A Place of Grace VI
Did you know that Jesus never talks about grace? At least not in the NASB translation of the Bible. The word "grace" is only used 5 times in the gospels in the NASB. First is in Luke 2:40 when Jesus' childhood is described: "and the grace of God was upon him". The other four times are in John 1 verses 14, 16, and 17. Jesus is "full of grace and truth" (vs 14) and "grace and truth" came through Him (vs. 17). Verse 16 talks of receiving "grace upon grace".
And yet we see grace so clearly throughout the gospels - in the words Jesus speaks, the miracles He does, and most poignantly in the unmerited favor He granted us in laying down His life for our sins. "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ" is a phrase repeated in Paul's letters* and I think it is striking that the word is used so much in the New Testament after Jesus' death and resurrection. God's grace is given to us in many ways but most fully in the gift of life in Christ. We can't enter into "a place of grace" without receiving that gift. And we can't stay in "a place of grace" without continually receiving God's gifts.
A place of grace is the place where we humbly accept God's favour and acceptance not because we deserve it, but because He loves us and has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus. It is a place of gratitude, cleansing, blessing, strengthening, and equipping.
While there is alot more that could be said about "a place of grace", I'm going to finish up this series of blogs with one simple thought: the place of grace is being with God: Father, Son, and Spirit and the way we enter into and remain in that place is through continually receiving the gifts He gives.
*The phrase, "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you", closes many of Paul's letters (see Rom 16:24; 1 Cor 16:23; 2 Cor 13:4; Gal 6:18; Phil 4:23; 1 Thes 5:28; 2 Thes 3:18; Phm 1:25). The rest of his letters (Eph; Col; 1 & 2 Tim; Titus) close with the phrase "Grace be with you".
And yet we see grace so clearly throughout the gospels - in the words Jesus speaks, the miracles He does, and most poignantly in the unmerited favor He granted us in laying down His life for our sins. "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ" is a phrase repeated in Paul's letters* and I think it is striking that the word is used so much in the New Testament after Jesus' death and resurrection. God's grace is given to us in many ways but most fully in the gift of life in Christ. We can't enter into "a place of grace" without receiving that gift. And we can't stay in "a place of grace" without continually receiving God's gifts.
A place of grace is the place where we humbly accept God's favour and acceptance not because we deserve it, but because He loves us and has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus. It is a place of gratitude, cleansing, blessing, strengthening, and equipping.
While there is alot more that could be said about "a place of grace", I'm going to finish up this series of blogs with one simple thought: the place of grace is being with God: Father, Son, and Spirit and the way we enter into and remain in that place is through continually receiving the gifts He gives.
*The phrase, "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you", closes many of Paul's letters (see Rom 16:24; 1 Cor 16:23; 2 Cor 13:4; Gal 6:18; Phil 4:23; 1 Thes 5:28; 2 Thes 3:18; Phm 1:25). The rest of his letters (Eph; Col; 1 & 2 Tim; Titus) close with the phrase "Grace be with you".
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