malvisguy212:
Unfortunately, thread like this don't make the homepage.

Scholar8200:
Many describe grace as unmerited favour but I am yet to find this definition impliedly or expressedly stated in the Bible!(IF YOU HAVE PLS SHOW US)

I fear this definition of grace being unmerited favour laid the foundation of people seeing it as God's ticket enabling us travel the broad way and enter through the strait gate!


To others, Grace is forgiveness of sins nothing more! Yes it includes but is not limited to forgiveness

If that was the case then why was Jesus being a task master when after forgiving the woman caught in adultery He told her to go and sin no more? Were His Words not Spirit and Life by which the woman was to be empowered for victory after forgiveness?

Why didnt He say," daughter, I know you are weak;any time you commit adultery just remind the Father of today and ask Him for forgiveness!!!


Grace is illustrated in:

1. God strengthening our hands such that we are enabled to break a bow of steel; Psalm 18:34
2. Enabling us to walk on water while we set our minds on Him (faith)
3. God Dwelling in us and walking in us
4. God working in us that which is well pleasing in His sight
5. Grace is God asking Moses to divide the red sea by stretching out his rod and when Moses complies God sent forth a blast to do the dividing
etc
6. Grace is God transforming a raving terrorist-like Saul and making him an apostle whose heart was so saturated with love that he wished God would banish him to hell if only that will lead to the salvation of his main persecutors - the Jews!

What then is Grace? Grace transcends forgiveness to an entitlement to partake of the Divine nature (2 Peter 1:3,4)

Grace is God's power working in us that which is well pleasing in His sight through our faith enabling us to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. It is defined as the Spirit quickening us such that, inspite of human frailty, we are empowered to live in holiness!

Romans 8:11

3 according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

4 whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2Peter 1:3,4

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Romans 8:11

The quickening here is not resurrection or healing but the work of the Spirit Who also mortifies the carnal nature vs 13.

While we are not saved by works but faith, Grace that comes in through faith manifests itself by works hence the Epistles commence with the revelation of salvation and ends with practical works of faith expected from those who profess faith lest they be deceived!


Besides, unlike the I-serve-you-you-bless-me mindset prevalent today, true service to God is only possible by His Grace tantamount to His Power and he that serves by this Provision does not pray or approach God with an air of entitlement but retains humility!

28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear
Hebrews 12:28





Now let's consider facts about Grace.

Facts about Grace:
1. Grace can be received in vain by the receiver; 2 Corinth 6:1

2. Frustrated by the receiver; Galatians 2:21

3. Fallen from by he that once received it? Galatians 5:4

4. Turned to lasciviousness and an occasion to serve the flesh if careful heed is not taken; Jude 4

5. Grace works in tandem with our wills and willingness? Meaning grace will only enable to the degree to which we want to go 1 Corinth 15:10

6. Grace only becomes effectual in our lives when we believe on Him Romans 5:2 hence the need to hold fast and continue in the faith.

7. Actions that contradict the grace received by faith we possess are evidences that we are no longer in the faith 2 Corinth 13:5 no matter what affirmations, emotions and feelings we experience.

8. Grace goes beyond forgiveness of sins to empowerment to live victorious lives Titus 2:11-13 and that if this aspect of grace is missing, we may profess grace but we deceive ourselves and turn God's grace into lasciviousness !

9. Sequel to (8.), if we have no earnest hunger and thirst after righteousness and purity, and only rejoice in the forgiveness aspect of grace then we have a form of godliness while denying the power thereof: a recipe for becoming reprobates in the long run like the Church in Sardis Revelation 3:1-5!

10. He that truly received grace will hunger for more John 1:16; absence of this means the person has reverted back to what he was before encountering grace 2 Peter 1:9-11

11. Grace is provided as a free Gift never to be withdrawn; however each individual must access this grace by faith and since faith is not permanent till we get to Heaven, we must take heed and be watchful lest we draw back or fall from faith!

ifenes:
This thread is shocking!! A guy who couldn't explain verses in the Bible is here posting again

Scholar8200
If that was the case then why was Jesus being a task master when after forgiving the woman caught in adultery He told her to go and sin no more? Were His Words not Spirit and Life by which the woman was to be empowered for victory after forgiveness?

Why didnt He say," daughter, I know you are weak;any time you commit adultery just remind the Father of today and ask Him for forgiveness!!!

vooks:
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How about a simple WORD STUDY of the very word GRACE.
Start with Greek, then move to Septuagint and see the corresponding Hebrew Word for Grace

This is more sensible and than quoting dozens of unrelated verses

Muafrika2:
So on point here. .
Most people here preaching extreme grace (I prefer to call it the gospel of Joseph Prince) are in fact saying that that woman above caught in adultery CANNOT sin. We are saying, it's her RESPONSIBILITY to sin no more, because she has received power to overcome it.
And true, grace is being very narrowly defined. It's BEING Defined As forgiveness ONLY. That is veeeery shallow. Because grace begins with the person of God Himself. He is a grace by Himself. His son, His gift to us, is a grace. The Spirit of God is a grace from God. Every gift of God is a grace. The best definition of grace, is power. And the powers of God enumerated, would not fit in any human dictionary.
So when talking of grace, we refer to the manifold personality of God.

Peritus:
Grace could be an unmerited favour only from the point that it's a FREE gift from God, but using that as a working definition can be misleading. This is because grace works with faith. It doesn't work where it is not welcomed. You have to accept Christ and jettison sin before grace comes to set you unto righteousness, qualifying you for the kingdom of God. Grace doesn't cover sins that we may continue in it unstained, rather in our struggle to do right and love God having faith in Him, grace comes to strengthen us. It substitutes the adamic body of ours which is susceptible to weakness and sin with His own, and thereby setting us above the law unto righteousness. With grace, you will do more work but effortlessly. Grace is not for the lazy who wants to be spoon fed.

Scholar8200:
Thanks, I prefer a contextual study of the usage of the Word. That tells us what God had in mind and what Grace does for us.

A word study denies the word its contextual usage and may be a breeding ground for error. For example, the use of umerited favour definition does not agree with some bible texts where the word is used.

vooks:

This is akin to flying backwards in a blizzard and in pitch darkness
How do you embark on 'contextual study' over a word you are totally ignorant of its meaning?
Every Language comprises of books which comprise of chapters which comprise of paragraphs,which comprise of sentences, which comprise of words, and each word carries a meaning. So words are building blocks. They are key

If you don't know the meaning of a word, any 'contextual study' you build on its usage is as valid as your (mis)understanding of the word.

The reason word studies are infrequent is because the speaker and the hearers ofttimes share some assumptions about meanings of words or phrases. But in your case, you have set to assault a popular definition of GRACE. How about you give us it's meaning in its natural context? We will then contrast your higher road, your scriptural wisdom with pop culture and if there be any sense in your higher way,mew will trash traditions and definitions of men.

You do realize that if you can't define GRACE, you can imagine it to be anything,and you would right on each count? Definitions are important; they set you on course

Once again, before mishmash of verses and quotes, what is GRACE?
That's more sensible than endless glib of what GRACE is not

Thanks

Scholar8200:
Very well:

◄ 5485. charis ►


Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

grace, favor:

From chairo; 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)

http://biblehub.com/strongs/greek/5485.htm

This definition establishes the fact that Salvation is an interplay of mercy and grace, the former deals more with the past and cancels the debt and that justly, the latter gives strength and power for the future!

vooks:

Excellent


You made that up. Can't find no hint of it from the definition you gave sir

Scholar8200:
Yes, that's my comment not from the site.

Scholar8200:
God's Righteousness At Christ's Expense

Scholar8200:
Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [And it is meant] for all who believe. For there is no distinction,
Romans 3:22 (AMP)

That is Grace! It transcends just an act of forgiveness but it is followed by an Impartation of Life! It restores not just fellowship but the Divine Nature!

◄ 5485. charis ►


Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

grace, [size=38pt]favor[/size]:

From chairo; 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, [size=38pt]favour[/size], gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy)

http://biblehub.com/strongs/greek/5485.htm

vooks:

As usual, you purport to aid Holy Spirit with inspiration by imagining stuff nonexistent from EVERY text you quote;
1. Where is forgiveness here?
2. Where is impartation of life?
3. Where is restoration of fellowship?
4. What is divine nature? The righteousness of God?
You get one cliche right out of four
You are more adept at recycling and regurgitating cliches than using scriptures

Strong's definition of Grace has FAVOR in it. We know it is not of works, it is not earned, it is a gift. How wrong is it to say GRACE is unmerited favor? Is it that it is merited or it is not favor?

FAVOR btw means accepted