Understanding Grace
Understanding Grace can be very controversial among Christians. It is often misread, misquoted, misunderstood, and many have said that it gives one the freedom to sin and takes away from holiness. Some on the other hand see it as it is okay for them to continue in their loose and carefree lifestyle.
To stand before a holy and just God, that person must be righteous. It is the sovereignty of God whereby He declares us righteous when as a sinner we repent and believe or trust in Jesus Christ. Upon Salvation the believer does not stop sinning or become perfect ceasing from sin; but will desire to sin less. God gives by grace the gift of eternal life on the sinner at the moment he believes or trusts and declares him righteous. Works issues such as paying tithes, joining a church, baptism, godly and sacrificial living are things that a believer comes to do as they grow in the grace of the Lord.
Grace is when we get something even though we don't deserve it. Jesus came to this earth in bodily form went to the cross and died a cruel death to pay for our sins. He rose again and is now in Heaven with the Father. It is because of His grace, that if we trust in Him and truly recognize that we are sinners and ask Jesus to forgive us and then we will have eternal life. Jesus died in our place so that we could have the gift of eternal life. We deserved to be punished for our disobedience to God, but Jesus took our sin and disobedience on himself, who is sinless and paid the penalty in our place.
Grace and Grace Alone
It is by grace and grace alone, God declares the sinner righteous and from that moment on the sinner justified by grace begins a process of growth toward maturity. Even though I will still sin periodically, unable to stop sinning on a permanent basis; God still declares me righteous when I have believed. Because of this grace, it is all the more reasonable to be grateful for grace.
Understanding Mercy
Mercy is the forgiveness Jesus gives us even though we are worthy of judgement. Why? Because of Adam and Eve who sinned in the garden, sin has been passed down to everyone through all generations. We are all sinners even though we don't want to admit it. We have all something wrong, said bad words, stole something, lied, had bad attitudes or behaviours. We all have sinned and therefore have turned our back on God.
A sinner deserve vengeance and their only hope for survival is grace. To not uphold the law one can come to grace; but to ignore grace leaves only the wrath of God upon the wicked and vile sinner.
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