INTRODUCTION 1Th 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
There is a word that conveys wonderful hope and comfort to the Christian…
The word is “grace”
It is a word that Paul loved to use
Every epistle that he wrote (with the possible exception of Hebrews), begins and ends with mention of this word
1 Thess. 5:28 “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”
What does this word actually mean?
How is it used in the N. T. scriptures?
What important things should we keep in mind concerning “grace”?
[In this study, we shall spend a few moments focusing our attention on this wonderful word, and its relationship to the Christian. Let’s begin by noticing..]
THE DEFINITION OF "GRACE"THAT WHICH GIVES JOY, PLEASURE, DELIGHT…
This is the original idea of the Greek word “charis”
It is used in the N.T. in this way in reference to SPEECH…”And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.” The words of Jesus were spoken with grace – Lk 4:22
The words of the Christian are to impart grace to the hearers – Col 4:6 “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
GOOD-WILL, LOVINGKINDNESS, FAVOR…
In this way, it is used …Of the kindness of a master towards his inferiors or servants
And especially of God towards men
THAYER points out that: It is this particular definition of grace that prompts us to think of it most often as “unmerited favor”
A SPIRITUAL STATE OR CONDITION IN WHICH ONE ENJOYS GOD’S FAVOR…
When one accepts God’s grace, they are in a “state of grace” Ro 5:1-2;”Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
1Pe 5:12 “I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.”
AN EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE FOR FAVOR BESTOWED...1Ti 1:12 where the English word is “thank” (“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;.”)
This is what is meant when people ask someone to “say grace” before eating a meal
[Such are the main ways the word GRACE is used in the NT. In connection with this word, there are some things that Christians should always keep in mind…]
GRACE AND THE CHRISTIANWE ARE SAVED BY GRACE!
Salvation is first, foremost, and always a matter of grace! – Ep 2:5-8
God doesn’t owe us anything
What we deserve is eternal damnation, because all are sinners – Ro 3:23; 6:23a
Salvation is a gift, which God in lovingkindness offers to man – Ro 6:23b; Tit 3:3-7 “”Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace”
No matter what God may call upon us to do in order to receive His grace, when we do those things (cf. believe, repent, confess Jesus, be baptized)…
In no way can we ever say that we earn or merit salvation. We are still “unworthy servants” – cf. Lk 17:10
We must forever remember that only by God’s grace is salvation possible!
GOD’S GRACE REQUIRES HOLY LIVING!
Some people reason that since we are saved by grace, we are free to do whatever we wish
Yet Paul wrote that the “grace of God…teaches us” to:
Deny ungodliness and worldly lusts
Live soberly, righteously and godly
Look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of Jesus Christ – cf. Tit 2:11-13
As he continues, Paul explain why Jesus in grace gave Himself for us…
That He might redeem us from every lawless deed
That He might purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works – cf. Tit 2:14
The unmerited favor of God is no excuse to go on sinning!
HOLY LIVING REQUIRES GOD’S GRACE!
To live “soberly, righteously and godly” requires the grace of God
We cannot do it on our own, but with God’s help we can! He works in us to do His good will – Php 2:12-13
By His strength we can do all the things He desires of us – Php 4:13″I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
WE MUST GROW IN GRACE!
This is especially true if we are going to live holy lives
Peter commands us to grow in grace – cf. 2Pe 3:18 “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
Dear brother or sister, it is not enough just to experience God’s grace in forgiving our sins
God has so much more to share with us, both in this life and the life to come – Ep 2:7
This explains Paul’s salutations and benedictions – cf. 1Th 1:1; 5:28
We can grow in grace through:
Heeding the Word of God – Ac 20:32 “he word of his grace, which is able to build you up,”
Drawing near to God in prayer – He 4:16 “ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
WE CAN RECEIVE GOD’S GRACE IN VAIN!
Paul pleaded with the Corinthians that they might not receive God’s grace in vain – 2Co 6:1
Having received God’s grace, it is possible for it to have been in vain!
By seeking justification for sin elsewhere – Ga 5:4 “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”
In the immediate context, Paul has reference to the Law of Moses
But if we seek to be justified by any system of salvation by works alone, we will fall from grace!
By using God’s grace as an excuse for licentiousness – Jude 4 “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Some were using grace as an excuse for shameless behavior
And yet we have seen that God’s grace requires holy living – 2Ti 2:11-14
By willful and impenitent sinning, thereby despising the Spirit of grace – cf. He 10:26-31
For such a person there no longer remains a sacrifice of sin! Only a fearful expectation of judgment
Why? Because through such willful and impenitent sin one…
Tramples the Son of God underfoot
Counts the blood of the covenant (i.e., Jesus’ blood) by which he was sanctified (i.e., saved) a common thin Insults the Spirit of grace
CONCLUSION
What a terrible thing it would be, to have received God’s grace in vain!
To have received God’s grace at one point
But then to make it all vain (useless)
But it is just as terrible…
Not to receive it all!
Or having received it, not to grow in it!
So I encourage you all, in the words of the writer of Hebrews: “look(ing) diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace of God.” – He 12:15??”let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” – He 12:28??”For it is good that the heart be established by grace…” – He 13:9??”Grace be with you all. Amen” – He 13:25