Welcome to Hank’s Place
Some people think it was Augustine, one of the earliest Church fathers, who said, “What is grace? I know until you ask me. When you ask me, then I don’t know.”
A short definition of grace is that it is God’s unmerited favor. He showers us with “good” because of His nature, not our performance. The world does not operate that way. The world says we must work to earn – ‘things.’
Paul wrote in Romans 4:4-5, “When people work, they earn wages. It can’t be considered a free gift, because they earned it. But no one earns God’s righteousness. It can only be transferred when we no longer rely on our own works, but believe in the One who powerfully declares the ungodly to be righteous in His eyes. It is FAITH that transfers God’s righteousness into our account!” Passion translation.
These verses are powerful. They say that grace stands opposite to the principle of works; grace has to do with receiving the free GIFT of God. Works has to do with EARNING our standing before God. Paul expanded the Greek word for grace from heartfelt generosity toward a dear friend into something much more powerful: God gives His grace to the undeserving, even to ENEMIES!
Under works – when wages are earned, what one receives is not counted as grace but as debt. Something owed. A system of works seeks to put God in debt to us, MAKING GOD OWE US His favor because of our obedience, owe us salvation and blessing because of OUR good works.
Under grace, it’s different. Salvation and blessing are not received by works, but are FREELY GIVEN to the one who believes on Him who justifies the ungodly. Like you and me. By faith. Like Abraham.
Because of what Jesus did at Calvary, God can justify the ungodly. We are justified DESPITE our ungodliness.
Thank God for our Savior Jesus! Our faith in Him is accounted for righteousness.
People of the Old Testament were not saved by keeping the Law. No one could. Everyone who has ever been saved – has been saved by grace through faith. Under the Old Covenant people tried their best to keep the Law, but had to rely upon that Day of Atonement, by faith, that God would cover their sins another year.
Today, stop thinking that you can earn God’s salvation or favor. The principles of works and grace stand in opposition to each other. As systems, works is about earning and deserving. Grace is about believing and receiving.
Believe and receive God’s favor today, my friend —you’ll COME ALIVE!
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