GRACE - More than just a word . . .

[Guest Shaman]

What is Grace? I see it as the power of God.

When does Grace become effectual in a person? When we first believe.

Is grace "unmerited favor"? I see it more as a reciprocation.

How does Grace become frustrated? By rejection.

If Grace is frustrated, are there consequences? Yes. One will be powerless to please God.

Is Grace strictly a New Testament phenomenon? Not at all. Power was also given to believers in the OT. I'm not sure if grace and favor are the same, but I do know they are close.

That's what I believe

Peace,

Shaman

Edited December 18, 2003 by Shaman

[tsth]

Grace is an Awesome gift. I believe the working of grace is summed up nicely in the 6th Chapter of Romans. I would also add this verse.

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

We are not left to fend off sin by ourselves! The Lord will always give grace in that time of need, if only we would be willing to surrender our pride and flesh, and ASK HIM, and BELIEVE! That is when faith becomes REAL!

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Guest Shaman]

My First Response:

What is Grace? I see it as the power of God.

When does Grace become effectual in a person? When we first believe.

Is grace "unmerited favor"? I see it more as a reciprocation.

How does Grace become frustrated? By rejection.

If Grace is frustrated, are there consequences? Yes. One will be powerless to please God.

Is Grace strictly a New Testament phenomenon? Not at all. Power was also given to believers in the OT. I'm not sure if grace and favor are the same, but I do know they are close.

After reacquainting myself with some grace Scriptures OT and NT, I am more convinced that grace and favor are pretty much synonymous, or at least more closely related than I at first thought. Therefore, I would now say that it is the power that is derived from having favor with God.

Peace,

Shaman

[Jedi4Yahweh]

Hi,

1. What is Grace?

Grace of God is a very broad term for the explaining the the undeserving kindness of God, such as God's: mercy, forgiveness, blessing, favor, healing, deliverance, protection, strenght, etc... Grace incorporates a lot of things. Any good thing that you receive of God is part of Gods Grace. All of Gods Grace is free but must be accessed by faith.

Through Him we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice on the hope of the glory of God.

(Rom 5:2)

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

(Joh 1:17)

The Differance between OT Law and the NT Grace is:

In the Old Testement, man was trying to be justified by following the laws of moses: cerimonies, rituals, sacrifices keeping of certain holy days etc...

In the New Testement, man is justified by faith in Christ and God is now working in us to Fullfill the royal commandments of God:

1) Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.

2) You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (Jer 31:31-34)

There are alot of people that do not understand the grace of God. They see the grace of God as an excuse to live a sinful and rebellious life thinking that God understands. They think they do not have to obey God. This is not the grace of God! The bible says that God has written his laws on our hearts so that we will live by them not disobey them. The bible also says that the grace of God teaches us to live right before God.

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

(Tit 2:11-12)

Thanks,

Jason

[BlindSeeker]

After reacquainting myself with some grace Scriptures OT and NT, I am more convinced that grace and favor are pretty much synonymous, or at least more closely related than I at first thought. Therefore, I would now say that it is the power that is derived from having favor with God . . .

Is that "favor" merited, or not?

If unmerited, then why don't all people have it?

[BlindSeeker]

Grace of God is a very broad term for the explaining the the undeserving kindness of God . . . .

Greetings Jedi4Yahweh,

Do you see a difference between "undeserving" and "unmerited?"

[Jedi4Yahweh]

Is that "favor" merited, or not?

If unmerited, then why don't all people have it?

Yes and No

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (Jam 4:6-10)

God Gives Grace to those whom humble themselves and submit to God. God does not give grace unfairly.

[BlindSeeker]

An O.T. verse . . .

• Hab 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
  

The Differance between OT Law and the NT Grace is:

In the Old Testement, man was trying to be justified by following the laws of moses: cerimonies, rituals, sacrifices keeping of certain holy days etc...

I think there is a difference between people being obedient unto God to (by faith) carry out the prophet actions commanded by God for the purpose of foretelling the future sacrifice of Lamb of God and those who erred thinking by them they were justified.

Certainly, the righteous of the O.T. seemed to be able to discern the difference.

1Sa 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Ps 51:16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Pr 21:3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Isa 1:11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?
13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.
15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Ho 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
7 But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.

Mic 6:6 Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?
7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

[BlindSeeker]

Is that "favor" merited, or not?

If unmerited, then why don't all people have it?

Yes and No

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (Jam 4:6-10)

God Gives Grace to those whom humble themselves and submit to God. God does not give grace unfairly.

You gave me a good biblical reference for how grace is merited . . . or the "yes" part.

How about a biblical reference for the "no" part?

[Jedi4Yahweh]

How about a biblical reference for the "no" part?

hmmm.....

Well the word unmerited means unworthy of so merited would me worhty of.

I dont think anyone one of use humble or proud will ever by worthy of God's grace. This is why I say Yes and No.

But according to scripture God resist those that are prideful but gives grace to those that are humble. Therefore if we want Gods grace we must humble ourselves and submit ourselves in the sight of the lord. Therefore becoming somewhat worhty of Gods grace.

Thanks,