THE FOUR FORMS OF GRACE

Grace is no strange word to many believers because we hear it all the time.  The word grace is also found in the English language meaning being giving some extra time to accomplish something or make up with a deadline.  For example, a grace period to payback a debt, or to submit an assignment or a document.  The Grace found in the Bible also relates to time, but more so, it relates to something that we cannot earn or accomplish without a handout from the Lord.  Yes, the Bible talks about fighting your salvation with fear and trembling, it still doesn’t mean on your own you can make it happen.  We can all relate to one form of grace that we have knowingly received from God.

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The Holy Bible mentions four forms of grace, which will be our discussion this evening. The first is saving grace.

 

Saving Grace: In Christian discussions, the phrase "saving grace" is generally used to refer to God's grace to lead a person to salvation.  Watch the words, “God’s grace to lead a person to salvation.”  It means God does certain things that helps the believer along the way to salvation.  For example, you might have some influences or understandings around and in you that are contrary to God’s purpose for your salvation.  This is based on a variety of biblical principles that emphasize salvation as a gift of God's grace rather than something that a person earns through good deeds or actions.  Salvation requires saving grace; not by performance but by what Jesus did at Calvary.

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Justifying Grace: Rom. 3:24 God’s Grace justifies us.

Rom. 3:24, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 3:24 KJV). 

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Titus 3:7. “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

When Satan accuses us, God’s Grace justifies us.  The blood of Jesus washed us from our sins. “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Rev. 1:5).

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Teaching Grace: Titus 2:12 “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” (Titus 2:12 KJV).

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Enabling Grace: 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 

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V8) For this thing I besought the Lord trice, that it might depart from me.

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V9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”  

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We pray that God takes something away from us; we pray that God gives us the right job, the right house, the right friends, the right husband, the right wife, the right partner, and even to stop an ailment.  These are all critical and important request; yet God can say my grace is sufficient for you. This is enabling grace. Paul’s thorn in the flesh was quite discomforting and he said he prayed thrice.  He prayed 3 times and God came with the same answer.  My grace is sufficient for you.  Quit putting God under pressure. He is all knowing. He already knew that you would quote scriptures.  I am not taking it away.

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We usually are not prepared for this one, because we find scriptures that we think can put God under pressure.  Don’t be such a believer, because you will be kicking against the pricks.  Nobody can twist God’s arm.  The Pharisees and Sadducees tried to corner him by placing untold demands on Jesus, but he already knew their intentions and it failed. God will allow you to go through that challenge and he will enable you to be an overcomer.  He uses the situation to build you up and strengthen you for future and tougher ones to come.  

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Heb 4:16. “Come boldly to the throne of grace.”  He is enabling you to make it to the throne of grace.  Nobody could walk towards the throne of God or his presence in the Old Testament.  But in the New Testament, he helps us get closer to the throne of God.  God giving you a helping hand is Enabling Grace.  God will give you enabling grace to go through the pain; God gives you enabling grace that takes you to victory, but you must pass through the fire.

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Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”  There is comfort in his grace.  We go to God to ask for help and he gives you the extra boost to pass the exam.  He doesn’t take the exam away, then you will fail.  He must leave the exam there because to graduate you need to take the exam.  You cannot pray and tell God take the exam away and give me a bachelor’s degree.  You must go through the exam.

 

Zachariah 4:7, “Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shouting, crying Grace, grace unto it"

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When you plan to build, suddenly there appeared a mountain and our attitude should not be crying and feeling pity for ourselves.  No, rather he asked the mountain who art thou o great mountain.  God is going to level all the mountains that have appeared before you. When Jeremiah started the wall squatters and all kinds of obstruction stood in his way. God removed all the obstacles and the wall was built. God will remove all your obstructions.  It’s not about when he finishes but when he begins, he will complete it. He that started your good works is just enough to complete it.  Don’t worry about when he finishes it; he is faithful enough to finish it. You can trust that he will finish it. People are overtaken by fear in such a way that instead of talking to the mountain they let the mountain talk to them.

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Amen!