Ephesians 2:4-10

Prayer: As you read this word may it be a blessing to you in Jesus name Amen.

In the world we live in today, everybody wants to live a wonderful and good life based on the standard of this world. And so, because we want to live a good life, we labor so that at the end of the day we will be able to live a wonderful life.

In the kingdom of God, God has given us a wonderful life through grace. The difference between the lives we are living now and the one we will live after, in this world it is God who is doing everything, it is God who is doing the most difficult aspect of it and we are just enjoying the benefits.

Grace means: God’s free and undeserved favor, the love of God shown to the unlovely, the peace of God to the restless, the unmerited favor of God. Grace is also the power of God in our lives. Grace is free and it a gift from God to us, why? Because none of us deserved grace, can’t work for it or even qualify for it. It doesn’t mean because grace is free that’s means it cheap. Grace is so priceless that no one can pay for it. The only way for God to give us grace is by giving us free. Everything in this world put together can’t give you grace only God can give it because it is from Him.

God pour out His grace on us so that we will live a victorious life and a life that will please God. In the book of Romans 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”.

In the church people are misusing grace. Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God”. We are who we are today because of God’s grace and because of our efforts or strengths.

We are being saved by grace, James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning”. As we are under the dispensation of grace, we should know that as we enjoying the love, goodness of God and everything about His kingdom.

HOW DO WE RECEIVE GRACE

1. By accepting Christ as your Lord and Saviour, without Christ there is no grace. Most people who do not have Jesus in their lives are not under grace, but out of the grace of God. That is why we go trying to win the lost unto Christ; so that they will come under the saving grace of God and also enjoy His grace. John 1:17” For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ”. If you want to enjoy grace you need to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour.
2. By being humble, those who are humble will receive grace. We live in a world that is full of pride and that the system of the world, people feel too good, big, highly, of themselves thinking they are better than others. The possession of the world has made people fill with pride in the hearts. Grace will diminish in your life because of pride. When we are humble before God we continue to grow in grace. When you are full of pride, arrogance in your life, grace will not abound in you. The bible says, God resists the proud and give grace to the humble. James 4:6 “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble”. Prov 3:34 1 Pet 5:5. Ask God to deliver you from pride because if God go against you, you will end in destruction.
3. 3. We cannot receive grace by works; it is a gift from God we can’t work to earn it. Whatever we enjoy from God comes as a result of grace it not by works. Romans 11:6 “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work”.

WHAT DO WE EXPERIENCE UNDER THIS WONDERFUL LIFE OF GRACE

• We are justified, freed and no longer guilty. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (read), we have been made righteous through the life of grace. Titus 3:5-7/ Romans 5:17. Romans 6:1, if you are now under grace, you will not continue in sin.
• We receive the riches of the kingdom (goodness of God). Romans 12:6
• We bear under suffering.2Corinthians 12:8-9. You are able to go through every challenge that comes your way because of grace.
• We are able to receive help in our time of need.
• With grace in our lives we can grow in every area of our lives.2Peter 3:18

God does not want us to receive grace in vain. (2 Corinthians 6:1). you can fall away from grace if you are not careful, Galatians 5:4, Hebrews 6:4