The Bible clearly tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ came “full of grace & truth.” It would benefit us as Christians to try and become more like our Savior each day. Some believers are full of truth but lack grace. Others are big on grace and void of the truth of God’s word. It is evident that we need both!
John 1:14-17
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus.
Salvation is also obtained by grace. Grace is receiving from God something that we don’t deserve or God’s unmerited favor. We are sinners and deserve to spend eternity in hell. But because of God’s love in sending His Son Jesus to die in our place, we are saved by His grace when we repent and place our faith in the precious shed blood of our Savior’s cross.
Acts 15:11
But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Titus 2:11
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.
Ephesians 2:8&9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
There are six areas in our lives that are performed by God’s grace upon us.
Clothed
The Bible states that our Lord Jesus, even as a young child was “clothed with grace.”
Luke 2:40
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
I believe that the same grace covers or clothes each one of God’s children who have been saved by grace. Grace is something that we put on each day and wear all the day through. It is possible to stand for the truth in a way that conveys God’s grace to the unbelievers. It is this very grace coupled with truth that the Holy Ghost will use as a strong testimony for the Gospel in the lives of our loved ones, friends, neighbors and work mates. Remember always that you are clothed in grace.
Content
The apostle Paul gave a litany of sufferings that he experienced while serving God with all his being for many years in II Corinthians, chapter 11. He then tells of a miraculous spiritual experience that left him with a taste of heaven which God used to motivate him in his selfless Christian service. He claims that he learned to be content, no matter what the circumstance. It was the grace of God that provided him with that contentment as he went from city to city preaching the riches of Christ’s Gospel. No matter what we are facing, God is still in control. He will do the same for us today as He did for the apostle Paul. The Lord often reveals His grace to us by revealing someone else’s plight which is far worse than ours at the very moment we are about to be overtaken in self pity. His grace is sufficient!
II Corinthians 12:7-10
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Commissioned
We see in this passage how the early church saints spread the Gospel in the mighty working power of the Holy Ghost with great grace enveloping each one. Want more Holy Spirit Power? Do you want to have a more powerful testimony and witness for the Lord Jesus Christ? Then pray for more grace.
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.
Called
Are you a preacher, missionary, Sunday School teacher? Whatever your calling and service for the master be sure that it was all of His grace. It is truly a privilege to serve Him in whatever capacity He desires for us. We don’t choose, He calls. We do not serve in our power but he empowers us with His precious gifts to enable us to be used of Him and give all the Glory to His precious name.
Galatians 1:15
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace.
II Timothy 1:8&9
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
Courageous
I give the same advice to every young preacher boy preparing for the ministry. I tell them plainly, “Grow a hide, everything that you say can and will be used against you.” As Christians we all need a strong backside. When provoked by someone energized by the devil to destroy our testimony or ruin a relationship, we need to respond in the Spirit and not react in the flesh. The strength to do this comes purely from grace. We ought to defend Christ, not ourselves. It’s not about us, but about Him and his bloodstained cross.
II Timothy 2:1-6
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
Continuous
This is the best part of all. His grace is never exhausted! It continues forever. It is always with us and will never leave us.
Ephesians 2:5-7
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Got Grace?