James 4:6 NKJV But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
We are dependent on the grace that God gives.
This is God’s favor for living. We rely on every blessing that comes from heaven. Deuteronomy 26:15 says, “Look down from Your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless Your people.”
Ephesians 2 shows how desperate we are for God’s grace.
Ephesians 2:1-2 NLT Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.
While we were sinners and were just like the rest of the world. We needed God’s grace because we were dead in trespasses and sins. There is no remedy in politics, sociology or economics that could resolve our condition. We followed the course of this world.
The Bible tells us, “There is a way that seems right to men, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 16:25)
We know what the course of this world is like. The world follows a course that leads to destruction. It is full of lying, cheating and stealing. It is a way of killing and loss. Satan is driving the world to judgment, death and destruction. We were helplessly lost until God showed us grace.
Ephesians 2:4-5 NLT But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)
Grace is God interrupting the course of our lives with His mercy.
You need to know that GOD’S RICH MERCY is for YOU. The mercy of God is greater than all our sin. His mercy and grace are from everlasting to everlasting. His mercy and grace are sufficient for you.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 NKJVWe then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
The word for vain indicates without effect or any result.
This is saying: God gives grace and there is no corresponding result. When God gives grace and mercy He expects results. Grace should bring a demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power. The rich grace of God should produce fruit or evidence in our lives. Grace and mercy should produce a testimony of the power of God.
When God gives grace, the soil of our soul should spring forth with newness of life.
Watch God’s grace and mercy in the Apostle Paul’s life. It may surprise you how God’s grace and mercy were demonstrated.
2 Corinthians 6:3-5 NKJV We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend (exhibit, present) ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings;
2 Corinthians 6:6-8 NKJV by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;
2 Corinthians 6:9-10 NKJV as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed;as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
The impact of God’s grace and mercy are demonstrated in every aspect, situation, and condition of our lives.
This is not just grace to save, it is grace in everything we face. God gives grace and mercy when everything is doing great and when we are tested. God gives help were we live. Hebrews tells us we have a High Priest in heaven who can sympathize with our weaknesses.
Hebrews 4:16 NKJV Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
2 Corinthians 6:1 We …plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
The original word for vain indicates that God has given us all sufficient grace, fullness of the Spirit, and power.
God has given us grace for every experience in life. That grace is loaded down with everything that you need as a child of God in every situation in life.
- He has given us adequate spiritual gifts for equipping believers.
- He has provided adequate armor to protect against every scheme and plot of the devil.
- He has equipped us so that we will be able to endure in this evil time.
- He has already made a full deposit of grace and mercy so that we are enable to be more than conquerors with Christ.
- There is enough grace and mercy for the trials and tribulations that will come.
Consider this.
This grace that God gives is sufficient for every situation.
- He gives grace and captives are released.
- He gives grace and bondage and chains are broken.
- He gives grace and strength and might is given.
- He gives grace and we are saved.
- He gives grace and we are healed.
- He gives grace for every situation.
That is why we are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace to find mercy and help.
In 2 Corinthians 6:11-13, Paul said some were restricted, reduced, or cramped.
They needed to be released from the things that were holding them back. They were yoked with people and situations that hindered the full impact of what God was wanting to do in them. They had received grace to save them, but they were not free from the things that held them.
He wanted believers to be enlarged spiritually so that they would not serve God in vain. What does it mean to be “enlarged spiritually?”
We need a fresh vision of what God wants to accomplish with His mercy and grace. God’s favor should have dramatic results in our lives. God’s power that saved you is adequate to give you peace, joy and contentment. His mercy and grace is sufficient for your trial and test. With every spiritual and physical encounter, His grace is enough. The power of Christ in us and the work of the Holy Spirit makes us adequate for the situation.
Have you ever been faced with a situation that you felt you just could not handle?
God wants to equip us in such a way that He is glorified in His church. This is why He gives grace and mercy in our times of need. He wants to lift you up and build you up. He will equip you with the Holy Spirit’s power, might and gifts. He has sent and is sending the Spirit of God to actively work in us.
God wants to equip you for life.
We need the power of the Holy Spirit in every situation.
I heard about a doctor who came upon an accident while driving down the freeway. Because he was a doctor, the police allowed him to offer assistance. When he got to the car, the young man had been pronounced dead. The emergency team was just pulling the sheet up over the young man’s head. He asked if he could see him. He walked up and felt and there was no pulse. Then he quietly began praying that God would restore life to that body. He quietly prayed for about 10 minutes. Then all of a sudden the young man took a deep breath and sat up. Today, he is doing great.
In every situation and in every condition, we need to be enlarged.
God wants to demonstrate His great power through your life in every situation that you face.
Paul said he found that place of spiritual enlargement and maturity.
Some of the church felt hindered, cramped, and distressed. Things that happened to them had caused the ministry to stop. They were powerless in the hour of trial and adversity.
Paul told them their situations had not stopped them.
They were hindered and distressed in their own heart. They were not hindered because God had not given enough grace and mercy. God’s favor on their lives was abundant. In fact, God keeps giving more and more grace.
The reason Jesus asked the Father to send the Holy Spirit to believers was to equip and empower His church.
He wanted a strong witness of the power of Jesus Christ in believer’s lives. They received grace, but needed power. The problem was nottheir situation or experience.
They were living on grace, but they needed power.
They needed the life of the Holy Spirit. Their experience needed enlarging in the Holy Spirit.
When the New Testament Church began facing severe persecution, they knew that they could not do it on their own.
They faced persecution on every side and were scattered throughout the world. Their situations and tribulations were so great they were feeling weak and frail. Everywhere they went, they were attacked. Whatever they did, they faced opposition.
You may have felt that way.
You face one test and trial after another.
They quickly found that they needed the strength, power, and boldness of the Holy Spirit.
In Acts 4:29-31, they went to prayer.
Listen to their confessions.
- We cannot do this in our own strength.
- We are not bold enough to face the battle.
- We are weak and puny.
- Oh, God, give us boldness in the Holy Spirit.
- God give us supernatural equipment.
- Stretch out your hand and minister.
- Oh, God, You heal and give signs and wonders through the name of Jesus.
Now look at what God did in response to their dependence on His grace.
Acts 4:31 NKJVAnd when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.
Look at that last verse.
With great strength, ability and power they gave testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was upon them.
What does that mean?
There was evidence of God’s favor on their lives. God’s grace rested richly on them all.
How does that look in their lives?
They still faced tribulations, needs, distresses, stripes, tumults, imprisonments, and sleeplessness. Satan still fought them.
The difference was in the overflow of grace and favor. They had joy and peace. They had confidence in Christ. They had a continual testimony of Christ working in them. The Holy Spirit was blessing them and giving boldness.
Great grace was upon them all.
God’s favor and grace gave them courage and boldness to stand in every situation in life.
- When God interrupts the course of our lives with His grace, things change.
- When He gives grace, He wants you to be strengthened.
- He wants you to be freed.
- He wants to release you from bondage and condemnation.
- He wants to break that burden and oppression.
- He wants to fill you with His joy and peace.
- He wants you to cast off those chains that have held you.
His grace, mercy and power is sufficient for you.
