GRACE - More than just a word . . .

[CWJ]

Perhaps, Rick, you would be so gracious as to

[His son]

The best explaination I have ever heard of grace is found in contracts that require certain payments or actions to be made or taken at a certain period of time. In some of these contract their is written a grace period that gives the one who is obligated to pay or do an extention of time if they are unable to comply with the time schedule, provided of course they petition the other party for that grace.

We have been judged by God as sinners, and have a death penalty on us. God in His pure grace has extended the time of the execution of our sentance to as much time as is required for each of us individualy to have total understanding of His plan of the salvation process to the extent that we can make a freewill choice about accepting that plan, and the process or to accept our death sentance. The death sentance being eternal seperation from Him. God's grace has been around and in operation since the garden.

[Rick]

God's grace has been around and in operation since the garden.

Only since the garden? Jesus was there in the beginning. Before the Garden of Eden, before the creation of the world. An all knowing God knew that man would fall and provided a sacrifice for sins from the foundation of the world. Grace existed from the beginning, it was not a new creation for an unexpected event. Maybe you meant when God's grace was first exercised in the Garden ? But even in that, It was exercised also from the beginning by God's preparation for a yet future event to transpire on the Earth, but one that was already present for God. He see's the beginning from the end. We in time see moment by, but not so with God.

I Thank God for Jesus Christ!

Rick

[tsth]

BUMP

[His son]

Rick,

I should have said that the first time it was applied to man was in the garden. It has existed since God existed.

[Rick]

Rick,

I should have said that the first time it was applied to man was in the garden. It has existed since God existed.

Not a problem ! Thanks for clarifying!

God Bless!

Rick

[tsth]

Perhaps, Rick, you would be so gracious as to  answer the original 7 questions in their given order.  I know you have touched on some briefly,  but I would appreciate it if you would answer them all and include scriptural support for you answers.

However, could you first just give a quick answer though as to what you understand the "works" to be which Paul alludes to in Eph. 2:8-9.

" 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."

Also . . . in Romans 3: 23 - 28, can you explain the workings of the "law of faith?"

Peace,

William

For what it's worth, I am doing a study on 2 Cor. 5:9-11, on another thread, that I believe, gives a clear distinction of proper view of works in context of grace, as opposed to the improper works that Paul is alluding to above.

2 Cor. 5:9-11

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Guest His Lady]

What a great topic! :il: I wanted to add a thought or two to this thread:

The Grace of God: Unearned, undeserved, unmerited saving love of God, A PRICELESS GIFT

Grace being divided into 3 parts:

I. Prevenient Grace: I was accepted by God's saving grace long before I knew I was accepted. From the cross Jesus Christ prayed for us "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do"

II. Justifying Grace: Reconciliation-I am accepting God's loving acceptance of me-a concious act of faith that results in fellowship with God.

III. Sanctifying Grace: The work of the Holy Spirit rooting out sin in our lives and hearts which damages the relationship we have with God. The journey toward wholeness that is made possible by the working of the Holy Spirit. Sanctifying Grace moves us from imputed to imparted righteousness. Santifying Grace is that love God gives us that enables us to give God our undivided attention. A maturing and equipping process wherein our discipleship becomes authentic and we become Christ in the world. Our relationship to God is a response to the love we experience.

Maybe read, for these 3 parts, Luke 15:11-24 Parable of the Lost Son

Lastly: Obstacles to Grace

Self-Ish-Ness (SIN)

In HIS LOVE

[Rick]

Being saved by Grace through Faith and not of ourselves includes our works.

Paul uses a certain clarity in stating that we are not saved through works. With that in mind, defining which works they would have seen as leading to salvation becomes the issue.

With any work being of self adherence, it would be within reason, that the one performing it, would have reason to boast of their adherence to it as opposed to someone who did not adhere. Whether that work be considered proper or improper.

With salvation by Grace through Faith, there can be no boasting of self. Self boasting is self pride. Reflecting that the one who adhered to a particular work had accomplished something. Whatever these works are, they fail to provide salvation , which can only be obtained through Jesus Christ alone.

That would include any works of righteousness that are deemed worthy of salvation by the one seeking to obtain salvation by works (These should not be confused with works that accompany salvation). These works of righteousness are deemed as filthy rags in the sight of the Lord, in that they can never replace the work of Christ on the cross in redeeming man through His shed blood.

The Grace of God that saves is of God, and not of self, If we boast, let it be in the finished work of Jesus Christ and not of self.

Rick

[Guest LCPGUY]

I believe that the Grace of our Lord is simply that He is offering us perfect salvation with Him as a free gift. We are not getting what we deserve. He is holding nothing against us. Mercy would be that He knows our sins and wrongs and chooses to ignore them because He sort of feels sorry for us. Grace is that He not only forgives, but forgets our transgressions and draws us to Him, spotless and clean. The perfect gift! Perfect joy!

Just my 2 cents

In Him,

John