GRACE

"Grace to you and peace from the God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Why Grace?

As I reflected on how profound God’s Grace is and has always been towards us, it caused me to wonder; how grateful are we for Grace? So often, our eyes seek for the other common favors of God: Mercy, Blessings, Forgiveness, Healing, etc and Grace becomes short changed.  Could it be- that our knowledge, understanding of this five letter word is much limited by its experience or encounter? In other words; to truly experience ‘Grace’ is to know God and to truly know and come into the fullness of who God is, will allow you to experience Grace.  In Ephesians 2:1-10 ~this passage of scripture talks about the Grace of God through our Faith, but more importantly verses 7 -8 highlights: “ That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His Grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by Grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God”. Of course I cannot speak about Grace without mentioning Paul and his ministry ~He was an Ambassador for Grace. Notice in all of His epistles- greeting and closing messages to the Church and the people (Ephesians, Corinthians, Thessalonians, Philippians, etc). Not only does Paul reminds us of God’s grace through our Lord Jesus Christ, but He also offers it unto us. Philippians 4:23 “ The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen”. Colossians 4:18 “This salutation by my own hand-Paul, Remember my chains, Grace be with you. Amen”. 

By His Grace, he has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame that which is strong and the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise…and the things which are not to bring to nothing the things that are. Then that His Grace can remove all spots, wrinkles and blemishes from our lives.. Why do we cast ourselves down whenever we make mistakes ? More so, why do “Christians” persecute us when we fall ~ so much so, that we see running away from God as an option or choose to stay, but hang ourselves with un-forgiveness, guilt and shame. Don’t we know who God is? His love for us is unchangeable, His grace is suffice for every sin committed (Past, Present and to come). Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no Condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the spirit”. Hence let no man condemn you, not even you yourselves for that which you have transgress, for when Christ died he forgave it all on the cross.

Grace & Peace

Picture for a moment two pea in a pod, or even a payless bogo sale, “buy one; get one free!”- as their slogan proudly promotes. Having something that you do not deserve, but yet you did not have to pay a dime to receive. In the same way you’ll find God's peace attached with His grace. “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.” (Eph. 2:14)

Romans 8:11 “ But if the spirit of Him who has raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give Life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you”. You must acknowledge and confess in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for all your sins and didn’t stop there but he buried them when he went to the grave. When the eyes of your understanding become enlightened to the exceeding greatness of His power towards us who believe!…Then you’ll attain God’s Grace and Peace in abundance. Paul said to the Ephesians in Chapter 2:4-6 "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, Even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus".

Prayer: How gracious you are towards us Lord. Help us to acknowledge your grace and be more grateful that it is made new towards us everyday. Amen.

Benediction: Ephesians 6: 23-24 ~{Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord, Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.}