(1) WHAT IS THE GRACE OF GOD? A. It is the freely given, unmerited favor, and love of God! 1. The devine influence of God operating upon the heart of man. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” 2 Cor. 9:8 2. It is kindness bestowed upon one which is not deserved. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” 2 Cor. 8:9 3. Moral strength: The God given strength or ability to perform a duty. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” 2 Cor. 12:9 4. Grace is God’s riches at Christ’s expense. “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man” Heb. 2:9 B. What is the relationship between grace and salvation? 1. It is by grace we are saved. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” Eph. 2:8 2. We are delivered from the ‘penalty’ of sin by God’s grace. “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” Rom. 3:24 3. Redemption is through the riches of His grace. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” Eph. 1:7 4. It is by His grace that we are being, and shall be saved. “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” Rom. 5:9 C. Grace is at work even before we are saved. 1. Before we even existed Bhrist died for us. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” Rom. 5:8 2. All men receive something of God’s grace. “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?” Matt. 5:44,45 3. Grace softens the sinner’s heart. “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Rom. 2:4 (2) WHERE DO WORKS ENTER THE PICTURE? A. Works are not the basis of our relationship to God. (For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them) Eph. 2:10 1. Work did not earn salvation. “Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work” Rom. 11:5,6 2. Works will not complete our salvation. “”O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Gal. 3:1-3 B. Works should be our response to His grace. 1. They should be in obedience to His commands. “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ” 1 Peter 3:13-16 2. They should be a reflection of our desire, not to gain approval, but to please. “As every man hath received the gift, [even so] minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” 1 Peter 4:10 C. Extra Biblical works should never be mandated, but adherence to the new testament commands and ordinances should be. (3). WHAT ABOUT GRACE AND LIBERTY? A. Under grace wer are free from the bondage of the law. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” Rom. 8:1,2 B. However liberty is not a license to sin. “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” Rom. 6:1,2 C. Even though we may still sin, we are warned against flaunting our sin and making a mockery of the grace of God. “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” Rom. 6:11-13 (4) HOW DOES JUDGEMENT FIT IN? A. There are basically two types of judgment; one for the believer and one for the unbeliever. 1. Believers are disciplined first, but judged if they continue in sin. “And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” Rom. 2:3 2. Unbelievers are already judged. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” Is. 53:6 B. Judgment is an expression of God’s grace. “For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all” Rom. 11:32 1. Believers are disciplined and judged as needed to prevent them from potentially doing something worse. (leading others astray, bringing reproach to the Lord’s name, hindering the work of the Kingdom of God) Read Heb. 12:4-11 2. The judgment experienced in this life by an unbeliever is the natual fruit of a life spent sowing seeds of rebellious independence. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” Gal. 6:7 If he can acknowledge his own sinfulness, it is easier for him to desire God’s holiness. If he can disire righteouness, he is open to the work of saving grace. C. Eternal judgement is based upon one’s reception or rejection of God’s grace. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” Mk. 16:16 (5) CAN A MAN FALL FROM GRACE? A. God’s word states the this can happen. “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace” Gal. 5:4 B. The results of falling from grace is receiving judgment. “I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be” Gal. 5:10 C. DOES THIS RESULT CAUSE US TO LOSE OUR SALVATION? “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED; yet so as by fire” 1 Cor. 3:13-15 (6) HOW CAN I BENEFIT FROM GOD’S GRACE? A. I can ask for it. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” Heb. 4:16 B. I can receive and yield to it. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” 2 Cor. 12:9 C. I can work hard while, at the same time depending entirely on the Lord. “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” 1 Cor. 15:10 QUESTIONS: 1. Give a definition of Grace? 2. How does grace and the Bible relate? 3. When does grace start to work for us? 4. Do we keep our salvation by works? 5. What are two types of judgment? 6. What happens if a Christian falls from grace? More reference Scriptures: 2 Thes. 2:16 Titus 2:11-14 John 9:4 Gal. 5:1 2 Peter 3:17,18
Posted on: Sun, 19 Jan 2014 00:04:25 +0000
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