BIBLICAL ISSUES - Getting in Touch with His Daily Grace, Part 3
3. The Yoke of Jesus is Grace !
Look at Mt. 11:28-30
again. How can we find His rest?
We must get out from
under our heavy yokes in order to get under God's lighter one. His yoke is grace.
Grace is "undeserved favor," it is the opposite of something earned.
The word "favor"
in Romans 4:4 is the Greek word "CHARIS" meaning grace. Rom 4:4
Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a FAVOR, but as what
is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him ... his faith
is credited as righteousness,
6 just as David also speaks of ... the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
A Lighter Load?
If salvation was a gift,
an undeserved favor given by God, and NOT something you can work for, wouldn't that
lighten your burden?
Underline what these
passages say about God's grace:
Rom 4:16 For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all... those who are of the faith of Abraham....
Rom5:1NIV Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice....
Rom 5:15 The free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.
Rom 11:6 If it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.
Now doesn't that lighten your load?
You Can't Do It. & and You Don't Have To!
What do you understand these passages say about God's grace and our effort:
Rom 3:21 Apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, ... 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
Rom 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
Gal 2:21 "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."
Gal 3:1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Titus 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently.
Saved by Grace, So Live by Grace!
God's grace is essential to our salvation, but it is also essential to daily Christian living. Paul exhorted the early Christians to "continue in the grace of God," [Acts 13:43].
What do these passages teach about the role of grace in our continuing walk with God?
Acts 20:32 "And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
2 Cor 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;
2 Cor 12:9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
2 Tim 2:1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Heb 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
