DEFINING GRACEA student was late for a term paper & asked the teacher for an extension of time to complete it. The teacher granted the extension under the terms of grace -- popularly defined as unmerited or undeserved favor! It wasn't until years later, when the student looked up the definition of grace in Strong's concordance that he realized that grace includes a deeper meaning than that. Here is Strong's meaning of the Greek word charis, translated in the KJV 156 times as grace: G5485 χάρι; charis; khar'-eceFrom G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude): - acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy). (emphasis supplied)To refer to grace only as unmerited favor & to leave out "the divine influence on the heart," is to neglect a truth essential to spiritual growth! When we battle with the earthly nature, or at times we don't feel spiritual, we can asked for the Holy Spirit's influence on the heart & claim the promise of Jesus in Rev. 3:20 to abide with us. Obedience to God's Word, also brings the promise of the Father's presence! Jesus said,"... If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." (John 14:23) When we ask, God will give us a new heart & put a right spirit within us! (Eze._36:26) God remembers we are dust & He promises us His presence & power to overcome sin! When we live in His presence He covers us with Christ's righteousness! The apostle John tells us that if we abide in Christ, we won't continue in sin! 1 John 3:6) Our willingness to ask for & receive God's grace, His "divine influence on the heart" is the pathway to restoration to His image, the image in which Adam & Eve were created! Praise God for His grace!
Quote DEFINING GRACEA student was late for a term paper & asked the teacher for an extension of time to complete it. The teacher granted the extension under the terms of grace -- popularly defined as unmerited or undeserved favor! It wasn't until years later, when the student looked up the definition of grace in Strong's concordance that he realized that grace includes a deeper meaning than that. Here is Strong's meaning of the Greek word charis, translated in the KJV 156 times as grace: G5485 χάρι; charis; khar'-eceFrom G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude): - acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy). (emphasis supplied)To refer to grace only as unmerited favor & to leave out "the divine influence on the heart," is to neglect a truth essential to spiritual growth! When we battle with the earthly nature, or at times we don't feel spiritual, we can asked for the Holy Spirit's influence on the heart & claim the promise of Jesus in Rev. 3:20 to abide with us. Obedience to God's Word, also brings the promise of the Father's presence! Jesus said,"... If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." (John 14:23) When we ask, God will give us a new heart & put a right spirit within us! (Eze._36:26) God remembers we are dust & He promises us His presence & power to overcome sin! When we live in His presence He covers us with Christ's righteousness! The apostle John tells us that if we abide in Christ, we won't continue in sin! 1 John 3:6) Our willingness to ask for & receive God's grace, His "divine influence on the heart" is the pathway to restoration to His image, the image in which Adam & Eve were created! Praise God for His grace! RT mind if I copy that and read it in Sabbath School next time I teach ?
RT mind if I copy that and read it in Sabbath School next time I teach ?
