Grace is Great!

Definition from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/grace

a.

the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.

b.

the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.

c.

a virtue or excellence of divine origin: the Christian graces.

d.

Also called state of grace. the condition of being inGod's favor or one of the elect.

Romans 5:1-2b "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand."

Romans 11:6 "And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace."

Grace is a gift...it can't be earned, just received by faith. This Grace is received through faith in Jesus Christ who allows us peace with God.

Titus 2:11-12 "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,"

So not only does this Grace provide us with Salvation(peace with God) it also is a teacher. It teaches us to put off the old and put on the new, even when surrounded by the evils of this present age. So it is by faith that we say no to the worldly passions and live self controlled upright lives.

1 Corinthians 15:10 "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them-yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me."

This grace is evident in Paul's life...through his work ethic and the way that he spread the Gospel...he says that it wasn't him doing it but this grace that was with Him. Paul seems to be boasting a little here at this work, and he can, because it was done by Grace!

1 Peter 4:10-11 "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the Glory and the power for eve and ever. Amen."

By using our gifts and talents to serve others we become distributors of God's Grace...and apparently God's grace has various forms. It seems that what we possess as talents are also part of God's grace, whether it be speaking or serving.

Now then, verse 1 Peter 4:11 seems to tie back in well with Romans 5:1-2. Because it is by Christ that we have received the grace through faith, and so without Jesus we would not have received Grace to distribute. If then we have gifts, it is by Christ and his power, and if we use them to serve others then this is to Christ's Glory!