StewardoftheMystery
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The "grace" of God simply means to find "favor" and acceptance from God. In the NT Greek the word for grace can also be defined as “the spiritual condition of one governed by "the power" of divine grace. And also as..“divine influence upon the heart”…... χάρις cháris, khar'-ece; from G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine "influence" upon the heart, and its "reflection" in the life; including gratitude):”
The grace of God is given as a gift to an individual but is also demonstrated in "power and influence" over the one who receives it, as shown in Ephesians 3:7 “Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by "the effectual working of his power.”
So when God’s grace is actively "working" in a believer by faith, there is an "influence "upon the heart that is also reflected outwardly in ones words and actions bringing forth "good fruit", as shown here in Romans 1:5 “By whom we have received grace and apostleship, "for obedience to the faith" among all nations, for his name:”
So though the grace of God is given as "a gift" to us, and we are chosen and elect and anointed by God, there is an active manifestation of God’s grace "working" in His elect for the "obedience" of the faith. And this empowering grace is given for "to do", and "to work" God’s works and will in our lives; by the "power" of His Spirit working "in" us and through us.
But there are also many imposters who proclaim themselves to be “in Christ” or born again of God’s Spirit, or “under grace” but truly are not. So is one able to tell the difference between the true and false according to scripture? I believe there is.
First as we saw above in Romans 1:5 the grace of God is given for "the obedience" of the faith, so "disobedience" is a sure sign of one not being under God's grace. It is also written that this faith that is given then establishes the righteousness of the law in us Romans 3:31 “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we "establish the law". Romans 8:4 “That "the righteousness" of the law might be "fulfilled in us", who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
This is also confirmed under the NT that we have the "righteousness" of God’s law written on our hearts and minds. Hebrews 8:10, Hebrews 10:16. So we are not “lawless” as some might suggest. So though we have the "imputed righteousness" of Christ working in us, it does not mean we will walk in "unrighteousness".
Also another sign of the active "power" of God’s grace working in a true believer is that "sin shall not have dominion over you". ( Romans 6:14 ) Meaning you will not go on sinning and serving the lusts and desires of the flesh, but have truly been "made free" from the "bondage of sin" in your life by the same "power" of God’s Spirit of grace.
So we conclude as in Titus 2:11-15 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, "denying ungodliness and worldly lusts", we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us "from all iniquity," and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of "good works".15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”
Peace and God bless
The grace of God is given as a gift to an individual but is also demonstrated in "power and influence" over the one who receives it, as shown in Ephesians 3:7 “Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by "the effectual working of his power.”
So when God’s grace is actively "working" in a believer by faith, there is an "influence "upon the heart that is also reflected outwardly in ones words and actions bringing forth "good fruit", as shown here in Romans 1:5 “By whom we have received grace and apostleship, "for obedience to the faith" among all nations, for his name:”
So though the grace of God is given as "a gift" to us, and we are chosen and elect and anointed by God, there is an active manifestation of God’s grace "working" in His elect for the "obedience" of the faith. And this empowering grace is given for "to do", and "to work" God’s works and will in our lives; by the "power" of His Spirit working "in" us and through us.
But there are also many imposters who proclaim themselves to be “in Christ” or born again of God’s Spirit, or “under grace” but truly are not. So is one able to tell the difference between the true and false according to scripture? I believe there is.
First as we saw above in Romans 1:5 the grace of God is given for "the obedience" of the faith, so "disobedience" is a sure sign of one not being under God's grace. It is also written that this faith that is given then establishes the righteousness of the law in us Romans 3:31 “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we "establish the law". Romans 8:4 “That "the righteousness" of the law might be "fulfilled in us", who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
This is also confirmed under the NT that we have the "righteousness" of God’s law written on our hearts and minds. Hebrews 8:10, Hebrews 10:16. So we are not “lawless” as some might suggest. So though we have the "imputed righteousness" of Christ working in us, it does not mean we will walk in "unrighteousness".
Also another sign of the active "power" of God’s grace working in a true believer is that "sin shall not have dominion over you". ( Romans 6:14 ) Meaning you will not go on sinning and serving the lusts and desires of the flesh, but have truly been "made free" from the "bondage of sin" in your life by the same "power" of God’s Spirit of grace.
So we conclude as in Titus 2:11-15 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, "denying ungodliness and worldly lusts", we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us "from all iniquity," and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of "good works".15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”
Peace and God bless
