God’s Amazing Grace (Part 5)

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Today we conclude our little study on the amazing grace of our God… In Part 1 we received our introduction into our study on grace and we saw the beautiful thread of grace that runs through the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation. We saw that grace was also the divine influence of our Creator God at work within us. 

In Part 2 we looked at six Biblical truths about grace and we saw that grace is free. It is a gift of God. We cannot earn it. We cannot buy it. It is not ours to sell. We also saw that it is by grace that we are saved. It is by grace that Jesus died for our sins and it is by grace that God accepts His death as propitiation for ours.

In Part 3 we looked at four ways that grace should be evident in our daily lives. We saw that the grace of God should recognized in us by others. We saw that grace should be shared with others. We saw that the grace of God within us empowers us and builds us up.

In Part 4 we looked at five warnings God gives us concerning His grace. If you haven’t read Part 4, take the time now to do so now before you move on to this conclusion of our study… just click the Part 4 link at the beginning of this paragraph. A link to Part 5 will be at the end of it.

Today we are going to dig into five specific commands that God gives us concerning His grace.

1) We are to be strong in the grace of God

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 

2 Timothy 2:1

 

If we continue reading 2 Timothy we see that Paul continues to write that Timothy is to be faithful to share and teach with other faithful believers. Paul encourages him to suffer hardship with him for the gospel and to serve as an active soldier. God gives us His grace so that we might be strengthened to stand in ANY situation. Remember that the grace of God empowers us with the supernatural ability of God to be obedient to Him no matter what. It’s not by our might, not by our power, but by His Spirit that we have victory. His grace is sufficient… always.

2) We are to draw near with confidence to the grace of God

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 

Hebrews 4:14-16

The grace of God is there to help us. The grace of God is available to us with endless supply. We have a High Priest who can sympathize with our weakness. He is not there to condemn us but to encourage us. So let us remember who He is- and what He has done- and what He is doing- and what He will do- and let us draw near to Him with confidence when we find ourselves weak. Whether it be weak in moment of temptation, weak in a moment of fear, weak in moment of identity, weak in a moment of sorrow… It doesn’t matter the cause or the area of weakness just take what strength you have left and by the grace of God draw near with confidence to the throne of grace and receive more grace!

3) We are to fix our hope on the grace of God

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 

1 Peter 1:13-16

 

Our hope is not in us. Our hope is in the grace of God that has been given to us. God does not command us to be holy and then leave us in our own strength to get there by our own merit and will. We are to prepare our minds for action and we are to be sober in our spirit and fix our hope on His grace… and the more that He reveals to us about our Savior the more obedient to Him we become… not out of fear… but out of absolute head over heals adoration and love for Him and because His grace is at work upon our inner man.

4) We are to stand firm in the grace of God

Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! 

1 Peter 5:12

Oh precious one, I hope that in this small study you have learned more about the grace of God. I hope that ou have learned something will encourage and strengthen you to stand. This is the grace of our God. I implore you to take the time to go over all the points in this five part study again, read and reread the Scripture references that each point stands on and embed them in your heart and in your mind… and stand firm in the grace of God. It is indeed true.

 

5) We are to grow in the grace of God

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 

2 Peter 3:17-18

Grace is something that we can grow in. I know more of grace today than I did when I first was saved. I experienced the saving grace of my God and I was overwhelmed by it. It flooded my heart and mind like a rushing wind that swept away shame and hurt and fear… yet as I have walked with Him these years He has continued to grow me. God’s grace is so huge and so vast that we could not grasp it all in one dose. He has to divy it to us in small bites until we are able to rightly handle it. God’s grace and knowledge grow side by side. The more knowledge and understanding we gain of Him the more His grace grows with it. As we grow in His grace we are better able to share it with others and it becomes more and more evident in us by others…

May we never, ever, ever, ever stop growing in the grace of God!

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