Christian Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Bible Study What is Grace?

What all of the philosophers were searching for.. more knowledge.. worldly knowledge.. My earlier question about knowing the truth do you want to know the truth.. Put it this way do you want the knowledge Jesus gives or worldly knowledge?

tob

I want the truth, Turn. For I do believe all else will burn. Did you know that the ancient Greek for the word philosopher means a lover of truth?

For Socrates, I believe these words rang true, don't you? He was the first Greek to teach that there is only one God who Himself is the source of all wisdom. Any true wisdom a man has must come from this God, he taught. In a way, I suppose, Socrates was like John the baptist. For he was the voice of one in the wilderness, but he cried out not to the Jews but to the Gentiles.

:)
 
Last edited:
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 for the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Titus 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.


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 I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.


Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Matthew 25:35 For I was hungry, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Matthew 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Matthew 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

Matthew 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Matthew 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me


The basics of what we are to do as a child of God is to know that the calling from God is to take his word out into the world and to take His word out with love and compassion in our hearts and the works of the Lord are helping those who need our help. Grace is what saves us and the works we do are done unto the glory of the kingdom of God.


Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Thank you for that post, For His. Jesus' words from Matthew 25 are the only ones I remember from my Catholic education as a child. I left the Catholic Church long ago.

I think you are correct that it is God's grace that enables us to love like Christ. I think it is also true that it is God's grace that redeems us and forgives us of our mortal sins. What I don't know is whether both gifts of grace--the power to change and the redemption from sin--are required to get into heaven. For years I believed it is the latter but not the former that is our ticket to heaven. Now I'm not so sure.
 
TurnOrBurn:

I am interested in seriously considering what you have to say about God's wisdom compared to worldly wisdom. If you are interested in discussing the two wisdoms with me, please start a discussion on the topic and let me know when you are ready. Blessings to you.

:)
 
Thank you for that post, For His. Jesus' words from Matthew 25 are the only ones I remember from my Catholic education as a child. I left the Catholic Church long ago.

I think you are correct that it is God's grace that enables us to love like Christ. I think it is also true that it is God's grace that redeems us and forgives us of our mortal sins. What I don't know is whether both gifts of grace--the power to change and the redemption from sin--are required to get into heaven. For years I believed it is the latter but not the former that is our ticket to heaven. Now I'm not so sure.

Our ticket to Heaven as you put it is found in John 3:3-8; Romans 10:9,10 and Colossians 3:1-17. Grace pardons us and mercy loves us unconditionally. Accepting Gods grace is what gives us not only the power, but also Gods authority in us to change from the old man of sin to that of Gods righteousness found in us as we surrender all to Him and allow Christ to work in us. Sin will always be with us as we still live in this flesh and sometimes emotions causes us to sin. When we recognize we are sinning Gods grace will forgive us, but does not give us a license to continue in sin. Grace, power to change and redemption from sin are Gods requirements for us to live a life that is pleasing to Him and continue in the works of the Lord until the day Jesus returns. Read Romans 7:5-25 as this might help to answer some of your questions.
 
:oops2 :oops :wall I'm so sorry! I'm a little older than you so does that count? Some of my friends say, "I'm 3 days older than dirt." Well I did come from dirt, that makes me a dirt bag!

:lol2 OK, you can play the old age card, but I would correct the dirt bag by saying we are all bags of dirt!!! :eek
 
Our ticket to Heaven as you put it is found in John 3:3-8; Romans 10:9,10 and Colossians 3:1-17. Grace pardons us and mercy loves us unconditionally. Accepting Gods grace is what gives us not only the power, but also Gods authority in us to change from the old man of sin to that of Gods righteousness found in us as we surrender all to Him and allow Christ to work in us. Sin will always be with us as we still live in this flesh and sometimes emotions causes us to sin. When we recognize we are sinning Gods grace will forgive us, but does not give us a license to continue in sin. Grace, power to change and redemption from sin are Gods requirements for us to live a life that is pleasing to Him and continue in the works of the Lord until the day Jesus returns. Read Romans 7:5-25 as this might help to answer some of your questions.

Thank you for those biblical references. I hope you will help me understand how they apply.

You see, what I think you are saying is this:

1. God's grace pardons my sin

2. God's grace also changes me within, giving me the power to behave more like Christ

3. I am saved by God's grace alone

My question: Does this mean I am saved by (1) and (2), or saved only by (1)?
 
Thank you for those biblical references. I hope you will help me understand how they apply.

You see, what I think you are saying is this:

1. God's grace pardons my sin

2. God's grace also changes me within, giving me the power to behave more like Christ

3. I am saved by God's grace alone

My question: Does this mean I am saved by (1) and (2), or saved only by (1)?

You are saved by all three as grace involves all three points. Grace allows us to become Spiritually born again as a inner Spiritual renewal by Gods Holy Spirit. Grace also involves our faith which is Christ Jesus that we make confession with out mouth that He is who He said he was and believe on His name. The rest is to know and have the mind of Christ that we try and live a life that is pleasing to him.

I teach a class on all of this on my website you can click on at the end of my reply. When you go there click on Salvation and I pray this will help you with all your questions as you study the scriptures I give.
 
You are saved by all three as grace involves all three points. Grace allows us to become Spiritually born again as a inner Spiritual renewal by Gods Holy Spirit. Grace also involves our faith which is Christ Jesus that we make confession with out mouth that He is who He said he was and believe on His name. The rest is to know and have the mind of Christ that we try and live a life that is pleasing to him.

I teach a class on all of this on my website you can click on at the end of my reply. When you go there click on Salvation and I pray this will help you with all your questions as you study the scriptures I give.

I see. So then, are you saying "the power to behave more like Christ" is one cause of salvation?
 
I see. So then, are you saying "the power to behave more like Christ" is one cause of salvation?

No, as the cause or purpose of Salvation in Christ is to reconcile us back to God by His grace as He forgives our sin and washes us clean again by the atoning blood of the Lamb (Jesus). Our own righteousness like that of the Pharisees is nothing more than a filthy rag to God. This is why we need to have that Spiritual rebirth of Gods Holy Spirit dwelling in us so we can be Christ like in all our ways as the Holy Spirit (Gods Spirit) teaches us how to do this. John 14:26

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
 
No, as the cause or purpose of Salvation in Christ is to reconcile us back to God by His grace as He forgives our sin and washes us clean again by the atoning blood of the Lamb (Jesus). Our own righteousness like that of the Pharisees is nothing more than a filthy rag to God. This is why we need to have that Spiritual rebirth of Gods Holy Spirit dwelling in us so we can be Christ like in all our ways as the Holy Spirit (Gods Spirit) teaches us how to do this. John 14:26

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

trash.jpg


Yes, anything we do in our own power is considered garbage in God's sight. But what about the good we do in Christ's power and for his glory?

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

(Ephesians 2:10)

Are the good things we are created in Christ Jesus to do filthy rags, too?
 
Last edited:
I'm just wondering what grace means in this passage:

8 For it is by grace you have been saved,through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

(Ephesians 2)
I think grace here is God's Will.
 
Back
Top