What Is Grace?

Is grace really unmerited favor?

Let's look at what the scriptures tell us.

James 4:6 tells us:

"But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

So we learn that humility is a prerequisite to receiving the grace of God, and grace is something that God gives, so what is grace?

The Greek word for grace used in the New Testament scriptures is 'Charis' which means:

1. Grace

    A. That which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech

2. Good will, loving-kindness, favour

    A. Of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues.

3. What is due to grace

   A. The spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace

   B. The token or proof of grace, benefit

         I. A gift of grace

        II. Benefit, bounty

4. Thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward

Strong’s Definitions

χάρις cháris, khar'-ece; from G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude):—acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy).

Grace is more of God's essence, His presence in the soul and upon the spirit of those who obey Him, follow Jesus and walk closely with Him. It's like the more you're with God, the more you grow in Him, the more you meditate on His word, the more you grow in grace and knowledge. The more you become like Him and God rubs off on you!

1st Corinthians 15:33

"Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

The word tells us evil company corrupts good habits or good manners/character, so walking with God does the exact opposite. Being with Him and receiving His grace in our souls, changes our corrupt nature and bad characteristics into His divine nature and goodness, we become holy and righteous!

Jesus was full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

"And the Word became 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."

So grace is something you can be full of, and your heart can be established or built up with grace.

Hebrews 13:9

Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

Grace is much more than unmerited favor, grace is the power, presence, essence, substance, and divine influence of God that fills the heart, permeates our being, fills the atmosphere and emanates from our soul and spirit, spreading outward through the flesh, it affects those around us, and it saves those in Christ every day.

Even the words that come forth out of your mouth as you speak can be full of grace and wisdom.

Colossians 4:5-6

"Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."

The true meaning of grace gives us a much deeper understanding of Ephesians 2:8-9

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

In Jesus,

Tyrone

A Christless Pentecost! - David Wilkerson

The following is a prophetic warning from Azusa Street 75 years

ago, concerning the dangers of a Christless Pentecost!

Frank Bartleman was an eyewitness to the out-pouring of the

Holy Spirit in 1907 at Azusa Street, Los Angeles. He has been

characterized as the Reporter of the Azusa Street Revival. Nearly

75 years ago, during the outpouring, he wrote a tract warning of

a Christless Pentecost

He warned: "We may not hold a doctrine, or seek an experience,

except in Christ. Many are willing to seek power in order to

perform miracles, draw attention and adoration of the people to

themselves, thus robbing Christ of His glory, and making a fair

showing in the flesh. The greatest need would seem to be for

true followers of the meek and lowly Jesus. Religious enthusiasm

easily goes to seed. The human spirit so predominates the show-

off, religious spirit. But we must stick to our text - Christ.

"Any work that exalts the Holy Ghost or 'gifts' above Jesus will

finally end up in fanaticism. Whatever causes us to exalt and love

Jesus is well and safe. The reverse will ruin all. The Holy Ghost is

a great light, but focused on Jesus always for His revealing.

"Where the Holy Ghost is actually in control, Jesus is proclaimed

the Head-the Holy Ghost, His executive."

In another place, Brother Bartleman warned:

"The temptation seems to be toward empty manifestations. This

does not require any particular cross, or death to the self-life.

Hence it is always popular.

"We may not put power, gifts, the Holy Ghost, or in fact anything

ahead of Jesus. Any mission that exalts even the Holy Ghost above

the Lord Jesus Christ is bound for the rocks of error and fanaticism.

"There seems to be a great danger of losing sight of the fact that

Jesus was 'all in all' The work of Calvary, the atonement, must be

the center for our consideration. The Holy Ghost will never draw

our attention from Christ to Himself, but rather reveal Christ in a

fuller way. We are in danger of slighting Jesus - getting Him 'lost

in the temple,' by the exaltation of the Holy Ghost and of the gifts

of the Spirit. Jesus must be the center of everything."

I do not take Brother Bartleman's warning lightly. The danger of

a Christless Pentecost is very real today. I say to you it is possible

to gather Spirit-filled people in one place, praising and lifting up

their hands - and still have Christ walking among them as a stranger!

It's true He said, "Where two or three have gathered together in My

name, there I am in their midst." (Matt. 18:20 NASB) But He can

be in our midst as a stranger! Ignored, unrecognized - even by those

who meet in His name! The Jews gathered every Sabbath in the

synagogue to speak of His name, and to prophesy of His coming.

They praised the name of the Father who promised to send Him.

They spoke the Messiah's name with awe and reverence. Then,

when He came and walked among them - He was not recognized!

He was a stranger to them!

Christ, a stranger in the midst of a Spirit-filled congregation? A

stranger in the midst of those who speak His name - who worship

the Father who sent Him? A stranger to those who sing His

hosannas, who call Him "Lord, Lord"?

Yes! Absolutely yes! It is not only possible - it is happening

among God's chosen people today!...

-Read the full article below-

http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=3353

In Jesus,

Tyrone

Jesus Took Away Our Sin

John 1:29

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

If we really understood this passage of scripture we would understand that those who are in Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit are no longer slaves to sin, and death has no more power over us.

The Spirit of God has been recently teaching me more of what Jesus truly did for believers and for the entire world. As John says in 1st John 2:2, “And He Himself is the propitiation (atonement) for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”

The sinless sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross effectively un-did all that Satan did in the Garden of Eden through the deception of Adam and Eve. The scripture tells us in Romans 5:19 “For as by one man’s disobedience (Adam) many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience (Jesus) many will be made righteous.”

We also read in 1st John 3:8

“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”

God was manifested in the flesh and destroyed ALL the works of the devil, Satan has no more power or authority over the true saints of God! He can only do what the Sovereign God allows him to. What a wonderful salvation God has given us through His Son.

He was also manifested to TAKE AWAY our sins! 1st John 3:5

“And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.”

Take a look at Hebrews 2:14

“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,”

When Jesus tasted death for us all He destroyed the devil! And He took his power of death! What a magnificent and awe inspiring truth! Jesus holds the keys of death and hades.

Revelation 1:18

“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”

It is Jesus who has ALL power and authority, it is Jesus who holds the keys of Hades and Death, He is the Judge and the executer of the wrath of Almighty God!

Hebrews 2:9

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.”

There is no reason for us to neglect so great a salvation, there is no reason for us to continue to commit sin without the power to stop. There is no reason to remain in bondage to sin and the lusts of the flesh, in Christ we have been set free from sin and death, how could we live in it any longer?

1st John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

In Christ we have the victory over sin, the flesh, Satan, and the world, let us live and walk in the victory that was won for us on Calvary by the precious shed blood of Jesus.

Love In Christ,
Tyrone