Eph. 2:1-3 Our sin separates us from God because he is sinless. This separation is spiritual death.
In our sin, we live according to a world system that is influenced by Satan. We have a natural desire to sin, and God’s wrath is against the sin that condemns and separates us from him.
Eph. 2:4-7 God loved us so much that he gave his Son, Jesus, to suffer and die on the cross to receive the judgment of God’s wrath against our sins for us. By God’s grace, he unites us with Christ and gives us eternal, spiritual life.
God’s grace makes the difference between forgiveness of all our sins and being lost in our sins, between knowing God as our Father in daily fellowship and no relationship at all, between God’s Spirit living in us to help us and living in our own strength, between heaven and hell.
Grace is God’s unearned favor, kindness, blessing.
Acts 4:33 Jesus’ resurrection gives us access to great grace and great power by his Spirit living in us.
God’s grace:
I. Saves us Eph. 2:8, 9; 2 Cor. 5:20, 21
God’s love for us led him to do what he did, but it is God’s grace that saves us or rescues us from our sins. We can never earn or deserve grace by our own effort or deeds. It is the pure gift of God that we receive by faith in God and his word. By grace, God forgives all our sins, gives us his righteousness, adopts us, and gives us eternal life.
David’s kindness to Mephibosheth is a picture of God’s grace to us. 2 Sam. 9:3, 5-8, 11 We have nothing to offer God but ourselves. God’s grace takes us out of spiritual barrenness, restores every spiritual blessing in Christ, and gives us a seat at the table of fellowship with the King.
II. Teaches us Jude 1:4; Titus 2:11-13
Jude warned us of those who teach that God’s grace is a license to sin or live immoral lives. That’s not grace, it’s deception. God’s grace teaches us to reject ungodliness and live with self-control and godliness in this present evil world. God’s grace also teaches us to live with this blessed hope; our great God and Savior Jesus Christ will light up the skies with his glory when he returns to reign as King. Living with this blessed hope has a purifying effect 1 Jn. 3:2, 3.
III. Empowers us 1 Cor. 15:9, 10; Jas. 4:6
God’s grace transforms us. Grace gives us the desire to do God’s will, and the power to do it, because we can’t do God’s will without him, in our own strength We need God’s empowering grace in every temptation, trial, and difficulty. God’s grace is often revealed in our weakness, if we are humble enough to admit our need and seek God.
Acts 13:43 We can live in God’s grace every day. The life of grace begins by turning from unbelief to believe with our heart that Jesus is Lord. It’s genuine faith that follows Jesus.
2 Cor. 6:1, 2 God’s grace can be taken for granted or received by faith.
Is God speaking to your heart and drawing you to Jesus as Lord?
Is today the day God’s grace makes the difference in you?