God of Grace – 398

In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul declares of first importance in the Gospel is “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” While we were still sinners, separated from God, out of His great love, Jesus died for us, in our place, canceling out the debts we accumulated, paying the penalty for all our sins, transgressions, Colossians 2:14.

If we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as our savior, then, by the grace of God, not our works, we are saved. Eternally. 

That is super Good News. It’s the Gospel. Paul calls this Good News the Gospel of His grace.

One of the elementary principles of this world is that if we do good we will be rewarded; do bad and we will be punished. Many people think it works this way with God. I recently discovered that Mormons, those nice clean cut people with nice families believe they have to do good works in hope of approval by God. By obeying the Commandments and doing good works. No room for the grace of God in their so-called gospel. 

I’m calling out Mormons only in that their reliance upon their works also permeates the believing of many church goers, even genuine Christians. To help you today, listen to a few Bible verses concerning the grace of God. 

John 1:14, 17 Jesus, the Word, became flesh, full of grace, the favor of God, and truth. Grace and truth were manifested, that is became obvious, became clear, through Jesus Christ. Grace and truth.

Paul and Barnabas were preaching at Pisidian Antioch, and Acts 13:43 says, “many of the Jews and the God-fearing proselytes followed them, who were speaking to them and urging them to continue in the grace of God.” Not the Commandments or do good works, but continue in God’s favor. His grace.

In Acts 14:3 at Iconium, Paul and Barnabas spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be performed by their hands. Miracles, because of the grace of God. 

From Miletus Paul sent word to Ephesus and called to himself the elders of the church. In Acts 20:24, he stated his ministry which he received from the Lord Jesus: to solemnly testify of the gospel of God’s grace. And in verse 32 Paul adds, “And now I entrust you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

These are just a few verses concerning God’s grace my friend. Today, stop climbing. There’s no stairway to heaven. Working your way to heaven — doesn’t work. Stop. We can’t get there from here. 

But by God’s amazing grace, He can take us there. Believe it. Receive it. And COME ALIVE!