"What 'in the world' is Grace?"

I haven't blogged in so long I was missing myself! Well, I'm back and am going to share some thoughts on one of my favorite subjects: Grace.

Most of us know some of the meanings of Grace. Two come to mind: Unmerited or undeserved favor and operational power. We know that we are saved by Grace (unmerited favor) and we are able to make it in this life by Grace (operational power). Most of the Epistles in the New Testament include the words, "Grace and Peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ", with a few variations such as the word "mercy" being added. The title I chose: "What 'in the world' is Grace?", came to me in conjunction with, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life." Grace (unmerited favor through Jesus) was sent to the world not to condemn, but to save. Jesus left the world and sent Grace(operational power through the Holy Spirit)to those who were waiting. Both aspects of Grace are alive in and through us who wait daily upon the Lord through uninterrupted fellowship. When the branch abides in the vine, there is uninterrupted fellowship. The life flows from the vine to the branch providing all that is necessary for health and well being. 2 Peter tells us that we have been given everything we need for life and godliness. So, back to Grace. We now, as the Body of Christ Jesus, having true fellowship with Christ and one another, are able to extend Grace (unmerited favor and operational power)"in the World". First to the Family of God and then to those who would come to Jesus through that Grace. We are "Grace 'in the world'".Every day we are challenged to extend undeserved love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.None of us deserved Grace nor deserve it now. That is why it is called "Grace". No one we come in contact with deserved or deserve it. That is why it is called "Grace". It is impossible for us to extend it without uninterrupted fellowship with the Father and true fellowship with one another. When we fellowship with one another in the true sense of the word, meaning, as equals, we are free to extend Grace. As we realize no one is better than the other; no one is more deserving or of greater value, true fellowship occurs and Grace flows. As far as the World is concerned, there is no fellowship, only that of unforgiving, jealousy, envy, striving, bitterness, resentment, selfishness, rudeness, backbiting, hatred, anger, competition, self-consciousness, inferiority and on and on. Beloved, if you are in Christ, you are in the World but not of the World. You are of the Kingdom of God and you have been set free to walk according to His Grace. "Amazing Grace. How sweet the Sound." Let the World hear the Sound through us as we walk in fellowship one with another.

I think I will talk more of Grace in the days to come. What does Grace sound like?

Grace, peace and mercy be yours today through God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

BarbaraJean