IT’S STILL GRACE!

IT’S STILL GRACE!

Rom 11:6

6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Rom 4:4-8

4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Here is how the Amplified New Testament reads.

Rom 4:4-5

4 Now to a laborer, his wages are not counted as a favor or a gift, but as an obligation (something owed to him).

5 But to one who, not working [by the Law], trusts (believes fully) in Him Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to him as righteousness (the standing acceptable to God). AMP

"Grace" in this sense is an attitude on God's part that proceeds entirely from within Himself, and that is conditioned in no way by anything in the objects of His favor.

n     From International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.

Titus 3:3-7

3 For we ourselves also were sometimes [were once thoughtless and misled] foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared ,

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

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

Expanding a bit on the difference between WORKS or LABOR and GRACE we can conclude that grace brings what Jesus called “soul rest.”

Matt 11:28-29

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Jesus invited those of His day who were entangled in a system of “duties for favor” to come to Him, to exchange their heavy burden of keeping laws and ordinances for His own easy yoke. It was a new concept and would have to be learned and reviewed often because it is contrary to our nature. The end result would be “rest unto your souls.”

Soul rest never excuses sin because grace has appeared! Paul felt compelled to correct this error. Some of the Romans, thinking that they understood grace, concluded that if they continued to sin it would strengthen the working of grace in their lives and honor God as the giver of grace. Their thinking was severely flawed.

Rom 5:20

20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

Rom 6:1-2

6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Dear Lord, today I will work for you not because I must but because I can. Thank you for your amazing grace! AMEN