Saving Grace

Hello Everyone,
Grace is a terribly misunderstood word and defining it sufficiently is difficult. Some of the most detailed theology textbooks do not offer any short definition of the term.

One of the best-known definitions of grace is only three words: God’s unmerited favor. The key word is, “unmerited” – grace, is completely undeserved and therefore it leads to the conclusion that grace is a free gift given to us by God through Christ.

E. Stanley Jones once said:“Grace is free, but when once you take it you are bound forever to the Giver.”

Everything about the American way of life teaches us that you get what you earn in life, that there is no free lunch, that you make your bed and then you lay in it.

In America we are very aware of the values of competition and winning and we know what it means to work hard and use elbow grease.

We value effort and sweat. We tell people, "You get what you deserve in life" and "If you want to make something of your life it's up to you" and "If it is to be, it's up to me".

This is called the American work ethic. The only problem with the American work ethic is God doesn't operate on the American work ethic.

It makes it difficult many times for us to relate to God because we're in this driven work mentality.
The problem is Psalm 145:8. It tells us that God, rather than being in a work ethic mode, it says,

"God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love."

The Bible says God is a gracious God. That means He loves to be gracious to you. God loves to bless people who don't deserve it. That's His nature. Aren't you glad for that? I'm glad that God blesses people who don't deserve it.

You can't understand the Christian life at all unless you understand GRACE. It is the heart of our faith. It is the heart of our relationship to God. When you understand grace you're going to feel closer to God.

The more you understand grace the more you're going to be drawn to God, the more you're going to love God, the more you're going to be grateful to God.

It is by that system of grace that God brings us to Himself.

What is grace?
There is no single definition to describe what grace is all about.
One definition of grace is "God's love in action." Another definition: "God giving me what I need, not what I deserve."

One of my favorite definitions is, "Grace is the face God wears when
He looks at my failures." And He responds in a gracious way.

You need to understand the difference between grace and mercy. Mercy is when God doesn't give us what we do deserve -- punishment. Grace is when God gives us what we don't deserve -- blessing.

When you really understand grace it's going to bring so much joy to your life. It is the most liberating thing in the world.

We will look at this beautiful word called GRACE all this week.

All For Jesus
Pastor Phil