Grace, 3of10

~ The Target of God’s Grace ~ 

Key Scriptures  ~  “And I [the Apostle Paul] thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.  And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.  This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.  However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.  Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise,

be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen” (1 Timothy 1:12-17). 

“For I [the Apostle Paul] am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.  Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed” (1 Corinthians 15:9-11). 

Comment  ~   The target of God’s grace is sinners.  Someone who does not recognize they are a sinner cannot receive the free and abundant grace which God offers.  Salvation cannot come to an individual who does not acknowledge and repent of their sin.  “As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one … All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:10, 23).  “But what does it say?  ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:8-9).  Once God’s free gift of salvation through the blood of His only begotten Son is accepted then God begins the transformation of the new believer. 

Contemplate This  ~  “We are [being] transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as [the grace of] God enters our lives and we become like Him” (2 Corinthians 3:18b, The Message). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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