THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE

The Exceeding Riches of His Grace"
Ephesians 2:7

^"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:4-8

Here are a few phrases from Scripture concerning the beautiful grace wrought by Jesus Christ for all who will come and take of the water of life freely:

·   "the glory of his grace" (Eph. 1:6)

·   "the exceeding riches of his grace" (Eph. 2:7)

·   "the inheritance of the saints in light" (Col. 1:12)

Do you realize what you have?

Oh My! What unfathomable riches have we been given in this "so GREAT salvation"? (Heb. 2:3) Do we even begin to realize that in Christ ALL of our sins and iniquities are forgiven as we come before His holy throne of grace!?

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:" Colossians 1:12-14

In God's Word and eternal kingdom economy, the forgiveness of sins is always accompanied and surrounded by divine initiating grace and the personal responsibility of each person to appropriate the salvation provided for us in Jesus Christ.

Of God's grace, the Bible says that it is:

·   Brings salvation (Tit. 2:11)

·   Abundant (Acts 4:33)

·   Rich (Eph. 1:7)

·   Glorious (Eph. 1:6)

·   Manifold (1 Pet. 4:10)

·   Sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9)

·   To be multiplied in believers (Jn. 1:16; 2 Pet. 1:2; 3:18)

·   Is a teacher and enabler (Eph. 3:7; 4:7; Tit. 2:11-12; 1 Pet. 4:10-11)

GOD'S PART

·   The redemption that is in Christ's shed divine, sinless blood (Matt. 26:28; Col. 1:14; 1 Jn. 2:1-2)

·   The riches of His precious grace (Rom. 3:24-25; Eph. 1:7; 2:7; Tit. 3:4-7) – G.R.A.C.E. = God's Riches At Christ's Expense

·   The "good pleasure" of God and "his goodness" (Ps. 86:5, 15; Lk. 12:32; Eph. 1:5-14; 2 Thess. 1:11)

·   The throne of His grace (Heb. 4:14-16)

MAN'S PART

·   "Repentance toward God, and faith toward our LORD Jesus Christ" (Acts 3:19; 20:21)

·   The fear of God (Ps. 2:11; 103:11; Prov. 14:26-27; Matt. 10:28; Lk. 12:5-6)

·   Transparency – the act of openly admitting sin out of a pure and broken heart and the outright refusal to deny that which we have done which violates a holy God (Ps. 32:5; 38:18; 69:5; 51; Prov. 28:13; 1 Jn. 1:9)

·   Specific confession of our sins (Ps. 32:1-5; 1 Jn. 1:9)

·   Fellowship/relationship with the LORD (1 Jn.1:3-2:2)

"Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (atoning sacrifice) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God." Romans 3:24-25

Have we not all had the "everyone else is doing it" thought and believed that somehow the holy LORD and Judge was going to somehow overlook our sins when all is said and done? Well, be sure He will not pardon those who do not fall upon His mercy before it is too late (Exod. 34:7; Isa. 55:6-7; Ezek. 33:12-13; Lk. 13:3,5; Acts 2:37-40; 2 Cor. 5:11; Rev. 21:8, 27). Yet, all sins are washed away completely in the very instant the believer confesses and forsakes them (Ps. 103:2-3; Prov. 28:13; 1 Jn. 1:9; 2:1-2).

What we must realize is that all things work according to His divine wisdom and on His terms and not our terms. Neglecting or refusing to know, understand and embrace His Word (terms of the covenant) will result in shunning the grace and salvation of Christ and the loss of one's soul (Heb. 2:1-3). Altering or ignoring His clear terms, revealed in His Holy Word, is the beginning of the creation of a false god in our hearts. Separation, despair, delusion and damnation will always be the result of disobeying the One who is worthy of all our praise (Deut. 28).

"And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified." Acts 20:32

We see in this blessed passage that the disciple of Jesus Christ is introduced to and matured in the divine "inheritance" of His salvation by "the word of his grace."

The terms and conditions of the covenant inheritance purchased by the very blood of our Savior are contained in the canon of Holy Scripture – the Holy Bible. Saint of Christ, have you embarked upon the rewarding task of mining the golden truths of the Scriptures? If not, how can you know His nature and covenant blessings and terms? How shall we appropriate the myriad of rich benefits He has in store if we know not His precepts? LORD Jesus, please bless us with an ever-deepening hunger and thirst to know You more and to unearth the treasure chest of golden nuggets You have given us in Your Word! Amen.

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By Todd Tomasella Email: todd@safeguardyoursoul.com Click here for bio and archived articles