There are many things in life we accept and talk about but, we truly don't understand. We sing "Amazing Grace" but do we really understand what God's Amazing Grace is.

There is a little Ditty that I learned years ago and it goes like this:

Grace. God's Riches At Christ's Expense...... G R A C E !!!!!

Grace is used over 150 times in the New Testament. Grace is an ingredient in the New Testament just as Salt is an ingredient in the Sea water. Grace is often used as a word but, often misunderstood in it's meaning and function.

1, What Grace Is:
Grace have been defined many ways. "God's Unmerited Favor" is one definition.
Grace is more than that in that it is His wonderful immediate love give freely to the entire human race. God's Amazing Grace and Love was shown through His Son, Jesus Christ to a hopeless, lost, race of man.

Stop and think for a minute: Christianity is the only "religion" that offers Grace. I use the word "religion" with some reservation here. There are a lot of religions and religionists but, they are not all Christian. They are cults, clothed in "religion".

Religion and Cults dictate it's follows to give, give, give. Most of the recepients of this "giving" are "fat cat preachers", living like kings in multi-million dollar home. mercedes cars, and tailor made sharkskin suits.

Christianity, on the other hand, speaks of receiving. Religion says " here are all the works you must do to satisfy God in order that you MIGHT attain salvation.

Christianity says "here is what Christ has done for you, will you receive it"? "Here is what Christ has obtained for you, will you accept it"? "Here is what Christ has purchased for you, will you believe it"?

Here is where many people fall short of things. Salvation is of God. It is not of you, it is not part you and part God. It is of God, Himself.
Whether we are educated, moral, rich, poor, illiterate, immoral, white , black, brown, yellow, striped or polka dot, doesn't matter. God's Grace and Salvation is available to ALL. John 3:16 states "for God so loved the world"........... that includes us all in the human race.

Here's something that we must also realize that all mankind are sinners. We are sinners by nature and we are sinners by choice. Have any of you said to yourselves, "I am not going to sin today"? How many of you achieved that statement to yourselves? We can not save ourselves therefore, we need someone greater than ourselves to save us. One of the hardest things to do, is to get a good person to admit they are a sinner,, in need of salvation. Alcoholics,. drug addicts, etc. know and admit they need help. We as mankind, must admit that we too, are an addict to sin and, that we need help. Most people do not look at themselves as an addict to sin but, stop and take a look at it from a different point of view. You do it, you don't want to but, you do it and you and I receive the consequences of it and from it.

Grace gives Glory to God, works gives Glory to mankind. It says "look what I have accomplished, look what I have achieved"! Listen, You will not stand before God someday and tell him that you merit Salvation based on your accomplishments, your position, your prestige, your works, and your popularity. These will not suffice!
Church attendance, baptism, tithing, church membership, faithfulness, etc. are all good but, none of these will merit you Heaven. If they do, then, where does the thief on the cross, fit in to this scenario or picture.
He had none of these, could not achieve none of these, etc. yet, Christ promised him Eternal Live with Him.
Romans 6: 23 says that Eternal Life is a GIFT OF GOD. God's Grace will save you because Christ died for you. It is received by Believing On Christ, not just in Christ. The Devil and his demons believe in Christ, they know who He is but, they have not believed On Christ, Put their faith and trust in Him for salvation. We believe on Christ, Admit our sin, repent of it, turn to Jesus and ask Him to save us. By doing this, we place our salvation in Christ and On Christ and not in or on ourselves.

2. Where Grace Originated:
Grace originated in the heart of God before the world began. God had a plan, God has a plan and He will fulfill that plan. Apostle Paul said it this way, Eph 1: 4-7
A. He (God) has made us accepted in the beloved. (in Jesus) --A Person
B. In whom we have redemption ( have redemption--present possession)--A Possession
C. Through the blood ( not water, not works, not rituals or ceremonialism)--A Provision
D. Why? Here's the good part. "for the forgiveness of sin-------------------------A Purpose

Everything that God has done from Genesis 1 to the end of Revelation is for the purpose and the provision for sinful mankind which is God's plan and it became known by the Son of God Christ Jesus--The person.

How many of you lovingly and willingly do things for people who ignore you, deny you, desert you, and question everything that you do? That's the difference between you (man) and God!

3. What Grace Does.

God provides salvation to all levels of mankind as I mentioned earlier. I am glad we don't have to be sinless to be accepted. Ever sing the song "Just as I Am? We sing it but, do we really believe it or understand it? This song is about God's grace. He accepts us just as we are; exactly where we are. Here's a news flash too but, you are not hidden from God, even when you deny Him or ignore Him. He knows you by name and He knows you better than you know yourself. You see, God can not be surprised!

God's Grace not only saves us,. by trusting Christ as our Personal Saviour, but, because Christ died for you, God's Grace will also sustain you throughout your life. You are no longer your own. You are a purchased possession of God, through Christ Jesus. Now, I ask this question. How can steal a possession from God?
I am glad that I am His and He is mine. He loves me, He saved me, He keeps me, He sustains me and one day, He will call me to the beautiful home, He has prepared for me and for all who trust in God's Amazing Grace.

Amen and Amen.

Oldbiker