GRACE – Powerful and Amazing!

2 Peter 3:18
But grow in grace , and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him
be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

What is Grace? We can define Grace from the Greek word charis (khar'-ece); meaning
graciousness, unmerited benefit and favor. However there is much more to Grace then
this.

However. we often only think of Grace in the context of when we excepted the work of
the cross for our salvation? In other words we think of it in the past tense. Yet, in this
quote from Peter, we see that we are to grow in Grace. This would indicate that Grace is
not just a one time event in a believer’s life, but it is a growing process. The word grow
comes from the Greek word auzano (owx-an'-o), a verb, that denote the action of
enlarging, giving increase or to grow up. Why is it so important that we grow in Grace?
Simple put, Grace is the power of God, manifested through His son Jesus Christ. To
what do we compare Grace? Grace is like the electric power we seek to light our homes
and cities. We have houses full of light bulbs, but they provide no light until the power is
added. Without Grace we can accomplish nothing, however, with it we can move
mountains. When did we first comprehend the power of Grace? The day we were saved.

Eph 2:1-10
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once
walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the
air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all
once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of
the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4 But God, who is rich
in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in
trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and
raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7
that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His
kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 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.

“By Grace you have been saved”. The power of God’s Grace made you alive, raised you
up and made you to sit in heavenly places with Christ Jesus. His power of Grace was
something that mankind did not understand until Jesus brought it to us.
John 1:14-17
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. 15 John bare witness of him,
and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred
before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace
for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus
Christ. KJV

For a believer to grow in God’s power, they must grow in the knowledge and power of
Grace. We find an example of this in Acts 4:33, And with great power gave the apostles
witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. The
word Great, comes from the Greek word megas meaning; exceedingly, great, mighty, and
strong.

It is this power of His Grace that many in the church have fail to understand and therefore
fail to receive all the riches that comes with it. In Him we have redemption through His
blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Eph 1:7 also Eph
2:7). The word riches is defined from the Greek ploutos (ploos’tos) as; absolute wealth,
or an abundance of external possessions. In essence it is what Grace brings to us. What
are the riches that Grace offers?

The Riches of Grace are; redemption (Eph. 1:7), forgiveness (Eph.1:7), justification
(Titus 3:17) and it is this great Grace that also brings salvation (Titus 2:11) which is,
healing, safety, preservation, deliverance, and prosperity.

Oh, the Glory of His Grace (Eph 1:6) and the riches He has provide to us. How amazing
is this Grace! When Paul was in a three day battle with the messenger from Satan (2 Cor.
12:7-10) it was Grace that provide the answer to his victory. God said, “My Grace is
sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect (complete) in weakness”. The word
sufficient comes from the Greek word arkeo and it means to add what is lacking. The
word strength comes from the Greek word dumamis, which means wonderworking
power. It is where we get the English word dynamite. Grace would supply the power that
was lacking in Paul to accomplish the victory.

Grace works no different for us today. Is there a battle you are going through and what
seems to be a mountain standing in your way? Then do what God said through Zechariah
and call upon the power of God’s Grace.

'Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And
he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of "Grace, grace to it!"'" Zech 4:7

My dear family in Christ, let us apply to our lives what Paul encouraged us to do.
But as you abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and
in your love for us — see that you abound in this grace also. 2 Cor 8:7

The key to accessing this great power of Grace is – Faith in the Grace giver – God, as He
has provided it through His Son, Jesus Christ. In the example I gave above comparing
Grace to the power of electricity, our faith is like the switch that turns the power on or
off. Our faith in His Grace should be so strong that we shout grace to all the mountains in
our life and they shall become plains.

2 Tim 2:1-2
You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
The word Strong comes from the Greek word endunamoo (en-doo-nam-o'-o) and it
means to empower, enable, (increase in) strength (-en), be (make) strong.

Rom 5:17
For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who
receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through
the One, Jesus Christ.)

If we want to reign then we need to know the power of His Grace and how
to use it.

Abundance –perisseia (per-is-si'-ah); from NT:4052; surplusage, i.e. superabundance:

KJV - abundance (-ant, [-ly]), superfluity.

1 Peter 4:10
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the
manifold grace of God. NKJV

2 Cor 9:6-15
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows
bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart,
not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 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. 9 As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He
has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever." 10 Now may He who supplies
seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and
increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all
liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this
service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many
thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for
the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with
them and all men, 14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the
exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! NKJV

2 Thess 1:12
12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him,
according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. KJV

Love and blessings to all,

In His Service,
Dr. Rod and Maggie
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All scripture references are taken from the New King James Version
unless stated otherwise.