The Paradox of God's Grace
Observations of Bible Truth for Today
In Paul’s “the gospel of the grace of God” we find a striking paradox. There we see God Himself;
Observations of Bible Truth for Today
In Paul’s “the gospel of the grace of God” we find a striking paradox. There we see God Himself;
Ask the average believer what the Bible word “grace” means, and he will doubtless reply, “unmerited favor.” Actually, however, grace is much more than this.
Subjectively, grace is that loving attitude, or disposition, on God’s part, from which all His kindness toward us flows.
Objectively, grace is all the kindness that flows from His love toward us.
If you have ever been a part of a ‘religion’ you probably have received a few sacraments. I was baptized as an infant in the Roman Catholic church, which to them is supposedly important, but in reality, it is totally meaningless.
“And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, …” (Ezra 9:8)
If you know anything about the history of Israel, it was a constant series of them sinning, God punishing them, them repenting, and then “a little space” of grace in between, such as this space that came after the punishment of Israel’s Babylonian captivity.
This is to explain how Israel and her Kingdom gospel program was set aside for a time… while God brought a new Grace gospel program to the Gentiles through the Apostle Paul.
Man’s “religious works” to try and make himself acceptable to God are rejected by God. Paul wrote.
“… you are not under Law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God's favor and mercy].” (Romans 6:14b (AMP)
In Ephesians 1:13 the Apostle Paul declares that men today are saved and sealed “with the Sprit” by… hearing and believing “the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.”
These verses gives us the core basis for a secure salvation by God's grace through faith alone ... in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
1Cor 15:3-4 I (Paul) delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures
As we know, Paul wrought mighty miracles, as Peter and the Pentecostal believers had done. In fact, a comparison of Paul's miracles with those of Peter shows Paul's to have been the mightier. This was mainly in divine confirmation of his apostleship, since Paul was not one of "the twelve" (2 Cor. 12:11-12).
Its easy see the focus of Paul's ministry as "the Apostle to the Gentiles." Below are but some of the ninety-one times Paul uses the word "grace" in His thirteen epistle to "the church which is His (Christ's) body."
"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and THE MINISTRY Which (Paul) I HAVE RECEIVED OF THE LORD JESUS...