God's Amazing Grace

 The Amazing Grace of God

I. In the Old Testament. The rule of first mention in the Bible.
The very first time an important word is mentioned in the Bible, which is usually in Genesis, we find the most complete and accurate meaning for that concept and foundation for greater development in later parts of the Bible. 

The word “grace” is mentioned 159 times in the King James version. The understanding of the grace of God was highly important to New Testament Christianity, but is little understood in the church today. Most pastors, ministers and Christians can quote one very common definition of grace- the unmerited favor of God which leads us to experience salvation through Jesus Christ. Let us take a deep dive into the fuller meaning of the amazing grace of God.

Dr. Denver Cheddie wrote that “God's grace is one of the most fundamental doctrines of our Christian faith. Without God's grace, Christianity does not exist. Through God's grace we have salvation, forgiveness, a relationship with God, access to God's throne, the ability to endure trials and sustaining power for our Christian walk.” (Denver Cheddie, What is Grace? www.bibleissues.org).

A. Genesis 6:8, (KJV) 8. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. (NIV- favor).

Hebrew- 2834, root word “Hanan”- to show mercy, kindness, favor, grace. IE. To find favor in the eyes of God.

B. The priestly blessing is found in Numbers 6: 22-27.

22. The Lord said to Moses, 23. “Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: 24. “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25. the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26. the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” 27. So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

C. Hebrew for “gracious” is #2858 in the Kohlenberger's Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible, NIV.

Hanan- to show favor, to be kind, to show mercy. Describes God's character and actions toward mankind. Yahweh is gracious toward His people.

Webster's Dictionary- Grace is the root word of gracious and is a noun. Gracious is an adjective used to describe someone who is merciful and compassionate. We serve a God who is full of mercy, compassion and kindness.

Isaiah 26:10. But when grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil and do not regard the majesty of the Lord.

Zechariah 12:10. Prophesied about the days after Jesus was crucified on the Cross. “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication.

Hebrew- #2834.- to show mercy, kindness, favor. Could be written, the Spirit of grace referring to the time when Jesus would pour out the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Jerusalem.

II. Meaning and use of the word “grace” in the New Testament

Greek- #5921, charis which means: favor, gift, benefit, credit and blessing.

Charisma- a gracious gift. IE. A highly charismatic minister is abundantly blessed with God's favor and anointing. Additional meanings based on context of the scriptures: divine enablement, power and anointing.

Grace (charis) is used in the following ways:

A. As a greeting or closing in Apostle Paul's letters to the 8 chuches: Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians.

Paul pronounced a blessing of God's favor and mercy on the churches in his epistles. It was not just a casual greeting. He must have thought it was an important thing for him to do as their apostle. When we bless people with grace and peace, God watches over his words to perform them. Many pastors, priests or other clergy pronounce blessings over their people today.

One can't help but wonder how different children would be if their fathers pronounced a blessing upon them each morning or when they put them to bed at night. The blessing of a father carries great weight and influence upon the future success and development of a child. 

Romans 1:7. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 13:14. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

2 John 1:3. Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

Personal example. Say a blessing over myself. “I am blessed and highly favored.” or for others, “May you be blessed and highly favored.”

Luke 1:28, The angel went to her (Mary) and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

B. Spiritual Gifts given by the Holy Spirit- “grace gifts”.

1. Grace Gifts. Romans 12:6-8 (TPT) 6 God’s marvelous grace imparts to each one of us varying gifts. So if God has given you the grace-gift of prophecy, activate your gift by using the proportion of faith you have to prophesy. 7 If your grace-gift is serving, then thrive in serving others well. If you have the grace-gift of teaching, then be actively teaching and training others. 8 If you have the grace-gift of encouragement, then use it often to encourage others. If you have the grace-gift of giving to meet the needs of others, then may you prosper in your generosity without any fanfare. If you have the gift of leadership, be passionate about your leadership. And if you have the gift of showing compassion, then flourish in your cheerful display of compassion. 

2. Nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit- I Corinthians 12: 7-11, 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a word of wisdom, to another a word of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

3. The fruit of the Spirit is a gift of grace also. We cannot produce the fruit of the Spirit by ourselves; it is impossible. It is only by the grace of the Lord Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit can we be transformed into the image of God and the likeness of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Remember-- we are not under the law, but we are blessed with the grace of God.

4. Tongues is a grace gift that came at Pentecost.

Acts 2:4, All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. A gift given to believers by the Holy Spirit.

Acts 19:6, When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Ephesians 6:18, And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Intercessors need this power gift so the Holy Spirit can pray through them to bring about tremendous changes in the heavenlies and in the natural world.

Important Note. If someone is having trouble receiving their prayer language,

1. It may be because they have not completely surrendered their heart, soul and mind to the Lord Jesus. They are still trying to be in control of their life and make their own decisions. They do not want the Spirit of Holiness being in control of their character and life.

Matthew 22:37, Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

2. They are being double-minded about receiving their prayer language. God will not give them His gift of tongues until they want it completely and without reservation. Having doubt, unbelief, fear, confusion over the question, will keep people from receiving their prayer language.

James 1:6-8. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

5. Five-fold Ministries- Ephesians 4:7 and 11-12. 7. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. … 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.

These ministers are God's gift to the body of Christ to provide leadership, teaching and training. God has graced them with divine enablement to answer the call on their lives.

C. To show the favor and blessings of God on Jesus and his disciples.

Luke 2:40. And the child (Jesus) grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. #5921- charis means favor or blessings that comes through obedience to God's commandments and love for the Lord. It does not mean “unmerited favor” was given to the son of God. Jesus was perfect and without sin. Jesus was God's only son whom He loved.

John 1:14. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

*John 1:16-18. 16. From the fullness of his grace (Jesus), we have received one blessing after another. 7 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

D. To show the power of God displayed in Jesus' ministry and that of the disciples and apostles. Because of the grace upon them, they were able to do signs, wonders and miracles.

Acts 4:33. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all.

Acts 6:8. Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.

Acts 14:3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.

E. God predestined us before our birth to pour out His grace on us.

Galatians 1:15. But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased

2 Timothy 1:9. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.

F. God gives us above and beyond what we need.

1 Timothy 1:14. (Paul said)The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:7. in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

G. To extend grace to others. Just as God has poured out abundant grace on us, we need to extend grace to others when they disappoint us, offend us, or don't measure up to our expectations. We give others grace by manifesting the fruit of the Spirit toward them.

Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

III. What does the number 5 Mean in the Bible?

God’s grace, mercy, and favor

Number 5 is mentioned in the Bible a total of 318 times. This number is directly linked to God’s grace, mercy, and favor. The grace of God is described as an unmerited favor that comes as a result of God’s love. The New Testament is seen as the perfect tale of God’s grace. (internet source not copied).

Transformation of Man

In the Bible, number 5 is used to symbolize divine transformation. This is the number that takes men from nobody to somebody according to God’s will.

Miracle

Another show of God’s favor was in the miracle of the 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes. With the power in symbolic 5, Jesus only had to give thanks to God and suddenly, 5 loaves of bread were enough to feed 5,000 people.

IV. Quotes by other Christian ministers.

A. What is Grace? The definition and meaning of God's grace (www.bibleissues.org)
Written by Dr. Denver Cheddie. An ordained minister and Bible teacher with the Church of God in Cleveland, TN.

"God’s grace is one of the most fundamental doctrines of Christianity. Without God’s grace, Christianity does not even exist. Through God’s grace, we have: salvation, forgiveness of sins, a relationship with God, access to God’s throne, the ability to endure trials, and sustaining power in our Christian walk."

6 Points we need to understand about the grace of God.

1. Saved by grace (Only a few scriptures were chosen to illustrate each point.)

Ephesians 2:8-9. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace (#5921) with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

2. Grace vs law

John 1:17, For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:14. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

3. Frustrating the grace of God (IE. Living according to the law, insulting the Holy Spirit, holding on to a bitter root of judgment, being proud, religious spirit)

Galatians 2:21, I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Hebrews 10:29. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?

Hebrews 12:15. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Bitter root judgments causes us to reap what we have sowed toward others.

James 4:6. But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Other examples of sinful behavior includes: liars, thieves, being hypocritical, judgmental, evil thoughts and intentions, occult activities, witchcraft or giving place to religious spirits.

Biblical illustration from Acts 5:4. The story of Peter dealing with Ananias and Sapphira on how much money they sold their property for to give to the church. Satan filled his heart and they lied to the Holy Spirit. We frustrate the grace of God when we lie and try to cheat others.

God does not withdraw His grace from us, but we take ourselves out from under His grace which leaves us vulnerable to temptation, attack from the enemy and without God's divine enablement.

4. Grace for trials

2 Corinthians 12:9. But he (the Lord) said to me (Paul), “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power (#1539) is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power (#1539) may rest on me.

Greek #1539- dynamis- dynamite. supernatural power, ability, miracle working power.
When did Jesus Christ get filled with this dynamite power? At the River Jordan when he was baptized by the Holy Spirit after-- he was baptized by John the Baptist.
Through God's grace, we are given strength to endure trials. When we are weak, Jesus, anointing and power will flow through us.

1 Peter 5:10. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

5. Grace calls to ministry

Romans 1:5. Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.

Ephesians 3:7. Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

God’s Grace does not just call us to salvation, but our call to ministry is also by the grace of God. His gifts are distributed according to his grace. We are saved solely on the basis of Christ’s atonement on the cross and through no merit of our own.

6. Grow in Grace As we come to understand more about God's grace and repent of those things that frustrate his grace, we will be given more grace to help in time of need.

2 Peter 3:18. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. Increase, mature in Christ, greater power, greater wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

How do we grow in Grace?
1. Staying humble before the Lord and with people.
2. Not frustrating the grace we have been given.
3. Repenting to God and asking forgiveness of people we have offended.
4. Praying for more grace to be manifested in our life.
5. Extending grace to others even when they don't deserve it.

B. What is “The Grace of God?” (Notes from a sermon by Bill Johnson pastor of Bethel Church, Bethel, CA on the internet. Posted on March 13, 2013 by cmardern).

1. The apostate church out of the Protestant Reformation through the teachings of Calvin and Luther subtly perverted the concept of “grace”, just as they perverted the Sovereignty of God. Why did they teach this heresy? So they could live in sin and still be counted righteous before God. Today it is referred to as “cheap grace.” Where people call them Christians, but they have never repented of their sins. They want to escape hell and go to heaven without turning away from their sinful lifestyle.

2. The biblical definition of “grace” is the power of God, not the unmerited favor of God. GRACE is HIS power that is imparted to us by the Holy Spirit. We are saved by grace (“the power of God”) through faith….meaning; We through faith have the “gift” of the power of God to live righteously.

John 1:14, And the Word was made 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.

Jesus Christ was not full of “unmerited favor.” He was full of power, peace and truth.

Bill Johnson says, “The false understanding of grace has put the congregations to sleep, as it produces the bad fruit of a passive faith.

Galatians 1:6. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel. According to Johnson, The false teaching of grace today as being UNMERITED FAVOUR is another gospel.

3. Derek Prince, Foundational Truths for Christian Living. 2005.

a. In order for a sinner to avail himself of God's grace, there must be a definite, personal transformation by faith-- between the sinner and God. (p. 175). He must be born-again and filled with the Holy Spirit.

b. Grace and living in sin are mutually exclusive: If we have counted ourselves dead to sin and alive to Christ, then we are living and walking in God's grace (favor, blessings, power). If we are not dead to sin (unrepentant), then we have not availed ourselves of God's grace. For it takes the grace of God, to live the life of holiness and purity God requires of us. When we have truly availed ourselves of the grace of God, sin no longer has any power over us. (This is what Bill Johnson was referring to. Thinking you can be saved without true, sincere repentance and asking for forgiveness for your sins).

c. Grace and works are mutually exclusive. A person either is operating by his own natural works trying to be saved and in relationship with God, or he is living by God's grace (favor and blessings). You can't have it both ways.

Romans 11:6. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were grace would no longer be grace.

4. According to Graham Cooke, grace is not merely God's unmerited or undeserved favor. “Grace is the empowering Presence of God that enables you to become the person that God sees every time He looks at you.” (p.150). God's grace opens us to the incredible future that belongs to us in Christ. For we have been predestined to walk in the riches of His grace, which He has lavished on us” (21^st Game Changers, Aglow International, 2013).

5. Pat James' definition- Grace is God's divine enablement abiding in us that helps us to accomplish His will and His purposes in His kingdom. By God's divine enablement, Jesus was able to lay down his life to be crucified for our sins so He could be raised to new life by the power of the Holy Spirit. This definition has been derived from years of experience in ministry, studying the ways of God and reading the works of countless other seasoned ministers. 

1 Corinthians 15:10. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

Grace is used four times as divine enablement in the scripture below: 1. the grace of God given to the churches. 2. an act of grace by the people in Macedonian church. 3. financial generosity was the grace of giving. 4. the grace of our Lord Jesus.

This passage is clearly not talking about unmerited favor, but divine enablement on God's part toward the people of God.

2 Corinthians 8: 1-9. 8. "And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4. they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6. So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7. But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 8. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich."

Conclusion. To quote Dr. Denver Cheddie again, “Through God's grace we have salvation, forgiveness, a relationship with God, access to God's throne, the ability to endure trials and sustaining power for our Christian walk.” 

We can do all things, overcome all things and be transformed into His likeness from glory to glory-- through the amazing grace of God. Would you like to have more of God's abundant grace in your life? That's simple. Ask for it. We have not, because we ask not. It is our Heavenly Father's desire for us to walk in more favor, kindness, blessings, mercy, power and the gifts of the Spirit.