INTRODUCTION
God pre-designed the Plan of Grace before the foundation of the World; Jesus Christ executed the Plan; the Holy Spirit reveals the plan through Bible Doctrine to mankind.
The word Grace and its eternal meaning were forever exalted by the incarnation of Jesus Christ in hypostatic union (which means both God and man simultaneously).
The one and only true Messiah (Jesus Christ) is God’s Grace personified to the world — Jesus Christ is the personification of Grace, the personification of Love, the personification of Truth. Jesus Christ is the personification of God in the flesh.
The principle revelation of grace in the New Testament centers on the person and work of Christ.
Grace is God’s actions through Christ to benefit mankind (Titus 2:11; 1 Timothy 1:14; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 2 Peter 1:2). Grace is the function of God’s justice which provides blessing, protection, discipline and support for believers. The Cross is a manifestation of God’s justice. The incarnation of Christ testifies of God’s incomprehensible love.
Here are two points to really think about: (A) the justice of God could not prevent Christ from going to the Cross. Therefore, (B) the justice of God cannot prevent the unbeliever from the Lake of fire. Ontologically, if A is true (and it is) then B is also true.
Can logic put God in a manger? Can you really understand that the God of the universe somehow became a human baby? Then, as a man, He became our Savior. During His lifetime and on our Cross, He victoriously battled the dragon. Then, He conquered death by His resurrection. Christ loved us with everlasting love; with everlasting kindness. This is Grace — God’s Grace. If you are a believer you are clothed in more than fine linen — you are clothed in Grace.
Grace. Oh Grace. Why are you Grace? I am Grace because God so loved! I am Grace because I am that I Am. God loved us enough to die for us. God loves us enough to keep us as His ‘cherished possession’ forever. God is an awesome God. Our Savior is an awesome Savior — the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Grace is used 155 times in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul used it 101 times and is the greatest expositor of grace in the Bible. Paul presented Christ as the personification of grace and truth (1 Corinthians 15:8-10).
The principle benefit of God’s Grace is “saving grace” as in 2 Corinthians 8:9 and 1 Peter 1:10, 13. Christ is the personification of Grace, but Christ never used the word Grace himself. Why? Because Christ is Grace! (John 1:17-18; Romans 10: 4-10).
In study of the Greek words for grace in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and Strong’s Complete Dictionary of Bible Words the verb “charitoo” means to bestow favor upon and is used only twice, once in Luke 1:28 when the Arch-Angel Gabriel greeted Mary with the annunciation, and a second time in Ephesians 1:6 where every believer is said to be highly favored or “accepted in the beloved.”
All believers are considered “be-graced” or “covered” (charitoo) by God which means that Mary’s favor with God is identical to the favor given to all believers. This favor is bestowed without merit because of Christ. Therefore, worship of Mary is not warranted by Scripture. Mary had no more favor, merited or unmerited, than any other believer. Mary was chosen by God (unmerited favor) for God’s purpose and the believer is chosen for God’s purposes by unmerited favor. Mary was honored not for who and what she is but, because of who and what God is — Grace — unmerited favor.
GRACE and MERCY
Distinction should be made between grace and mercy: mercy implies pity, whereas grace includes the idea of favor towards sinners without merit. By contrasting mercy and grace we find it interesting that the opposite of mercy is misery and the opposite of grace is guilt. We are all guilty of sin (Romans 3:23). While we were still lost in sin Christ died — this is grace (Romans 5:8). God’s love and mercy preceded His Grace (Luke 1:78-79; Romans 5:8, 15-21; Ephesians 2:4, 8, 9). God’s Love, Mercy and Grace always precede Judgment. Please note: God always comes to man because God designed man’s soul to respond to God.
GOD’S GRACE PLAN FOR UNBELIEVERS IS “FAITH = SALVATION”
(John 3:15-18, 36; Acts 16:31; Romans 3:23, 26-28; 5:8-12, 6:23; 10:9-13, 17; 12-21)
GOD’S GRACE PLAN FOR BELIEVERS IS Faith, Prayer/Confession (1 John 1:9), Bible Study, Application, Sacrifice, And The Peaceful Fruits Of The Spirit Which Equal Inner-Happiness Resulting In A Proper Mental Attitude (Mark 16:15; John 20:21;Romans chapter 6; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Hebrews 4:14-16; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Hebrews 4:12; 5:14-16; Romans 5:1; chapter 8; 10:17; 12:1-21;13:1-14; 14:7-9, 17, 18; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; 2:4-16; 3:9-16; 6:19-20; 7:17, 23; 10:13; 11:23-32; 15:3-4, 58; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 2:20; 13:14; 15:13; Ephesians 1:4-14, 17-23;2:1-10; 3:1-21; 4:1-16, 30; 5:1-2; 6:11-20; Philippians 1:6, 29; 2:1-11; 3:6 16, 20, 21; 4:1-13, 19; Colossians 1:5-6, 9-23; 2:7, 9, 14, 14; 3:1-17; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:12-13; 3:11-13; 4:1-18; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 5:14; 2 Peter 1:2).
Romans 5:15: “For if by the one man’s offense (Adam) many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.”
Romans 5:17: “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more who received abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the one Jesus Christ.” See also Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; Hebrews 13:9.
God has designed a wonderful plan for believers through His Son Jesus Christ (Romans 8:38-39; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Galatians 2:16; 3:26; Ephesians 2:6-13; Philippians 4:19; Colossians 2:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 1 Timothy 1:14, 15; 2 Timothy 1:9; Hebrews 9:28).
GRACE OR RELIGION
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Christianity is distinct from all other religions because the necessary reconciliation of man to God is performed by God the Son — not man.
“Even so, then, at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then it is 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” (Romans 11:5-6). Paul is simply stating that works and grace are mutually exclusive.
Romans 8:32 perfectly defines Grace:
“God spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He (God) not with Him also freely give us all things?” Grace is given through Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:4). Grace is all that God is free to do for mankind because of the Cross of Christ. The Grace (lovingkindness) of God provided salvation (saved us) from God’s own wrath (Job 19:29-30; Isaiah 13:9; John 3:15-18; 3:36; Romans 2:5-6; 6:23; 10:13; 12:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 6:9-17; 16:1; 19:15). We escape the wrath of God by faith (believing) in the Cross-work of Christ. God’s greatest gift to mankind is His Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:15-18, 36; Romans 3:22-28; 5:1; 5:8-21; 8:1).
In God’s relationship with man God is always the giver — man, the receiver! Furthermore, everything God does is for the benefit of mankind. Truly, the Grace of God is: God Gave God (John 3:15-18).
The best defense against untruth is Truth.
Truth is not what each of us perceives it to be. Without absolute truth, there can only be truth as we each see it — God forbid! Man without the light of Christ cannot see Truth (John 1:1-14). The Gospel is the light of Christ which lights the world of darkness but, men love darkness rather than light (John 1: 1-5; 9-14).
Without absolute Truth, there is no standard of truth. Truth without absoluteness inevitably becomes untruth because everyone would be able to make their own truth. If we make our own truth we will self destruct because each person would make himself a dictator-god. The world cannot exist without absolutes. We exist, therefore, there are absolutes! Absolutes have personal names — Father (God), Son (Word) and Holy Spirit (Truth).
Pilate stated the greatest question ever voiced: “What is truth?” Pilate was unaware that Truth was starring him in the face. Truth as stated emphatically in Scripture is Christ.
“The flesh became untruth so Truth became flesh in Jesus Christ.” (anonymous)
Sin (the production of), Satan (the production of), and the world (the production of), is untruth! Untruth is evil!
Evil is anything untruth. Evil is anything anti-god! People perish because they prefer the untruth’s of a false reality (the untruth world-system) instead of God’s truth, which is true reality.
Happy Studying!