Blog
Jesus is God’s Grace and God’s Gift to Us
- December 24, 2022
- Posted by: Marcel Sanchez
- Category: Spiritual Life
There’s one word that radically changes EVERYTHING today and tomorrow.
The impact of this one word is astonishing and immeasurable.
It’s not at all what you deserve, but it’s been given to you in unimaginable abundance.
Tomorrow morning, you might be waking up to open gifts and spend time with your family.
You might drink a good cup of coffee or hot cocoa as you turn on Christmas music.
If someone asked you to summarize what Christmas means to you in one word, what word would you select?
You might respond with the words, hope, life, love, joy, or peace.
But today, I would like for you to think about one word that connects everything together.
It’s a word that is deeply transformative and generously kind as extended to you by God.
What’s is this powerful word?
GRACE is the word.
Jesus is God’s GRACE and God's Gift to Us
When we believe is God’s grace, Jesus Christ, our old fallen spiritual nature is transformed into a new spiritual nature.
The Apostle Paul describes it this way.
Ephesians 2:1-10, ESV
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Today, I would like to share with you five principles to help you better understand this amazing gift that you have in knowing Jesus.
1. DEAD: You value the gift of Christ when you’re honest about your past (2:1-3)
Ephesians 2:1-2, ESV
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, Before you were changed by God’s grace, your sinful spiritual nature ruled; it was lifeless, hopeless, and alienated from the life of God (Ephesians 4:18).
This was the reality of your life before Christ. You sinned because at the core of your human nature, you were sinful and corrupt.
What marks the life of the spiritually dead?
First, you followed the course of this world. When you start a course, you often find Course Objectives listed.
Course Objectives are the expected outcomes, the destination, or goal for the course.
For example, “By the end of this course, the student will be able to…speak with greater confidence” and it lists several objectives.
Although we don’t enjoy talking about it, Satan has a set of course objectives as well.
As you follow his plan, the outcome is pain, separation, addiction, relational destruction, anxiety, and so much more.
You refused to forgive the offenses of others, you neglected those in need, you were filled with lust or pride.
It was the way of Satan and you didn’t even know it.
Third, you followed your fleshly passions (the lust of your flesh, the lust of your eyes, and the pride of life).
And why did you do all these things?
Because you were spiritually dead; the life of God was not present within you.
But God’s generous grace—through Jesus Christ—changed everything!
2. ALIVE: You were made alive together with Christ by God’s grace (2:4-5)
Ephesians 2:4-5, ESV
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.
You need a “But God” moment in your life!
“But God” teaches us that God’s grace through Jesus Christ—to make us alive—is the overflow of God’s mercy and love.
The gift of God is spiritual life through Jesus Christ.
God gives us immeasurably more than we can ask for or imagine.
But what exactly is grace in this spiritual context?
3. RICH: There are immeasurable riches of God’s grace for you to experience (2:6-7)
Ephesians 2:6-7, ESV
And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
In Christ, you have been made alive spiritually—with every spiritual blessing—and relocated from earth to heaven.
You have a new position in Christ and a new location with Christ.
And this spiritual blessing you have is forever yours because of the richness of God’s amazing grace.
God’s grace through Christ is exponentially more than you can ask for, imagine, or deserve.
You can enjoy life knowing that God will never leave you nor forsake you.
You can forgive others freely after receiving God’s mercy and compassion in your life.
You are rich in Christ so you don’t have to chase material things to prove your sense of worth to others.
Your identity is eternally secured in Jesus Christ.
You can live in freedom rather than in bondage to sin.
This is what the rich spiritual life in Christ is all about.
And now you can tell others how they can truly be rich by introducing them to Jesus Christ.
4. FAITH: The grace of God, gives you peace with God, through faith in Jesus Christ (2:8-9)
Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
God’s grace through Jesus Christ is the source of your changed spiritual life and eternal salvation.
You only have direct access to God through faith in Jesus Christ.
There is no other way to reach God.
God did not make many ways to reach Him and be at peace with Him.
God decided what the way would be; Jesus is the only way to God.
Jesus is the way of God and the way to God.
That may sound too narrow, but God is the one that declares these things to be true and unchanging.
Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
God’s grace can’t be purchased with your money, earned with your effort, or sustained with your power.
Your salvation was paid in full by God, fulfilled in Christ, and sustained through the power of the Spirit.
5. WALK: Do the good works that God has created you to do (2:10)
Ephesians 2:10, ESV
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
In Christ, you are a special work of God—a masterpiece—created to glorify God through good works.
God made you for His eternal purposes and glory.
He purchased you with His blood and transformed you from death to life.
You are a work of God in the flesh.
You’re not here on earth by accident.
God placed you here intentionally to carry out His divine purposes in Christ and through Christ.
The evidence of your salvation—your changed life—is made visible by the good works produced through your life that point people to Jesus.
You’re not saved BY good works, but you are saved FOR good works to fulfill God’s purposes in your life.
Now that you understand more about God’s grace in your life, what does that look like in your relationships?
When others are discouraged, build them up with your words.
When others feel ashamed, speak words of forgiveness and hope.
When others ask for your help, stop what you’re doing, and help them.
When others feel unworthy of receiving good things, give them something great and extraordinary.
When others are sick, emotionally drained, or hurting from within, give them the gift of your presence and generous compassion.