Faithful on Fridays Blog

Lavished with Grace

My grandchildren love to watch the cartoon Word Girl. It’s all about a female crime-fighter who uses her super-powered vocabulary to defeat the bad guys. Great idea. As a Word Girl myself I want to empower you to understand God’s Word and overcome the lies of the devil. Today the word from Eph. 1:7 is grace: charis.

This word defines us as Christians. It’s powerful enough in itself to mean God’s undeserved favor shown to believers but the way it’s used in scripture adds even more revelation. Just look at the way Paul uses it, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished upon us… wow. That word ‘riches’ tells us that the redemption we talked about last week is given to us in super-abundance. It’s opulent (great word!) and magnificent. It’s luxuriant and extensive; it’s poured out or lavished upon us like a gentle rain shower. We partake of this free and liberal gift and it’s extravagant: more than enough.

Paul has broken out into song in these verses as he explains God’s adoring love to us. I can understand why. I want to walk you through some of the verses that help define grace and it’s benefit to us; see if there’s a song in your heart when we’re done.

*We can only believe (Eph. 2:5) and stand in faith through His act of grace. (Acts 18:27; Rom. 5:2-3; Gal. 1:15)

*We reign in life, as royalty, through grace; that’s kingdom living and people recognize it. (Rom. 5:17, 21; Gal. 2:9; 1 Peter 3:7) There’s even a throne room of grace where we find our needs met by the King. (Heb. 4:16)

*We were chosen (Jew or Gentile) by this undeserved grace; we can’t earn it. We can’t get Him to love us any more than He already does. (Rom. 11:5-6; 2 Tim. 1:9)

*Our spiritual gifts are controlled and empowered by grace. (Rom. 12:3, 6; 1 Cor. 3:10; Eph. 4:7)

*Giving is an act of grace. It’s evidence from your life that you understand the goodness of God and your spiritual blessings. (2 Cor. 8:6-9, 9:6-8)

*The God of all grace gives us comfort, hope, and strength to stand in faith. (2 Thes. 2:16; 2 Tim. 2:1; Heb. 13:9; 1 Peter 5:10, 12)

*He extends more grace or favor in our humility (Jms. 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5) but opposes us in our pride.

*If your desire is to be rich then be rich in grace toward others. Forgive with the same richness that He forgave you.

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NLT)