God's Riches At Christ's Expense;GRACE.

       THE WONDERS OF GOD’S GRACE

     Genesis 6:7,8; Romans 5:18,20;

Grace is the undeserved, unmerited favour of God. Angels marvel and men stand in awe of the wonders of God’s grace. It is the free, universal redemptive mercy of the Lord which offers pardon, mercy, eternal life, and spiritual regeneration to people who are least qualified for it. It offers justification and righteousness to people who deserve, by their deeds and conduct, nothing but judgment and damnation in hell. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” yet we receive pardon and salvation through the grace and mercy of God. Any wonder heaven and earth stand in awe!

1.   THE GOSPEL OF GOD’S GRACE
Acts 20:24; Romans 3:19-25; 5:15-17,20; 1 Timothy 1:13-16; Acts15:11.

The gospel or the good news revolves on the universality of forgiveness and salvation available to undeserving men and women. All the world stands guilty before God. None is qualified for a relationship with God on the basis of merit. “By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight.” Our best is no match for God’s expectations. “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference”. Forgiveness and salvation is available for everyone - and it is free. You don’t need to try your best or be your best to earn it. Salvation is on the basis of what Christ has done and not on the basis of what you can do. Although we are great sinners, God is a great Saviour and a great Forgiver. Paul’s life is a clear illustration of the fact that “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” It shows what forgiveness and salvation await you if you will come believing and appropriating by faith the vicarious sacrifice of Christ on Calvary for you.


2. GODLINESS THROUGH GOD’S GRACE
Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Corinthians 6:1,4-7; Titus 2:11-14; 1Peter 1:13-16; 2 Corinthians 1:12; Colossians 4:6; Hebrews12:28

Grace does not leave you the way it found you. It turns a sinner into a saint, turns the darkness into light and replaces the heavy burden of guilt and condemnation with the joy of salvation. It transforms a helpless and hopeless sinner into a righteous child of God. Grace cannot touch a life without leaving behind some good evidence. More than bringing pardon and peace of mind at salvation, it ushers into our lives, humility, purity, longsuffering, patience, perseverance, kindness and love. It helps us to deny “ungodliness and worldly lusts [and to] live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world.” Grace does not give anybody the licence to talk anyhow, behave anyhow, dress anyhow or do things anyhow. Rather it controls our conversation, behaviour, conduct and character. It prepares us for the coming of the Lord. The message of the Lord to the people who have got the grace is: “be ye holy; for I am holy”. Grace makes us “zealous of good works” and helps us to “serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear”.

3. GROWTH IN GOD’S GRACE
2 Peter 3:18; James 4:6; 2 Corinthians 4:15-18; 2 Timothy 2:1,3; Acts 4:33;  2 Corinthians 9:8;12:9.

We do not remain stagnant in God’s grace, we grow in grace. Speech, dressing, attitude, temper originally touched by grace hardly remain the same but continuously change from good to better. Continuous growth of our spiritual life leads to continuous glorification of God in our lives. Growth in grace leads the saved to thirst for the deeper experience of sanctification and the sanctified to hunger for the baptism in the Holy Ghost. “More grace” is given us as we submit to God and humble ourselves before Him. “Abundant grace” gives us abundant life. It leads to daily renewal and revival. Great grace leads to great boldness, great power and great effectiveness. Initial grace should be followed by abundant grace, overflowing grace. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you: that ye always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work”.


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