Ephesians 2: 7: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
MESSAGE
Grace is that benevolence which is poured out upon all men, regardless of their spiritual condition.
God predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the kind intention of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the beloved. in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us.
In all wisdom and insight he made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his kind intention which he purposed in him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things upon the earth.
In him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to his purpose who works all things after the counsel of his will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ should be to the praise of his glory
Finally,Grace is epitomized on the cross of Calvary.
Kind Of Grace
1-Saving grace is that generous provision of salvation on the cross of Calvary and the securing of it by divine intervention, as we have already outlined above.
Ephesians 2:8,9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Acts 15:11“But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are”
Romans 5:1-2 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God
1 Peter 5:12 I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!
Man cannot obtain salvation through any good work of his own, neither can the Christian maintain his salvation by doing good works. Salvation is obtained and maintained by grace of God alone.
2-Sanctifying grace is that grace which works within the true believer in such a way as to bring growth, maturity, and progress in the process of becoming Christ-like:
Paul says in the book of 1 Corinthians 15:10 .But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me .
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
3- Serving grace is the enablement to minister in such a way as to manifest the life of our Lord through the saints as members of His body. It refers to acts of generosity and giving Acts 4: 33: And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift .
1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God .
4-Sustaining grace is grace given at special times of need, especially during adversity or suffering.
Finally Brethren Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need . Grace is entirely the work of God, unprompted by man, undeserved by man, and without regard to anything ,the grace of God will always be fulfilled in the Life and destiny of the righteous.
Prayer : May our LORD Jesus Christ be with thy spirit and His Grace be with you. Amen.
Yours in Christ,
Emmanuel Mabogunje
