THE POWER OF GRACE

THE POWER OF GRACE

“But where sin abounds, grace did much more abound:

that as sin has reigned unto death, even so might grace reign

through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”

(Romans 5:20-21)

This month we are sending out a pamphlet to those who send in a gift to Hope and Helps Ministry.  The pamphlet is entitled “The Power of the Grace of God” by L. R. Shelton, Jr.  It is a good study on God’s Grace.  We pulled out some of the observations Brother Shelton made on the power of grace to encourage you in your walk with the Lord.  

Grace is powerful and irresistible.  Without grace no one would be saved.  Grace does not merely help you or assist you, grace (God’s unmerited favor) reigns down on you replacing your sin nature with the nature of a child of the Most High.  Glory!  Paul repeats this praise when he said, “By the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed on me was not in vain” (1st Corinthians 15:10).  

Irresistible Grace Seeks Us Out.  “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).  John 10:3 tells us that Christ by His Spirit through this irresistible, reigning grace “calls His own sheep by name and leads them out.”  “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand” (John 10:27-28). If the Holy Spirit of the Living God did not seek us out and find us, lost as we were, we would never have been saved.  

God’s grace poured out on the new believer also begins a work to convict of sin.  It is only the irresistible grace of God that reigns through righteousness that can so convict a man of his sins that he forever despairs of self and cries after God for mercy.  “Then said I, ‘Woe is me!  For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts'” (Isaiah 6:5).  The child of God rests in the knowledge that it is only through the righteousness of Christ and His precious blood that he is cleansed and clothed.

Grace Produces Regeneration.  We can no more regenerate our own selves than we can grow a new arm or leg.  We are not born-again because we believe — we believe because we are born-again.  Only God gives us the power to become the Sons of God.  “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” (John 1:12).

Grace Restrains Us.  Surrounded by temptations, within and without, God’s grace holds us back.  His grace prevents us from doing things that would harm and damage our immortal soul.  We are “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the Last Time” (1st Peter 1:5).

God’s Grace Sanctifies.  God’s grace saves us from the pollution of sin by the power of sanctifying grace.  Daily, the power of grace manifests itself against our indwelling sin: sin(s) of the flesh.  We thank God for the power of sanctifying grace in our lives that reigns over the power of indwelling sin, and delivers us daily from its pollution (Romans 6:14; 8:4). 

Grace Supports Us.  We have a constant need for God’s supporting grace, when flesh, the world, and the devil come against us with their combined forces.  Threats, attacks, trials and persecution!  How do we overcome these?  James 4:6 tells us, “He gives more grace” and 2nd Corinthians 12:9 tells us, “My grace is sufficient!” 

Last, God’s Grace Helps Us Persevere.  We have seen how we were brought out of the bondage of sin and antagonism towards God and His Christ, and how we were delivered from the second death of Hell.  We have been restored, sanctified, and supported.  But how are we to continue the rest of our journey?  How are we to hold out in the daily battles of Christian warfare and fight the fight of faith?  The answer is the same – God’s powerful and irresistible grace!  Philippians 1:6 “He which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the Day of Jesus Christ.”  What God has started in your life, He will bring to completion.  Grace so works in our hearts by the Holy Spirit that we are enabled to persevere to the end (Jude 1:24)!  Hallelujah!  Give Glory to our God, thanking Him for His irresistible grace!

Selah.