We use the term grace a lot, but what does it really mean?
Sometimes we use the word as a synonym to mercy. My payment was late but it was within the grace period.
Sometimes we use it as a blessing or prayer, as in to say grace before a meal.
Sometimes we might refer to a motion or movement. She moved with grace.
The dictionary defines it as: unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification.
That’s a mouthful!
Think of it this way. A being of power, let’s say a king or ruler, steps down from their position of power and authority for no personal gain or no political agenda. They lower themselves from the rights and honors they deserve for the sole purpose of lifting up someone else.
This is what Jesus did. His existence did not start when He was born in the manger or when He was conceived in Mary’s womb. He existed as God, part of the Trinity, from before Creation. Eternal. He existed as ruler and King of Kings, Lord of Lords, God, Creator, the Divine. Yet, he lowered himself even lower than the angels to become a helpless infant in this world. Capable of every pain and suffering known to man. And He did it for no other purpose than to lift up, regenerate (provide new life) and sanctify (make holy) the people He so loved.
We have one simple way to acknowledge this grace. We are called to witness. We aren’t called to sell the gospel. We aren’t called to market it. We aren’t called to force others to believe. We are called to witness.
Witnesses in court are required to do 3 things:
- Tell the truth
- Tell the whole truth
- Tell nothing but the truth
Is your life bearing that witness of Christ? Not just your words, but your actions, your thoughts, the things you say, the things you leave unsaid? Is every part of your day filled with sharing the truth of Jesus, of being a witness? What do you need to change? What parts of your life reinforce lies that the world wants to believe instead of the truth?
Tomorrow is a new day. You can choose, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to walk a new path, to form new habits and to adhere to them. You can choose to tell the truth.
My Answers:
12.
a.
The prior grace was one of the law and of hope. The new grace is the physical manifestation of the Messiah
b.
Each day. That Jesus, the creator of every particle of matter in the universe and all the systems of life, would love me, listen to my praise and needs and heartache and longings and that He not only would be willing to forgive me of my sin and die 4 me
13.
The law is a standard by which to measure our adherence to holiness, not comparing to others, but to the command of God
Jesus came to fulfill the law, we fail and sin every day, but He came to free us from the bondage
He gave the truth of a personal close relationship, just as the trinity is in unity, that His people may also be joined with Him
14.
They are one God, three persons. There is no closer relationship than the one between Father, Son and Spirit
The Notes are Good 