In most churches today, people believe in a false grace that cannot save. The purpose of this packet is to teach the true biblical definition of grace from the scriptures.
Define Grace- These are the Definitions in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary
a: unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification
b: a virtue coming from God
c: a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine assistance
Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary Definition of Grace- The power and equipment for ministry
1 Peter 5:12 I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. (True Grace causes you to stand faithful.)
Examples of Grace
Grace for salvation
Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (To be saved means to be saved from sin (Matt. 1:21). So to be saved by grace means to be saved from sin by His power. Furthermore, God does not forgive and save you because you are a good person or deserved it because of your good works. But by His mercy he saves us when we repent and believe the gospel, truly laying down our life. Remember, grace is the unmerited power from God to obey what He commands of you, it is a gift of God so you can never earn it. Once you have been forgiven and you enter into grace you must remain in this state of grace. Meaning you abstain from sin and live a holy life through this grace of God. As you walk with God your focus in life is to stay close to God, always sowing to the spirit and living the life of a disciple. If you neglect your salvation and fall back into willful sin you are in danger of hell fire. You must continue in the grace of God by staying on fire for the word of God and prayer. Fasting regularly and bearing much fruit.)
1. Grace to preach Ephesians 3:8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
2. Grace to labor in God’s Word 1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
3. Grace for obedience Romans 1:5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,
4. Grace Teaches you to be Holy Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
5. Grace to serve God acceptably Hebrews 12:28-29 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.
6. Grace to be a witness Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.
7. Grace to stand Romans 5:2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
8. Grace to have dominion over sin Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.(You see from this verse: if you are under grace sin has no dominion over you, but if you are under law this means you are still in sin. To further make this point Romans 3:19 says: “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” So we see from this verse the ones who are under the law are the same ones in violation of the law, that is why there mouth is stopped and they become guilty before God. )
9. Grace for Spiritual Gifts Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophecy in proportion to our faith;
10. Grace to abound in every good work 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
11. Grace to Help in time of need Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
False Teachers give grace a different definition. They turn the grace of God into a license to sin. They say it’s ok to sin because God’s grace will cover it and nobody’s
perfect. Also, I’ve heard people say you cannot out-sin God’s Grace. This is what they were teaching in Jude 1:4 and that is what false teachers are teaching everywhere today. Remember, God’s grace is a gift, we didn’t earn it. But His grace is always given to accomplish a task according to His will. For example: Grace to save (deliver) you!
Jude 1:4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. (These condemned men were teaching that the grace of God covers you while you continue in sin. But the true grace of God doesn’t leave you in lewdness, it teaches and empowers you to overcome all sin (Titus 2:11-12).)
Verses that are commonly misunderstood and used incorrectly.
Romans 5:20-21 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
(People try to use this verse to say you can continue on in sin once you get saved and the grace of God will abound over your sin, but that is not what the scripture is saying. It is saying where sin used to abound, grace abounded much more to overcome it. We can see that when we look at the entirety of the surrounding scripture it is clear grace is given to overcome the sin. Therefore, look at what the following scripture in vs 21 is saying: that grace reigns through righteousness to eternal life. And in the verse after that, just so there will be no misunderstanding on this point, he says in Romans 6:1-2: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God Forbid! How shall we who died to sin live any longer therein?”)
John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (You see most people mistake the word grace for mercy because that is how we have been taught to see it. Even though Christ is merciful to humble people that have a heart to obey Him, this is not what this verse is saying. Let’s break this verse down: “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” This is not saying mercy and truth which is what most christians have been taught. It is saying grace and truth. Furthermore, we know from the scriptures that the law of Moses only condemned us and gave us no freedom and liberty from sin. But Jesus comes along with grace and truth which means with the commandment He brings power to obey. Remember, Jesus said that it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail (Luke 16:17). So by the grace of Jesus we have victory over our sin, and we can only boast in Him.)
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