Day 9

Topic: Faith towards God

Title: Acronym with meaning # 2 G.R.A.C.E.

​

Truth Verse: Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and

this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

 

Truth Story: If faith is the tap, then grace is the conduit of multiple resources that flow

from the fountain of God’s presence. The acronym God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense

sums up the reservoir of benefits, inherent in Christ’s sacrificial love; evidenced in His

vicarious death, burial and amazing resurrection.

​

Truth Unpacked: Jesus Christ came full of grace and truth. The order of this binary code in which Jesus came and lived life, is key to keeping both ‘grace-less religiouslegalism’ and ‘truth-less excess spirituality’, at bay, in our faith walk. Strong’s concordance defines New Testament Grace (Charis - Greek) as ‘the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life’. It is ‘the manner or act of favorable regard, resulting in the heart becoming delightfully calm and happy, pleasurable, cheerful, and well-off.’ Grace is undeserved favour, unmerited favour & unearned favour!  Grace is when you get what you don't deserve; Mercy is when you don't get what you do deserve.  

 

In the story, commonly known as the Prodigal Son, remember the word prodigal (which isn’t in the text) means “one who is given to wasteful luxury or extravagance.”  Reread Luke 15 and look again to find that it is the father in the story, a metaphor of our Prodigal God, who has lavished his love, grace and mercy upon us, through the redemptive work of Jesus. The idea here is that mercy is withholding deserved punishment, and grace is an undeserved gift.  James, Jesus’ brother, tells us that judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

John Newton's testimony, of how the once slave-trading ship captain experienced the saving grace of God, penned the well known hymn, "Amazing Grace." Newton is quoted to have said on his death bed, "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour." Newton understood the truth of his sin and the grace of Christ the Saviour.  

 

Pray:

Lord, help me to grow to be more like Jesus today.  Ever remind me of your amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.