Jeremiah 6:16, 2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2

Ephesians 2:8 tells us, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift. The amplified bible puts it this way: For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God.”

In John 16 Jesus said that when the Spirit comes, that He will convict the World about sin, righteousness, and Judgment. Conviction of sin, of wrong doing and wrong being are also God’s grace at work in out lives. This is the grace that comes before saving grace, it is the prevenient grace of God. 

When we do God’s Saving Grace blesses us with salvation by giving us new life and if we continue to follow Christ we receive grace as co-workers with Him in the ministry of reconciliation. Sanctifying grace… 

Don’t receive the grace of God in vain.

Grace, for a believer, is everything, it is the undeserved favor of God and then after salvation it is the divine unmerited assistance of God. 

We are now co-workers with God in the ministry of reconciliation. He works in us, enabling us to overcome sin and to change the habits, the hurts, and hang-ups that mess up our going the good way. 

It is His grace that helps us… 

He creates new life for you in Christ, which is to look nothing like the old life with its fleshly desires and attitudes. And that is done by the enabling presence of the Spirit as we walk the way of obedience in Christ. This is grace!!! 

God made a way, The good way and now all anyone has to do is choose it. So, we should not let God’s grace go unanswered, we should not receive it in vain. Each believer has to be doing their part as members of His body to fulfill our God given mission. 

John 3:16 says, For God so loved the World that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish. This is grace! In 1 peter 4:10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

Jesus said that apart from Him we can do nothing. It takes an act of will to step out in faith, to be what you are called to be and in order to be His, to be the temple of the living God you have to deny yourself, crucify the flesh and follow Him. 

Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires Galatians 5:24 see Galatians 2:20. That to is done in and with the grace of God… 

The Bible tells us in 2 Peter that the Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. As a Believer you are God’s co-worker in the ministry of reconciliation. As His co-worker you are grace empowered to reach out to your neighbor… Be the messenger! Work with God and not with the enemy. It is your choice. 

Now is the acceptable time We live in the day of salvation – the day of Grace…. 

Discussion Guide:

• Has God’s grace been given to you in vain?
• Who is going to be in heaven because you received God’s grace?

Further Reading: Luke 9:23, Ephesians 2:1-10, Acts 20:24, James 4:6, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, Hebrews 4:16, Titus 2:11-14, 1 John 3:1, Romans 6:4, John 3:3, Galatians 5:24, Colossians 1:21-23, Colossians 3:1-17, Romans 12