Grace That Transforms: God’s Work in Us

[GodsGrace]

What does this for instance sound like:
Free unlimited overflowing fullness of joy.
Free unearned unlimited unshakeable peace.
Free priceless spotless shining in glory righteousness.

Much better.
I suggest that you do not speak about a topic you most probably know nothing about.
(real shepherds).

 

[Elijah7777]

Elijah7777, in my Bible studies and surveys, I use the definition of "grace" as "God's free acceptance" of us. That acceptance transforms our lives. I wonder what forum members think of that short definition in quotes.

I attend Grace Cathedral. We believe that the grace of God is more than forgiveness—it’s divine strength to live free from sin. Grace came through Jesus Christ, fulfilling the Law and offering righteousness by faith. We emphasize that grace empowers obedience, not excuses failure. It’s covenantal, costly, and transformative—available to all who believe and walk in truth. I can go into more detail if you want, but I try to keep it brief. Just or Justice is often a word used in association with the Grace of God.

 

[Elijah7777]

I've always read that grace is something that God GIVES to us.

We are taught that Grace is a work God does in us so we can be just or justified before God. Jesus lived His life as an example for us to follow and we are to live right before God. As Bob Dylan says: “You’re gonna have to serve somebody. Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord, but you’re gonna have to serve somebody.”

 

[GodsGrace]

We are taught that Grace is a work God does in us so we can be just or justified before God. Jesus lived His life as an example for us to follow and we are to live right before God. As Bob Dylan says: “You’re gonna have to serve somebody. Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord, but you’re gonna have to serve somebody.”

I guess Dylan knew about
Romans 6:16 (I hear he was Christian at some point)
16 Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?

Yes sir.
We certainly must decide WHO we will serve.
Hopefully it will be God.
God's grace will certainly help us in doing so.

 

[for_his_glory]

GRACE - undeserved, unmerited favor, Gods willingness to give us His power and ability even though we do not deserve it

Jesus came to show us how to overcome the sin nature of the world by teaching us how to live a moral life compatible with the word of God. Jesus gave of himself for all of us and redeemed us from the curse of sin by taking all our sin upon him becoming the final blood sacrifice for his love towards everyone who will believe on his name. When we come to Jesus it is Gods grace that forgives our sins and remembers them no more. Sin will always be present with us because the flesh will always sin for that is its nature, but when we ask Jesus into our hearts we also receive at that same moment the gift of the Holy Spirit which teaches us how to separate ourselves from the ungodliness and lusts of this world. We may have to live in this world, but as a child of God we are not part of this world because our inner man, or heart, has now become renewed in the Spirit of God and is sinless through the grace of God.
(Titus 2:11-15)

Gods strength through his grace is what helps us to face the challenges of the works we are to continue in no matter where his calling leads us or who he puts in our path and whatever tries to come against us. I hear so many say they can not talk to others about Jesus because they do not have enough knowledge of his word and are uncomfortable sharing with others because of this. None of us have full knowledge of Gods word nor will we ever exhaust the word of God, but only can give from our heart for what we do know or have learned. Each of us has a testimony to share and is this not what Jesus did in his travels. It was Jesus testimony of a loving God filled with grace and mercy followed with signs and wonders that drew others to him. We also carry with us those same signs and wonders when we give a starving child a glass of milk or someone on the street a blanket to keep them warm at night. We in all reality are sharing Gods word through these type of works that brings help to others as we see the smiles on their faces when they receive a physical gift from God that for us we would take for granite. No more excuses now.

Our works are that of a humanitarian following in the footsteps of Jesus to know the mind of Christ is to help those who are less fortunate then ourselves by giving them back some dignity to their lives as God supplies their needs through us by the grace he has bestowed upon us through his blessings. When we are out of our comfort zones we need to use that power and authority through grace to go to places we would otherwise be to uncomfortable to travel to or to fearful of our own lives to even think of taking on certain challenges. We need to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and visit those who are in their own prisons as Jesus said we are doing this unto his glory and honor and not of ourselves.
(Philippians 4:13; Matthew 25:34-40)

Gods strength through his grace is what helps us to face the challenges of the works we are to continue in no matter where his calling leads us or who he puts in our path and whatever tries to come against us. I hear so many say they can not talk to others about Jesus because they do not have enough knowledge of his word and are uncomfortable sharing with others because of this. None of us have full knowledge of Gods word nor will we ever exhaust the word of God, but only can give from our heart for what we do know or have learned. Each of us has a testimony to share and is this not what Jesus did in his travels. It was Jesus testimony of a loving God filled with grace and mercy followed with signs and wonders that drew others to him. We also carry with us those same signs and wonders when we give a starving child a glass of milk or someone on the street a blanket to keep them warm at night. We in all reality are sharing Gods word through these type of works that brings help to others as we see the smiles on their faces when they receive a physical gift from God that for us we would take for granite. No more excuses now.

Our works are that of a humanitarian following in the footsteps of Jesus to know the mind of Christ is to help those who are less fortunate then ourselves by giving them back some dignity to their lives as God supplies their needs through us by the grace he has bestowed upon us through his blessings. When we are out of our comfort zones we need to use that power and authority through grace to go to places we would otherwise be to uncomfortable to travel to or to fearful of our own lives to even think of taking on certain challenges. We need to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and visit those who are in their own prisons as Jesus said we are doing this unto his glory and honor and not of ourselves.
(Matthew 28:18-20)

 

[Elijah7777]

I guess Dylan knew about
Romans 6:16 (I hear he was Christian at some point)

I was really impressed with Dylan back in the 60's. In the 80's I still took notice.

“I look around and I see decay / I hear the cries of children at play / I’m seeing the signs of the judgment day / But I’m saved by the blood of the lamb.” This song is a devotional cry—grace as rescue, not reward. Dylan sings of being spared from death, not by merit, but by mercy.​

Even today, like McCartney, Dylan is still going strong. His upcoming album, God’s Own Country, set to release later this year, explores topics like divine grace, existential reflection, and perseverance. The lead single, “Dream’s Come Through,” is described as soulful and hopeful—carrying Dylan’s signature lyrical depth and a weathered, resonant tone.

 

[Elijah7777]

Our works are that of a humanitarian following in the footsteps of Jesus to know the mind of Christ is to help those who are less fortunate then ourselves by giving them back some dignity to their lives as God supplies their needs through us by the grace he has bestowed upon us through his blessings.

As I was reading your post, there were four or five items I wanted to comment on if for no other reason than to show I was interested in what you are saying. But when it comes to giving I did do a short teaching on that.

 

[Elijah7777]

Gods willingness to give us His power and ability even though we do not deserve it

This goes far beyond what we do not deserve—He even gives us rewards. And the reason is clear: so that no one can boast of having earned or deserved God's unmerited favor. This is all a demonstration of His boundless love for us. Yes we have trials but God goes abundantly above and beyond all that we could ever do for ourselves.

 

[for_his_glory]

As I was reading your post, there were four or five items I wanted to comment on if for no other reason than to show I was interested in what you are saying. But when it comes to giving I did do a short teaching on that.

It's the small things given from the heart that means more than the bigger things just to give without much thought.

 

[GodsGrace]

I was really impressed with Dylan back in the 60's. In the 80's I still took notice.

“I look around and I see decay / I hear the cries of children at play / I’m seeing the signs of the judgment day / But I’m saved by the blood of the lamb.” This song is a devotional cry—grace as rescue, not reward. Dylan sings of being spared from death, not by merit, but by mercy.​

Even today, like McCartney, Dylan is still going strong. His upcoming album, God’s Own Country, set to release later this year, explores topics like divine grace, existential reflection, and perseverance. The lead single, “Dream’s Come Through,” is described as soulful and hopeful—carrying Dylan’s signature lyrical depth and a weathered, resonant tone.

I always thought of Dylan more as a poet than a songwriter.
You remind me of my brother....
He writes for a jazz magazine at times as a freelancer...
he knows all about music and used to play 2 instruments in his young days - not anymore.
You write like a writer and seem to know about music...

thanks for the post!

 

[Elijah7777]

You write like a writer and seem to know about music...

My son is the one who knows about music. He was in the marching band in high school and college. They taught him a lot and I would learn a little to keep up with him. For us back in the 60's with the top hits, music was a huge part of our lives. Actually I studied Theater. Mostly lighting. If I had stayed in that about the only opportunity would be to work concerts and that would mean being on the road for long periods of time.

 

[Elijah7777]

When we come to Jesus it is Gods grace that forgives our sins and remembers them no more.

God can forget? I thought we were born again and transformed so that we actually become righteous before God and not just "forgiven sinners".

Jesus tells Nicodemus, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
Paul echoes this in 2 Corinthians 5:17:“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

 

[Bruce Leiter]

I've never heard of this definition.
Of course God accepts us....
He accepts us BECAUSE He gave us grace to become saved.

I've always read that grace is something that God GIVES to us.

2 Corinthians 12:9a
12But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
Ephesians 2:8
8For by grace you have been saved through faith.
Romans 6:4
4For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.


etc.

God the Father is our divine Judge, GodsGrace. When he shows us his grace, he freely accepts us, that is, he gives us his not-guilty verdict and welcomes (accepts) us into his throne so that we are his advisors praying to him.

Col 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Col 3:3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

 

[GodsGrace]

God the Father is our divine Judge, GodsGrace. When he shows us his grace, he freely accepts us, that is, he gives us his not-guilty verdict and welcomes (accepts) us into his throne so that we are his advisors praying to him.

Col 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Col 3:3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Thanks for the info Bruce.
Never woulda known it !!

 

[Elijah7777]

he gives us his not-guilty verdict

Because we are not guilty, we become transformed. We are a new creation in Christ.

 

[for_his_glory]

God can forget? I thought we were born again and transformed so that we actually become righteous before God and not just "forgiven sinners".

Why would God hold on to our past sins if we are Spiritually born again and indwelled with the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

We become a new creation in Christ when we confess we are a sinner needing God's mercy and grace.

2Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2Cor 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Cor 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

 

[donadams]

Grace is often described as God’s unmerited favor—something credited to our account, a covering for our sin. But I believe that’s only part of the story. Grace isn’t just a transaction—it’s a transformation. It’s not merely what God does for us, but what He does in us.

We say we’re “born again” or “a new creation in Christ,” but what does that mean if our lives remain unchanged? Grace is the power that reshapes our hearts, renews our minds, and enables us to walk in righteousness. It’s not passive—it’s active. It’s the Spirit of God working within us to will and to do His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).

Paul said, “His grace toward me was not in vain. I worked harder than any of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10) That’s grace as fuel, not just forgiveness.

Justice and grace aren’t opposites. Justice is the plumb line of truth; grace is the strength to walk it. The cross didn’t cancel justice—it fulfilled it, so grace could flow freely, not just to us, but through us.

I’m sharing this because I believe we need to recover the full meaning of grace—not just as pardon, but as power. Has anyone else wrestled with this? How do you see grace working in your life—not just to forgive, but to transform?

Grace is the life of God in us!

Jn 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Jn 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

eph 2:1 & 2:5 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (quickend brought to life)

2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

thks

 

[donadams]

I attend Grace Cathedral. We believe that the grace of God is more than forgiveness—it’s divine strength to live free from sin. Grace came through Jesus Christ, fulfilling the Law and offering righteousness by faith. We emphasize that grace empowers obedience, not excuses failure. It’s covenantal, costly, and transformative—available to all who believe and walk in truth. I can go into more detail if you want, but I try to keep it brief. Just or Justice is often a word used in association with the Grace of God.

rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who WALK NOT AFTER THE FLESH but after the SPIRIT!

 

[Elijah7777]

rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who WALK NOT AFTER THE FLESH but after the SPIRIT!

Do you know anyone that does that?

 

[donadams]

Do you know anyone that does that?

the question should is it possible? yes most men live according to the flesh one way or another

thks

(((Children of obedience)))

rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, WHO WALK NOT AFTER THE, but after THE SPIRIT.

Gal 6:7-8

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth TO HIS FLESH SHALL OF THE FLESH REAP CORRUPTION; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap LIFE EVERLASTING.


(((Children of disobedience)))

Mt 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Ephesians 5:6
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Colossians 3:6
For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

we either deny the flesh or gratify