Some Grace!

Good morning brothers and sisters. This morning I want to chew on a topic. I want to discuss grace. But really what does grace mean? We hear it all the time. God's grace! But what does it truly mean. Well, first we need to know what grace means, well the Biblical definition of grace. I could go into this long explanation but here is the meat and potatoes of grace- God's favor towards the unworthy! Before Jesus, we had the law. The law was not perfect. It was broken. But Jesus came and fulfilled the law. He became our law. And when He became our law, He brought grace. Grace saves us! Ephesians 2:8- For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,. Jesus became our grace. We did not deserve for Him to come and be our grace. We didn't deserve it then and we don't deserve it now. But He willingly became our grace. He crucified Himself to save us. The law did not extend grace. Jesus did. Grace gives us victory over sin. James 4:6- But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud. But gives grace to the humble." When we admit we are sinners and that we sin, Jesus' blood covers it. I heard a pastor say just this week, "Don't ever say that you don't sin. Because even though I am a pastor, I sin." See he is not to proud to say, "I get it wrong sometimes." But it is by grace that He is forgiven and justified. But I will tell you to take heed, grace is given to the humble, not the proud. Now go back and read Ephesians 2:8. Now read Ephesians 4:7- But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Do you see the connection? Grace is a gift from God. When a gift is given, it is someone giving you something and it doesn't cost you. But and this is a huge but; BUT it cost the giver something. And the giver of grace, Jesus, it cost Him crucifixion. It cost Him, not you! Today, do not take for granted the gift that Jesus so freely gives to you. Be humble! Be thankful! And the second, extend grace to someone else! Repent, refresh, revive! Rise up children of God, rise up!