Focus: The Grace Of God (Pt.2)

Text: 2Tim.1:9

"And grace, which was GIVEN us in Christ Jesus before the world began."

God is the source and giver of grace, and Christ is the sole channel of grace. Grace is connected to God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Grace is given. The Word says, "but he GIVETH grace unto the lowly" (Prov.3:34). We read in Proverbs that Wisdom "shall GIVE to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee" (Prov.4:9). God is the bestower of grace. Paul tells us of the "grace of God BESTOWED on the churches of Macedonia" (2Cor.8:1).

Grace is given, not acquired. Peter says to the sorcerer, "Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money" (Act.8:20). Jesus Christ says, "Freely ye have received, freely give" (Mt.10:8). God attaches no monetary or material price to any of His gifts. 

Therefore, grace is given to us by Christ in Christ Jesus. The river of grace flows through Christ; He is also the sphere in which grace is obtained.

God not only gives grace, He also pours it out in full. The Word says, "And I will POUR upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications" (Zech.12:10). Grace flows and overflows. It is a fountain that ever flows. Christ is full of grace, and from His fullness we keep receiving it.

Grace is not only given; it is also received. John writes, "And of his fulness have all we RECEIVED, and grace for grace" (Jh.1:16). Paul says, "They which receive abundance of grace…" (Rom.5:17). Grace that is given is meant to be received, for what is the benefit of grace if it is not received or appropriated as given?

Paul tells you two things you must not do with grace. He says, "That ye receive not the grace of God in vain" (2Cor.6:1). Grace is given you for a purpose; don't thwart that purpose, and don't abuse or waste that grace. He says, "I do not frustrate the grace of God" (Gal.2:21). Let grace do its work in your life. Let grace flourish in your garden. Let it bloom and blossom. Do not frustrate it! Do not hinder the flow, growth and work of grace! Do not become a clog in the wheel of grace! Let grace have its way and sway! 

The author of Hebrews says, "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God" (Heb.12:15). Grace never fails; rather, it avails and prevails. But you can make it fail. You can void the power and purpose of grace. You can fail grace. You can be a disappointment to the power and presence of grace in your life. Don't make a failure of the grace of Christ!

What's the purpose of grace? The author of Hebrews says, "let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear" (Heb.12:28). Grace is given to be used in service to God. Grace is a divine energy in you. By the ability of grace in you, you serve the will of God. Grace is an enabler. From the moment you receive it, it is activated and enabled in your spirit. It is a driving force in your heart.

Grace is not only given; it is also sought for. Jeremiah declares, "Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword FOUND grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest" (Jer.31:2). Noah found grace in the sight of God, and those who come boldly to the throne of grace obtain mercy and find grace to help in the nick of time.

Grace has in it all the resources needed for a meaningful existence in this world. Find your grace! Receive it! Fulfill your place on earth with it!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter