in this first illustration of grace in the Old Testament. Interestingly, the rest of the references to favor in Genesis all describe favor in the eyes of man (e.g., Jacob begging Esau's favor, 32:5 ; Genesis 33:8 Genesis 33:10 Genesis 33:15 )

WHAT GOD'S GRACE DO FOR US

God's grace redeem us! (Titus 2:11 & 14a)

Ephesians 2, Paul gave a condensed but comprehensive account of salvation. Verses 4-7 are a single long sentence, which he may have taken from an early Christian creed. The whole sentence hinges on the main verb “he saved us” (verse 5). It is perhaps the fullest statement of salvation in the New Testament. (John Stott). That is why he sent his son to come and die for us so that we might be saved.(John 3:16).

God’s grace reforms us!

This is what grace does for us in the present. How does God’s grace reform us according to (Titus 2:12 & 14b),(Titus 3:1-2) illustrates behaviors generally exhibited by one who understands God’s grace. What seven qualities does Paul describe.( Titus 3:14) Paul says that we are to be a people who learn to engage in good works. Look up the definition of engage and write out what it means.
(Titus 2:14; 3:1, 8, 14.) We have been reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit, says Paul (Titus 3:5). Why should this status motivate us to “devote ourselves to doing what is good” (3:8)?

God’s grace rewards us!

What is “the blessed hope” (Titus 2:13) from which all aims and priorities should flow? (Review 1 Timothy 1:1, and see also 1 John 3:1-3.). At the end of everything we are sure of a reward. Even as we are here on earth we can still see the reward, and enjoy the benefits of being in God's grace.