Romans 3:23-26-31. Justification—you can’t do it; law can’t do it—God can do it.
Grace—what it is – Thank God for G-r-a-c-e. God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense without retribution or restitution.
Grace gives us mercy—a gift instead of…JUSTICE—what we deserve! We need GRACE!
Grace—What it is not – Not license or legalism; not works of credit and merit; not to earn one’s salvation; not for someone to think they are better than someone else. Saul of Tarsus was the Chief of Sinners, I Tim. 1:15. Anybody worse than Saul? And, NOT once saved always saved!
GOD’S RICHES AT CHRIST’S EXPENSE!!!
We find grace in both Old and New Testament. Be careful how you judge. As you judge, you will be judged, Mat. 7:1-2.
1. Grace was extended under the law, Deu. 24:1-4. See Noah, Gen. 6:8; Moses and Israel, Ex. 33:12-17; God gives grace, Ps. 84:9-12, 11; the coming Messiah—Grace is prophesied, Zech. 4:7; 12:10. Christ and the Cross!
2. Grace is now extended under the blood of Christ, John 1:17; I John 1:7-8. We are commanded to GROW IN GRACE and KNOWLEDGE of the Lord! II Pet. 3:18.
3. Justification. God justified all of us by His grace and blood—“just-as-if-I’d (we’d) never sinned,” Rom. 3:23-26-31; 4:25; 5:14-18-21; 15:1-7; Isa. 53:5-11, 12; Isa. 55:7.
Case where Grace was lost—Prodigal Son vs. Elder brother (disgrace!). Are we the prodigal or the elder brother? Or both? Lk. 15:11-32.
Grace is blotting out, eradicating sin. It’s gone! See Acts 3:19. Repent! – Remove-wipe away, obliterate Mt. 5:7. Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy; Lk. 6:35-36-37; God be merciful to me a sinner Lk. 18:13, 9-14.
Legalism defined – by trying to earn our way to God, to deserve salvation by what we do, No! Luke 18:13, 9-14 We cannot save ourselves – only the Lord and His mercy can, by grace through faith, Ephesians 2:8-10.
Be careful how you judge! As you judge, you will be judged, Mat. 7:1-2.
EACH PERSON MUST TAKE THESE SCRIPTURES AND APPLY THEM TO THEIR OWN LIFE AND SITUATION! II Cor. 13:5; Mat. 7:1-2; John 7:24.
-Ivy Conner