Grace


noun – simple elegance or refinement of movement.
verb – do honor or credit to (someone or something) by one’s presence.

The free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings (in Christian belief).
God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.

The GRACE of God is best defined by the Apostle Paul in this verse:
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Paul used the word GRACE many, many times in his writings, as evidenced in his epistle to the believers in Rome:
Romans 1:5, 1:7, 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Romans 4:4,16, 5:2,15,17,20–21, 6:1,14–15, 11:5–6, 12:3,6, 15:15, 16:20,
Romans 16:24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
To the Church in Corinth, Paul wrote:
1 Corinthians 1:3–4, 3:10, 10:30, 15:10, 16:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
2 Corinthians 1:2,12, 4:15, 6:1 , 8:1,6–7,9, 8:19, 9:8,14, 12:9
2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
Writing to the Galatian Church, Paul wrote:
Galatians 1:3,6,15, 2:9,21, 5:4, 6:18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Writing to the Church at Ephesus, Paul wrote:
Ephesians 1:2,6–7, 2:5,7–8, 3:2,7–8, 4:7,29, 6:24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Writing to the Church at Philippi, Paul wrote:
Philippians 1:2,7, 4:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
And to the Colossians, Paul reminded them of God’s Grace:
Colossians 1:2,6, 3:16, 4:6,18 … Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
To Thessalonica, Paul wrote of God’s Grace:
1 Thessalonians 1:1, 5:28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
2 Thessalonians 1:2,12,16, 3:18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
And even in his personal letters he writes of God’s Grace:
1 Timothy 1:2,14, 6:21, 2 Timothy 1:2,9, 2:1, 4:22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
Titus 1:4, 2:11, 3:7,15,
Philemon 1:3,25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
In the Gospels it speaks of the source of grace:
Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
In Acts, only by the grace of God, through the Lord Jesus Christ:
Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Acts 11:23, 13:43, 14:3,26, 15:11,40, 18:27, 20:24, 20:32
Apostle Paul reminds Jewish Believers:
Hebrews 2:9, 4:16, 10:29, 12:15, 12:28, 13:9
Hebrews 13:25 Grace be with you all. Amen.
Epistles to Jewish Believers are reminded of God’s Grace:
James 1:11, 4:6, 1 Peter 1:2,10,13, 3:7, 4:10, 5:5,10,12, 2 Peter 1:2, 3:18,
2 John 1:3, Jude 1:4
Revelation 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
And the final word in Scripture:
Revelation 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen

G R A C E

God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense

Without God’s GRACE all would be LOST:

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

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Hope

English
Noun – a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
Verb – want something to happen or be the case.
Greek
Noun – elpís (from elpō, “to anticipate, welcome”) – properly, expectation of what is sure (certain); hope.
Verb – elpizo to trust

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The Apostle Paul wrote to believers much about our Hope. He used the word 39 times in his epistles:
To the believers in Rome he referred to our HOPE 13 times:
Romans 4:18 5:2 5:4-5 8:20 8:24-25 12:12 15:4 15:13
To the weak believers in the Corinthian Church Paul wrote to them about the believer’s HOPE (8 times):
1 Corinthians 9:10 13:13 15:19 2 Corinthians 1:7 3:12 10:15
And to the church in Galatian (who were wanting to bring the Law into Grace, Paul again used HOPE:
Galatians 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
To the faithful in Ephesus he reminded them of what hope is.
Ephesians 1:18 2:12 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
To Philippi Believers he spoke of His Hope.
Philippians 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, …
Hope of Heaven, of the Gospel, in Glory was his message to the Colossians:
Colossians 1:5 1:23 1:27
Having only spent a brief time with the believer’s in Thessalonica he taught them a lot and reestablished their belief with the Hope in our Lord Jesus:
1 Thessalonians 1:3 2:19 4:13 5:8 2 Thessalonians 2:16
As Paul prepared to depart this life he wrote to his “Preacher Boys” of hope:
1 Timothy 1:1 Titus 1:2 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, 3:7
To believing Hebrews (Jews) he wanted to establish their hope:
Hebrews 3:6 6:11 6:18-19 7:19
Peter writing to believing Jews scattered abroad (1:1) spoke of this hope:
1 Peter 1:3 1:13 1:21 3:15
And the Apostle John reminds us, every man can have this hope:
1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

HOPE IS NOT A WISH FOR: IT’S AN I KNOW SO!

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Mercy and Grace

Mercy (compassion or forgiveness) can be shown toward an individual and the individual can still be punished or harmed.
Grace (free and unmerited favor) on the other hand is complete forgiveness.

Mercy is in OT 208 and in NT 53 – compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.
Grace is in OT 37 and in NT 122 – the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.

As the Scripture is searched and compared it can be concluded that there is a difference between Mercy and Grace.


The Grace God gives to Believers is because He has Mercy (Romans 9:15 …, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.), and it is given as a free gift (Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.)

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Mercy

Noun – compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.

MERCY is found 208 times in the Old Testament and 22 times it refers to the Mercy Seat. Many references to God’s mercy is shown to individuals.

The Apostle Paul had much to say about the Mercy of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. He quoted the Old Testament several times.
Romans 9:15-16,18 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
Romans 9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Romans 11:30-32 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Romans 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 15:9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.
Paul reminds Gentile believers that God’s mercy is extended to them,
2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
Galatians 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Philippians 2:27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

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Faith – Grace

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noun
complete trust or confidence in someone or something.

strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.

But a better definition is found in
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

And a complete reading of Chapter 11 demonstrates how God was pleased to accept mankind prior to the Cross; they showed their faith by their works.

A review of the word faith in the gospels proves interesting. In the Gospels several of the references are words of Christ and it speaks of “little faith”.
Matthew 6:30, 8:26, 14:31, 16:8, 17:17,20, 23:23, Mark 4:40, 9:19,
Luke 8:25, 9:41, 12:28,42, 16:10,11,12

But He did find those with Faith.
Matthew 8:10, 9:2,22,29, 15:28, Mark 2:5, 5:34, 10:52, Luke 5:20, 7:9,50, Luke 8:48, 17:19, 18:8,42, 22:32, John 20:27

And He taught about being faithful.
Matthew 24:25, 25:21,23, Mark 11:22 Luke 16:6, 19:17,

In the book of Acts “Faith” was used in reference to believing in the name of Jesus (as Messiah).
Acts 3:16, 6:5,7,8, 11:24, 13:8, 14:9,22,27, 15:9, 16:5,15, 20:21, 24:24, 26:18

The apostle Paul in his epistles gives the best understanding of Faith.
In Hebrews, as stated above, chapter 11 FAITH is best defined. Paul speaks of Faith 187 times in his epistles. Many times he used it in his greetings and oft times in his salutations.
Romans (34) 1 Corinthians (12) 2 Corinthians (6) Galatians (20) Ephesians (10) Philippians (4) Colossians (9) 1 Thessalonians (9) 2 Thessalonians (5) 1 Timothy (23) 2 Timothy (11) Titus (8) Philemon (2) Hebrews (34)

Before continuing the study of Faith, what does Grace have to do with it? Paul best answers that question.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Then without GRACE there is no salvation. However God extends His Grace:
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

James, Peter, John and Jude write to Jewish believers also speak of Faith giving many practical applications of Faith:
James (12) 1:3,6, 2:1,5,14,17,18,20,22,24,26,5:15
1 Peter (7) 1:5,7,9,21, 4:19,5:9,12
2 Peter (2) 1:1,5
1 John (2) 1:9, 5:4
3 John (1) 1:5
Jude (2) 1:3,20
Revelation (11) 1:5, 2:10,13,19, 3:14, 13:10, 14:12, 17:14, 19:11, 21:5, 22:6

These all need further study. Perhaps in another posting.
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Doctrine

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The word DOCTRINE is found:
49 times in the New Testament – 18 times in the Gospels and Acts
and 31 times in Paul’s Epistles

“A belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church, political party, or other group”.

False Doctrine
Matthew 15:9, Mark 7:7 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Matthew 16:12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Astonished at His doctrine
Matthew 7:28, Mark 1:22, Luke 4:32 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
Matthew 22:33, Mark 11:18 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
His was a new doctrine
Mark 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
John 7:16 Jesus answered them, …, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
He taught in a new way
Mark 12:38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
John 18:19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
Mark 4:2 And he taught them many things by parables, and … in his doctrine,
His Doctrine:
Matthew 4:17 Jesus began to preach, …, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching … the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease …
Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted … for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

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Satan – A Real Being 2 Part 4

Revelation 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Revelation 2:13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
Revelation 2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
Revelation 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
                And at the end of the book he reports the final judgement of Satan.
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Revelation 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Revelation 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Revelation 20:10  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

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What about Satan and the Origin of Evil? | Answers in Genesis

Satan – A Real Being 2 Part 3

              Peter knows the power of Satan, how he can influence people to sin. (remember Luke 22:31)
Acts 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
                The Lord saves and commissions Saul (later Paul) on the road to Damascus and tells him of the power of Satan.
Acts 26:16-18 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
                Paul’s Teachings concerning Satan. Part of Paul’s commission. Satan has devices and is not a red skinned, horned, tailed imp carrying a pitchfork.
2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Paul knew of the interference of Satan with carnal believers.
1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1 Corinthians 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
                Paul experienced the interference of Satan personally.
2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
1 Thessalonians 2:18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
2 Thessalonians 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
1 Timothy 1:20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
1 Timothy 5:15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
                Paul knew the end of Satan and comforted the believers.
Romans 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.                The Apostle John writing in the Revelation, quoting the risen Lord Jesus Christ in his warnings to the Churches (Jewish assemblies):

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Satan – A Real Being 2 Part 2

           The final mention of Satan in the Old Testament is in Zechariah. (Joshua is probably a reference to the Lord Jesus in His walk on Earth).
Zechariah 3:1-2 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
            In the Gospels the Lord Jesus is confronted and tested by Satan all during His ministry. He later teaches about Satan.
Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Mark 1:13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Matthew 12:26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
Mark 3:23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?
Mark 3:26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.
Matthew 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Mark 4:15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
Mark 8:33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Who is our Enemy? - Lesson 4 in Explorers series 1

                (See Dispensations – Charts / SATAN – Names and Chart)
Luke 11:18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
Luke 13:16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
John 13:27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
Luke 22:3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

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Satan – A Real Being Part 5

The Apostle John writing in the Revelation, quoting the risen Lord Jesus Christ in his warnings to the Churches (Jewish assemblies):

Revelation 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
Revelation 2:13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
Revelation 2:24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.
Revelation 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

And at the end of the book he reports the final judgement of Satan.

Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Revelation 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Revelation 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

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