The Purpose of Grace

1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
 
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
 
Ephesians 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
 
John 20:19-22 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
 
Acts 2:1-4 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
 
We receive grace for the following reasons:

1. To bring about obedience of faith.

• Romans 1:1-5 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,

 

• Ezekiel 36:26-27 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of    your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes,  and you will keep My judgments and do them.

2. For the sake of His name.

• Romans 1:5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,
  
• Ezekiel 36:22-27 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord God: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. 23 And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord,” says the Lord God, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes.
• Psalm 23:3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

 
3. To be a witness among the nations.

• Romans 1:5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,
• Ephesians 3:8-9 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;

There is no doubt that the Grace extended to us from our heavenly Father is the ultimate show of love. The outpouring of the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ is the most beautiful love story ever written. 

Pick one of the points or all three and expand on the scripture. How does your life reflect Grace in this way.? How is the purpose of grace evident in your own life?

RAK CHAZAK,
brother david