GREATER GRACE

Saturday 1 February

For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.. Romans 5:17 (KJV)

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18 (KJV)

We hear so much about the term ‘grace’ that I think it would be a good idea to define what it actually means in the light of Christ.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says ‘For by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God not of works so that no man can boast’.

Did you see it? Grace is at its very core, salvation in Christ. If you don’t have this understanding, you will be looking at grace as a license to get away with things rather than an eternal assurance of what you have moved into in Christ.

In Romans 5:17 the phrase ‘much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness’ means the abundance of grace IS the gift of righteousness. What do these two things have in common? One word. Salvation.

Acceptability, benefit, favour, gift, joy, liberality, pleasure, goodwill, charm delight etc. are all facets of what was given through salvation in Christ.

‘The merciful kindness by which

God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ…’

‘The divine influence on the heart’

All these various synonyms that are the result of grace, find their full expression within the context of salvation. Remember everything you will ever desire or require is wrapped up in the package of salvation.

So how do we grow in grace? Back to Romans 5:17 it says ‘they which RECEIVE abundance of grace. Notice it doesn’t specify how much. This tells us that above and beyond the overflowing of grace which is favour in salvation, there is more grace to receive. The Greek word is ‘katalambano’ which denotes an intentional seizing of more grace as there is no limit placed on how much grace you can take.

In the New Testament we receive more grace through knowledge

This is why we are to ‘grow in grace which in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.’ The Greek word is ’gnosis’ which is gained through observation. This is achieved primarily by seeing Jesus character in the gospels.

Grace is also multiplied to us through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (2 Peter 1:2).

Not just any kind of knowledge. ‘Epignosis’ which is full and accurate knowledge that you are able to relate with. It is when the knowledge and the knower become one with what is known.

We can see from these verses that we need to grow in the full knowledge of grace to be able to relate with it and put it to work. When it comes to ‘the gift of righteousness’ it is the same salvation given for everyone. This is why we don’t receive more righteousness. That just makes no sense once you know that the gift of righteousness is part of salvation. Instead, we grow in the knowledge of righteousness so we will not be ‘unskilled in the word of righteousness’.

Our growth in grace is determined by our ability to both observe and relate with the knowledge of Christ particularly in the epistles. What Jesus really wanted to say but could not say in the gospels, He said through the Apostles by His Spirit in their letters to the churches.

Have you received the abundance of grace that is salvation? If you have, what about receiving more grace as it has been liberally supplied to you through salvation in Christ.

More grace for your health, finances, wellbeing, relationships etc. is there for you to grab hold of and make it yours through the knowledge of Christ. What are you waiting for? It’s time for greater grace!

APPLICATION

Make up your mind that you are going to katalambano more grace and also obtain mercy and grace for others in their time of need.