BIG Grace
Grace (as found in Webster's 1828 Dictionary)
GRACE , n. [L. gratia, which is formed on the Celtic; Eng. agree, congruous, and ready. The primary sense of gratus, is free, ready, quick, willing, prompt, from advancing.]
1. Favor; good will; kindness; disposition to oblige another; as a grant made as an act of grace.
Or each, or all, may win a lady's grace.
2. Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him.
And if by grace,then it is no more of works. Rom 11.
3. Favorable influence of God; divine influence or the influence of the spirit, in renewing the heart and restraining from sin.
My grace is sufficient for thee. 2 Cor 12.
4. The application of Christ's righteousness to the sinner.
Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. Rom 5.
5. A state of reconciliation to God. Rom 5:2.
6. Virtuous or religious affection or disposition, as a liberal disposition, faith, meekness, humility, patience, &c. proceeding from divine influence.
7. Spiritual instruction, improvement and edification. Eph 4:29.
8. Apostleship, or the qualifications of an apostle. Eph 3:8.
9. Eternal life; final salvation. 1 Pet 1:13.
10. Favor; mercy; pardon.
A rigid definition is hardly possible, but still a single conception is actually present in almost every case where "grace" is found - the conception that all a Christian has or is, is centered exclusively in God and Christ, and depends utterly on God through Christ. The kingdom of heaven is reserved for those who become as little children, for those who look to their Father in loving confidence for every benefit, whether it be for the pardon so freely given, or for the strength that comes from Him who works in them both to will and to do.
"Therefore will the Lord wait that he may be gracious unto you." - Isa_30:18God often DELAYS IN ANSWERING PRAYER. We have several instances of this in sacred Scripture. Jacob did not get the blessing from the angel until near the dawn of day-he had to wrestle all night for it. The poor woman of Syrophenicia was answered not a word for a long while. Paul besought the Lord thrice that "the thorn in the flesh" might be taken from him, and he received no assurance that it should be taken away, but instead thereof a promise that God's grace should be sufficient for him. If thou hast been knocking at the gate of mercy, and hast received no answer, shall I tell thee why the mighty Maker hath not opened the door and let thee in? Our Father has reasons peculiar to himself for thus keeping us waiting. Sometimes it is to show his power and his sovereignty, that men may know that Jehovah has a right to give or to withhold. More frequently the delay is for our profit. Thou art perhaps kept waiting in order that thy desires may be more fervent. God knows that delay will quicken and increase desire, and that if he keeps thee waiting thou wilt see thy necessity more clearly, and wilt seek more earnestly; and that thou wilt prize the mercy all the more for its long tarrying. There may also be something wrong in thee which has need to be removed, before the joy of the Lord is given. Perhaps thy views of the Gospel plan are confused, or thou mayest be placing some little reliance on thyself, instead of trusting simply and entirely to the Lord Jesus. Or, God makes thee tarry awhile that he may the more fully display the riches of his grace to thee at last. Thy prayers are all filed in heaven, and if not immediately answered they are certainly not forgotten, but in a little while shall be fulfilled to thy delight and satisfaction. Let not despair make thee silent, but continue instant in earnest supplication.
| Bigger Grace: Changed and Changing Posted: 08 Dec 2009 01:35 PM PST "To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 1:2-3) We're calling this week's devotionals "Bigger Grace" because God's grace to us sinners is always bigger than we think it is. Just when we start to think we understand how much good He gives to us -- and how very little we deserve it -- we discover either that we are far less deserving than we thought or His goodness is even more huge. Today's passage says a phenomenal thing: We Christians are both already "sanctified" and also "called to be holy." That means God has already changed our DNA, made us fundamentally different people than we were before we trusted in Jesus. Our identity and potential to live for Jesus are no longer the same -- and will never be changed back. Notice what the God of grace doesn't say to us: "I've given you a chance for a fresh start. Don't blow it. Prove yourself to me, or I'll put you back on the road to hell." Nope, He says this instead, "I've changed you now and for good. You are not the same you. I've made you mine. Now live like the person you are -- and are becoming." Think: As a Christian, do you think of yourself as being truly changed in some way, already sanctified? Do you think of yourself as having a mission from God to live a holy life? Why or why not? Pray: Thank God that you have been sanctified in Christ Jesus and ask Him to help you to be holy. Do: Look up the words grace, sanctified, and holy in a dictionary. |
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