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Grace is God's unmerited favor.
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5485 cariv charis khar’-ece
AV-grace 130, favour
1) that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness,
charm, loveliness: grace of speech
2) good will, loving-kindness, favour
2a) of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
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Jesus cares about us like a Mother Hen and looks after His Children.
Mt 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered thy children together,
even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
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---- One time a group of us Christians were down in Chicago and went
to a Macdonalds and had burgers. We were sitting there eating when
I observed this young black man with a board in his hand and he was
about to hit one of the members in the back of the head . All of a sudden
he looked around as if he did not know where he was and he Left Macdonalds.
Grace is God's unmerited favor.
-----------------------------------
5485 cariv charis khar’-ece
AV-grace 130, favour
1) that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness,
charm, loveliness: grace of speech
2) good will, loving-kindness, favour
2a) of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
============================
Jesus cares about us like a Mother Hen and looks after His Children.
Mt 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered thy children together,
even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
------------------------------------------------------------------
---- One time a group of us Christians were down in Chicago and went
to a Macdonalds and had burgers. We were sitting there eating when
I observed this young black man with a board in his hand and he was
about to hit one of the members in the back of the head . All of a sudden
he looked around as if he did not know where he was and he Left Macdonalds.
I tell my story about God's grace on my Blog. I agree with you 100%. God's grace is unmerited favor upon our lives.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Ephesians 2:9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. [NASB]
If you read my Blog, you would know how I'm going to answer. I am only here able to write these few words because God showered me in grace (unmerited favor) while I was in a sinful condition. A sinful condition that continued for a number of years after, until another outpouring of grace from an unexpected source brought me to Him. I had to be humbled and feel God's presence. (I may not have written about that yet.) That's why I am here today. I am His to do with as He chooses.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Ephesians 2:9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. [NASB]
If you read my Blog, you would know how I'm going to answer. I am only here able to write these few words because God showered me in grace (unmerited favor) while I was in a sinful condition. A sinful condition that continued for a number of years after, until another outpouring of grace from an unexpected source brought me to Him. I had to be humbled and feel God's presence. (I may not have written about that yet.) That's why I am here today. I am His to do with as He chooses.
I understand. What I don't understand is why you seem to believe grace is something not of the substance of the life of God; something separate from Himself? Did you receive anything when referring to receiving His "unmerited favor"? What does that mean; what is it if not His life? Please blog it for me.
I understand. What I don't understand is why you seem to believe grace is something not of the substance of the life of God; something separate from Himself? Did you receive anything when referring to receiving His "unmerited favor"? What does that mean; what is it if not His life? Please blog it for me.
I'm not trying to be difficult here, I assure you. I don't understand your first question. Maybe you can put it in simpler terms for me. Your second question, I think I can answer. When I was drowning and I accepted my own death, a peace came over me beyond understanding. I believe looking back on it now being a Christian, this was God's grace. So yes, I did receive something tangible, a feeling of peace. And also since I was not actively trying to save my own life, God may have sent one of His angels to move my arms and legs to crawl out of that river, I don't know. All I know for sure, I didn't do anything to save my life after I gave up. I could not have been a part of God's life, because I was a sinner before and after this incident, and God would not defile Himself.
I hope I answered your question. I believe we have a difference in theology here. I mean no offense.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Ephesians 2:9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. [NASB]
Crown Him, ye martyrs of your God, who from His altar call;
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all!
Let every tribe and every tongue before Him prostrate fall;
The God incarnate, Man divine, and crown Him Lord of all!
"Apart from me you can do nothing."~Jesus
Phil. 3:8 (ESV)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cross Reference View Post
I understand. What I don't understand is why you seem to believe grace is something not of the substance of the life of God; something separate from Himself? Did you receive anything when referring to receiving His "unmerited favor"? What does that mean; what is it if not His life? Please blog it for me.
I'm not trying to be difficult here, I assure you. I don't understand your first question. Maybe you can put it in simpler terms for me. Your second question, I think I can answer. When I was drowning and I accepted my own death, a peace came over me beyond understanding. I believe looking back on it now being a Christian, this was God's grace. So yes, I did receive something tangible, a feeling of peace. And also since I was not actively trying to save my own life, God may have sent one of His angels to move my arms and legs to crawl out of that river, I don't know. All I know for sure, I didn't do anything to save my life after I gave up. I could not have been a part of God's life, because I was a sinner before and after this incident, and God would not defile Himself.
I hope I answered your question. I believe we have a difference in theology here. I mean no offense.
None taken. Be patient before you think you have an argument with mine__However, questions are always welcome. . .
I need understanding here: "God would not defile Himself.
Quote:
2COR12:9's
What is your definition of God's Life?
Obviously, we know Jesus summed up God's life while on earth. To see Him was to see God. However, God is a Spirit so when He sends Himself it is either to our mind or by a messenger who is able to make physical point of contact. Ergo, God's attributes are that of a universal Mind that encompasses all and is such that He can visit Himself upon all, en masse; His silence being no indication of His lack of presence. Therefore, Grace is indeed His Life and by our faith, at any point in time, can it only be received.
Question: Would it be more easily understood by using the word "favor" instead of "Life"?
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Ephesians 4:1-7
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Ephesians 4:1-7
Good text, Lee! Let compare it with what Paul sez here to see that "Christ' gift" is of the Pentecostal realm__not our faith for our initial salvation. Note: you have to use the KJV to see this because it is NOT a play on words as some would suppose:
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 (KJV)
I have been munching on the OP for a time and it occurs to me that you are being a bit too, for lack of a better word, restrictive in this.
Consider this and let me know your thoughts:
"Grace is the ESSENCE of GOD"
I am not sure that it is the overflow, but the very essence of whom GOD is.
Your thoughts?
Blessings,
Lee
God being Who He is, in the receiving of it or Him what distinction we might wish make from a pure heart would be inconsequential, wouldn't you suppose. Certainly the "pure in heart will see God", won't they?
Chambers has it as being "the overflow of God's Favor" which I also see as "Himself" stepping into the disposition or circumstance. In this we might see to understand that God never sends rival__He sends Himself. I mean, why would He send something again that didn't work the first time, whereas, He is always New__every morning! Oh, that's right, they are only His "mercies". . . . :wink:
Lov'in Jesus
PS. If we are allowing our lives to be truly built upon a new foundation of "redemption" we must learn __to practice__that we are indeed seated with Him in heavenly places__looking down and not up!
We once attended a Nazarene Church that the new Pastor was always preaching Oswald Chambers and not the Bible. He had some other personal issues, as well, and the Nazarene Church eventually took his ordination from him and removed him from the ministry in their denomination.
So, no fault of Chambers, but I still am leary of anything written by him. Eventually, I suppose I may have to get over it, but thus far in my life, and it has been over 20 years, I have been quite fine in my Christian walk without Oswald Chambers.
We once attended a Nazarene Church that the new Pastor was always preaching Oswald Chambers and not the Bible. He had some other personal issues, as well, and the Nazarene Church eventually took his ordination from him and removed him from the ministry in their denomination.
So, no fault of Chambers, but I still am leary of anything written by him. Eventually, I suppose I may have to get over it, but thus far in my life, and it has been over 20 years, I have been quite fine in my Christian walk without Oswald Chambers.
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