The Pillar of Grace is the continuation of the theme of “The Ancient Pillars”. As a review, these pillars are comprised of righteousness, wisdom, humility and grace. Grace is the last of the pillars that we will talk about. We see how important grace is as a foundation for our lives through the letters of Paul.
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
1 Corinthians 15:10
Paul opens most every letter with “grace and peace be to you” from our Lord Jesus Christ. God’s grace is extremely important for our lives if we are to grow up correctly into God’s purposes. Without grace as a foundation everything we do will be affected in our lives. Our view of God and of others is distorted without a proper understanding of grace.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
2 Corinthians 13:14
G5485 charis (khar’-ece) From G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude).
God’s grace is the divine influence upon the heart. Most have heard about grace only in the definition of “unmerited favor”. It is by grace that we are saved through faith, the gift of God. The grace of God also influences our heart in such a way that we are transformed by His Presence. Jesus said that He who is forgiven much, loves much. In other words, he who has experienced much grace, shows much grace. When we experience God’s love and forgiveness we realize the depth that we have been forgiven, in this we are able to have a greater grace in our hearts for others. When we experience God’s grace the “chip on the shoulder” is knocked off where we realize that if it were not for God’s grace we would be no better off than any other.
For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
John 1:17
Jesus was full of grace and truth, not law and a critical spirit. Man by nature is selfish. When people are hard on other people it is because they have no grace in their hearts, no divine influence. It is possible for someone to “taste” of God’s love and grace and not give it away. What we want is to fully enter into the fullness of His grace. We are called to be dispensers of the grace of God. The longer I live the more aware I am that grace is what I need. We need to realize that if we are standing it is only by the grace of God. The moment we think that we can do God’s business apart from Him, working independent of Him, we will fall. It is His grace that works in us His good pleasure.
It is always good to remind ourselves, stirring our minds to remembrance of His grace. In this there is a safeguard for us. As long as we stay dependent upon His grace, seeking His face, we are in a safe place.
Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 1:11