Grace

Grace

Fourteen year old Keith stood in front of the judge with his head down. He knew he should not have driven his dirt bike on the road. His mom had told him over and over that it was against the law. He had not listened and now the judge was trying to decide what to do. He could fine Keith a large sum of money, which his mom would have to pay, and he could also take away his dirt bike. Imagine his surprise when the judge looked at him and said, “You broke the law. The fine is $150.00, but by the mercy of the court, your debt is dismissed.”

What is Grace? Keith deserved to be punished. He knowingly broke the law. The judge showed him grace when he forgave his crime. Grace is undeserved favor and mercy. Someone has said GRACE = God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense. It’s in the Bible, “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8, 9, TLB). This is an important fact to remember – you cannot earn grace. It is a gift from God. The fact that we don’t deserve it makes it grace.

Who can show us grace? It’s in the Bible “And he (God) passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”(Exodus 34:6).

How does God show grace to us? “But in your great mercy you did not destroy them completely or abandon them forever. What a gracious and merciful God you are!” (Nehemiah 9:31, TLB). “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:24, NIV). His grace provides forgiveness and makes us right with God.

To how many people does God give grace to? “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11, NIV). It doesn’t matter what color of skin, or how rich or poor you may be. God’s grace is freely given to all.

What does grace make possible? Our salvation! See how in Ephesians 1:7,8, NIV “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”

Will God’s grace be with me if I have sinned a lot? You’ll find the comforting answer in Romans 5:20, TLB. “But the more we see our sinfulness, the more we see God’s abounding grace forgiving us.”

What will grace do for me? It’s in the Bible, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope– the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:11-14, NIV).

What is God’s grace like? God’s grace is patient. It’s in the Bible, “Don’t you realize how patient He is being with you? Or don’t you care? Can’t you see that He has been waiting all this time without punishing you, to give you time to turn from your sin? His kindness is meant to lead you to repentance” (Romans 2:4, TLB).

Why are we called to come before God’s throne of grace? So let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive his mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need” (Hebrews 4:16, TLB).