GOD’S MARVELOUS GRACE – PART 2 [MONDAY MANNA 47]

Dear brethren,

C.S. Lewis, the famous Christian writer (Mere Christianity, etc.), I’m told was once asked what he thought was the difference between our faith and other religions. “That’s easy,” he replied, “it’s grace.”  I think he meant that all other religions demand a man to perform “works” in order to be approved to some standard initially, some plumb line for beginning salvation.

But we know the truth, beloved:

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

But lest we be like most teachers these days, we, like Paul, immediately follow this great truth with the result, i.e. the effect in our lives:

Ephesians 2:10  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

But, as we saw last time, God’s grace requires something, as seen in the patron-client relationship. This relationship, if true, flies in the face of our stated notion in the West that God just dispenses things willy-nilly with little or no expected return. We wrote that we must understand the then and there (the past) to fully understand and obey in the here and now. To do the opposite and lead people astray, even if unknowingly, will spell disaster. Why?

James 3:1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment (“greater condemnation” in the KJV).

Recapping from Malina and Rohrbaugh’s magnificent work, Social-Science Commentary on the Synoptic Gospels, “Patronage System in Roman Palestine, “ page 388-90, we find:

“Patron-client systems (exist for) reciprocity between social unequals…(a) person in need (called a client) has his needs met by… a higher-status, well-situated person (called a patron). By granting the favor, the client implicitly promises to pay back the patron whenever and however the patron determines. By granting the favor, the patron, in turn, implicitly promised to be open for further requests at unspecified later times…Brokers mediate between patrons above and clients below…In the Gospels, Jesus often acts as the broker for God…the one through whom clients obtain access to God’s favor… (clients) owe loyalty and public acknowledgment of honor (to the patron) in return…in the new testament the language of grace is the language of patronage.”

Some time ago I posed a scenario to several men who I was teaching about grace. “Suppose I gave you my little 6 year old granddaughter to care for since I was on my way to be martyred for my faith in Jesus.” Now this is a very common scenario throughout history around the world, I explained.

I continued, “Are there any expectations or requirements with this “gift?” 

“Yes,” responded a newer believer immediately, for implicit in that “gift” is enormous responsibility. He emphatically stated the gift was not free in the sense we have no reciprocity.

He taught us a principle that we’d all do well to remember.

With this backdrop, we turn to God’s preserved and inspired Word to get a glimpse of what grace really is by His definition, what is it’s intended effect, and what is our responsibility. That is, how do we as lower-status and dependent clients implicitly promise to carry out for (or at least offer ourselves as a minimum) the patron (the Father) whenever and however the patron (the Father) determines? Also, how do we clients owe loyalty and public acknowledgment of honor (to the Father) in return for His favor, His grace?

There’re 4 main Greek words that translate many English words concerning God’s favor, gifting, grace, forgiveness, etc. in the New Testament. The numbers in parenthesis such as (3) indicate the number of times that Greek work is rendered as that specific English word:

Primary Word 1 – charis, khar’-ece;; noun, Greek 5485 NASB; a prim. word; grace, kindness:— blessing(1), concession(1), credit(3), favor(11), gift(1), grace(122), gracious(2), gracious work(3), gratitude(1), thank(3), thankfulness(2), thanks(6).

Word 2  – charisma, khar’-is-mah; noun, Greek 5486, NASB; from Greek 5483; a gift of grace, a free gift:— favor(1), free gift(3), gift(5), gifts(7), spiritual gift(1).

Word 3 – charizomai, khar-id’-zom-ahee; verb, Greek 5483, NASB; from Greek 5485; to show favor, give freely:— bestowed(1), forgave(2), forgive(3), forgiven(4), forgiving(2), freely give(1), gave(1), given(1), graciously forgave(1), granted(4), hand(2), things freely given(1).

Word 4 – charitoo, khar-ee-to’-o; verb, Greek 5487, NASB; from Greek 5485 (charis); to make graceful, endow with grace:- favored(1), freely bestowed(1).

We here at Walk Worthy have this word and verse study in a 17 page document I can attach if you’d like. It’s really rich in truth! Just request it via email.

Let’s take a look at this treasure chest, this gold mine of truth:

1. “Favored” (graced) one: Mary was singled out for a special work, God favored her above others  – Luke 1:28
2. “Grace” was upon Jesus, so He increased in wisdom, statue, and in “favor” with both God and man, i.e. “grace and favor” can increase – Luke 2:40, 52
3. Words of “grace” came from Jesus’ lips, can come from ours too, i.e. He almost got murdered that day by His hometown neighbors for His “gracious” words; might we too? – Luke 4:22-30
4. Healing by His favor: “Gave”  healing of sight – Luke 7:21
5. Forgiveness by His favor: “Graciously forgave” both debtors
6. Jesus is full of “grace” and truth; by Him THEY are realized – John 1:14, 17
7. By His fullness, we’ve received “grace upon grace,” i.e. favor upon favor – John 1:16
8. Having “favor” with all people when God’s people are in one mind, with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God – Acts 46-47
9. Abundant “grace” can be upon the saints – Acts 4:33
10. Both Joseph and David, based on their loving obedience, were granted and found “favor” in God’s sight– Acts 7:9-10, 46
11. “Grace” can be witnessed in action – Acts 11:23
12. We can urge saints to continue in the “grace” of God – Acts 13:43
13. The Lord Himself testifies to the word of His “grace, ” granting signs and wonders – Acts 14:3
14. Saints can commend and commit (hand over) each other to the “grace” of God – Acts 14:26, 15:40, 20:32
15. We’re saved through the “grace” of our Lord Jesus – Acts 15:11, 18:27, Eph. 2:8
16. We can testify solemnly of the gospel of the “grace” of God – Acts 20:24
17. “Favor” and “concessions” can be given by unbelievers to each other – Acts 24:27, 25:3, 9, 16
18. We can impart some spiritual “gift” (grace) to strengthen and be encouraged by each other’s faith – Rom. 1:11-12 
19. We’re justified (made righteous) as a gift by His “grace” – Rom. 3:24
20. Righteousness in salvation is by our faith in accord (harmony, conformity) with “grace” so that the promise to Abraham is guaranteed to all who believe – Rom. 4:13-16
21. Our Lord Jesus provides both peace with the Father and an introduction (meaning more to come!) into “grace” – Rom. 5:1-2
22. The “gift” arose from sins, resulting in justification (made right with God), so BY Jesus’ “grace” He gave “grace” –  Rom. 5:15-17
23. “Grace” abounds more in the presence of increasing sin, and righteously reigns to eternal life – Rom. 5:20-21
24. “Grace” provides the way to master sin, for we’re not under the Law – Rom. 6:1, 14-15
25. “Thanks” (grace) to God for freedom from sin and slavery to righteousness (enslaved to God), becoming  obedient from the heart, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome being eternal life – Rom. 6:17-23
26. The “gift” of God the Father is eternal life in Jesus – Rom. 6:23
27. God is for us! As God the Father did not spare his own son but delivered Christ over (to murderers) for us all, God “gives” (graces) us all things, no one will bring a condemning charge against His elect – Rom. 8:31-32
28. God has not rejected the Jews, therefore a remnant of Israelites has been kept by God’s “gracious” choice, not based on their works – Rom. 11:2-6
29. We have “gifts” that differ according to the “grace” given us, but our responsibility must be to exercise them as many members of one body – Rom. 12:6
30. Paul received “grace” to minister of Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God – Rom. 15:15-16
31. The “grace” (favor, blessing, gifts) of our Lord Jesus be with us – Rom. 16:20, 24

Until next time, holy ones, fight the good fight, by the “grace” of our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Every grace today, beloved….

Please comment on this post right below. Feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion.

Your friend and brother in fighting the good fight,

Marc

+++

See the other parts:

GOD’S MARVELOUS GRACE – PART 1  [MONDAY MANNA 46]

GOD’S MARVELOUS GRACE – PART 2  [MONDAY MANNA 47]

GOD’S MARVELOUS GRACE – PART 3  [MONDAY MANNA 48]

GOD’S MARVELOUS GRACE – PART 4  [MONDAY MANNA 49]

Saints, we’re one day closer to Home, and Him! Love Him wholeheartedly!

You may view our Archives here: MONDAY MANNA – ARCHIVES;   Complete Archives; feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion. May our Father richly bless you with His grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in order to walk worthy of His name.