THE MEANING OF CHRIST’S GRACE

By Venerable Dr Ifechukwu Ibeme

Websites: http://www.scribd.com/ifeogo ; http://priscaquila.6te.net ;
Comment on The Chapel of Grace Blog: http://thechapelofgrace.wordpress.com

CONTENTS
1. God’s Saving Purpose began in the Old Testament.
2. God’s Saving Purpose began with Love and Mercy, then Law and Grace.
3. Christ’s Grace is Power for Salvation.
4. We need to notice that Grace is misconceived in Postmodernity times.
5. We need to observe what the Bible says that Saving Grace actually is.
6. We need to learn that Grace is Divine Gift to be stewarded or dispensed with diligent accountability.
7. We need to take advantage of means by which Grace could be enhanced or increased.

1 Corinthians 15:10
(10) But by the GRACE OF GOD I am what I am: and HIS GRACE WHICH WAS
BESTOWED UPON 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.

Ephesians 4:7
(7) But unto every one of us is GIVEN GRACE according to the measure of the GIFT OF
CHRIST.
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1. God’s Saving Purpose began in the Old Testament.

God has a SAVING PURPOSE in revealing Himself to humanity through His educative Law and His
regenerative Gospel. This saving purpose is to help us ESCAPE our wretched lives of depravity and
damnation and thereby helping us ENJOY His blissful life of purity and power.
 God’s Laws were for PEDAGOGIC PURPOSE for those already in His Covenant and not meant to
make us merit entrance into His Covenant or Kingdom but were meant to guide us for
acceptable walk and work, witness and worship after we have been brought into His Covenant
or Kingdom (Deut 4:45; 5:31-33; 6:1).
 Because of His pardoning mercy and loving kindness, God has given us quickening and enabling
Grace and brought us out of dominion of sin into His Kingdom by His mighty power (Eph 2:4-6).
 The Law has educative information to enlighten us with the knowledge of God but lacks the
enabling power to do what it teaches. Grace of Christ which has regenerative power to quicken
us with the life of God and enabling power to do what God pleases, is given freely to us through
the Gospel.
 Tragically, many Jews especially the Pharisees misunderstood the purpose of the Law to mean
only outward judicial LEGALISM; while many Christians misunderstand the purpose of the
Gospel to mean only inward subjective LIBERTINISM. But the Gospel brings us into wholesome
LOYALISM to God.

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Ritual cleansing works provided by the OT Law have been superseded by the Spiritual saving work
provided by the Cross of the NT Gospel. On the other hand, Moral truth and precepts of both OT and
NT are not divergent but in agreement, only that their bases of operation vary.
The elementary moral standards of OT Law and regulations demand elementary LEGALITY and
compliance based on institutional SUPERVISION.
The advanced moral standards of NT Love and consecration deserve advanced LOYALTY and
commitment based on spiritual SUBMISSION.

When Saint Paul used the term “Law”, he did not always refer to codes, commands or guiding
PRINCIPLE, but sometimes Law referred to operational ideology, driving PURPOSES and PERSUASIONS
motivating our desires, decisions and deeds. When Paul says THE LAW, though he often refers to the
coded TENETS prescribed and propounded by God through Moses for Israel’s temporal personal relation
(i.e. MORAL Laws), priestly remission (i.e. RITUAL Laws) and princely regulation (i.e. CIVIL Laws). He also
sometimes meant the compelling TENDENCIES also incidentally insinuated by God through Moses,
which inwardly propels and persuades all humanity with propensity toward sin and death since Eden
(i.e. IMMORAL forces). The context would help determine which LAW is intended – Law (Principles) of
coded TENETS or Law (Propensities) of compelling TENDENCIES (Rom 7:21-23; 8:2-3). So in the New
Testament LAW was used:
 in some contexts to mean the coded TENETS documented in Scriptures to educate and regulate
our choices (Law of commandments and ordinances Rom chapters 2-6; Eph 2:15),
 but in other contexts to mean the compelling TENDENCIES operating in our body and mind that
motivate our actions (Spiritual Tendency ruled by Law of the Spirit, Natural Tendency ruled by
Law of the mind and Carnal Tendency ruled by Law of sin and death in the body/flesh Rom 7:23-
8:2).

We are under the Moral LAW OF (or Regenerate Tendency unto) THE SPIRIT that brings life when we
operate (walk/work) according to God’s desires, decrees, demands, designs, declarations, doctrines unto
divine life. God is the Author, Judge and Justifier for the Law of God and its blessings.

We are under the Immoral LAW OF (or Reprobate Tendency under) SIN that brings death when we
operate (walk/work) according to ungodly (demonic and carnal) desires, deception, depravity,
dissipation, divination, disobedience unto damnation and death. Satan is the rebellious author of the
Law of (or Tendency unto) sin, but God being the Judge of all is the Author of its punishment both here
and in hell.

To obey (believe in, agree or comply with) the LAW OF (Regenerate Tendency under) THE SPIRIT is life
and reconciliation with God, as well as liberty and sanctification in His presence.
To disobey the Law of God is SIN (transgression, rebellion and enmity) against God, it is also to FALL
under bondage to the Law of sin with consequential divine damnation and death.

God shared fellowship with Adam on the operational basis of His Law of (or Tendency unto} the Spirit
and life, but warned Adam against the Law of (or Tendency unto) sin and death without providing any
RITUAL or SPIRITUAL remedies (just as it was applicable to Angels). So when Adam submitted to the Law
of (Tendency unto) sin in fellowship with the devil, he was damned unto death and depravity just as was
applicable to the Devil and his demons. But within Himself, God already had a loving gracious provision
for redeeming fallen humanity (but not for fallen Angels) IN THE SON according to the pleasure of His
will to be fulfilled in due time (Eph 1:4-11). Thank God!

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Since Adam fell into sin and death, there has always been (Rom 5:12-21) LAW OF GOD (i.e. Law of Christ,
Law of Spirit of life, Law of Righteousness, Law of Liberty, Royal Law, Law of Love, Law of Godliness, Law
of Faith Rom 3:7; 7:22, 25a; 8:2a, 7; 9:31; 1Cor 9:21; Gal 6:2; Jas 1:25; 2:8, 12) which is the operational
tendency in human mind or spirit or conscience (whether Jew or Gentile) unto sanctity. There has also
been the LAW OF SIN AND DEATH (i.e. Law of the Flesh Rom 7:5, 21, 23, 25b; 8:2b; Heb 7:16) which is
the operational tendency in human flesh or body (whether Jew or Gentile) unto iniquity. What is lacking
in humans is the wherewithal to deal with sin’s PENALTY, sin’s POLLUTION, sin’s POWER and sin’s
PRESENCE, but Christ has provide all these to those who believe in Him. This supernatural provision is
what the Apostles designated as GRACE in the Scriptures. Praise God!

Moses was the first person inspired to write The Law of God in the Torah (Genesis to Deuteronomy) as
tenets/codes designated in many Scriptures as God’s moral COMMANDMENTS, God’s civil JUDGMENTS,
and God’s ritual STATUTES.

“And if you shall despise my STATUTES, or if your soul abhors my JUDGMENTS, so

that you will not do all my COMMANDMENTS, but that you break my covenant:”
(Leviticus 26:15)

“But as for you, stand you here by me, and I will speak unto you all the
COMMANDMENTS, and the STATUTES, and the JUDGMENTS, which you shall teach
them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it.”
(Deuteronomy 5:31)

The Torah Laws elaborate Godly Tenets on how to practically deal with the two Laws/Tendencies
(Moral Tendency and Immoral Tendency) for family in the Tents, society in the Territory and liturgy in
the Tabernacle. The 613 codes of the Torah were not meant to provide saving grace and enabling
tendency to overcome weakness and wickedness but proffered codes or tenets for individual (Personal)
as well as institutional (Priestly and Princely) conduct:
1. CEREMONIAL/Ritual codes or STATUTES/ORDINANCES (e.g. for PRIESTLY mediated cleansings,
circumcision and consecrations) which specifically provided particular RITUAL remedies for
temporarily REMIT the flesh’s weakness for the penitent Israelites; (Violation of Ritual Laws
attracts CURSES from God and these Laws were perfectly EXPIATED by Christ on the Cross for
Christians to APPROPRIATE by Faith).

2. CIVIL/Judicial codes or JUDGMENTS (e.g. for PRINCELY officiated judgments and governance)
which provided appropriate REGAL guidelines on how to REWARD the godly Israelites and
JUDICIAL remedies to temporarily RESTRAIN the flesh’s wickedness of ungodly Israelites;
(Violation of Civil Laws attracts PENALTIES from the Civil Authorities but these Laws shall be
perfectly EXECUTED by Christ as Judge of all at His Second Coming for Christians to ANTICIPATE
through humane civil order).

3. CONSCIENCE/Moral codes or COMMANDMENT (e.g. for PERSONAL interactive comportment

and contract) which provided MORAL guidelines on what is right and wrong way to RELATE
charitably with fellow Israelites; (Violation of Moral Laws attracts CURSES from God and these
Laws were perfectly EXEMPLIFIED by Christ in His love and sinlessness for Christians to IMITATE
by the help of enabling Grace and the indwelling Spirit to bear the “Fruit of the Spirit” or “Fruit
of Righteousness” Gal 5:22; Eph 5:9; Heb 12:11; Jas 3:16).

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 This is why the Apostles insist that Christian are always required to use the inspired Scriptures of
all of the Old Testament for INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS (2Tim 3:16)

Even today the Church and State operate on the two institutional principles (Remission by the Church
and Restraint by the State) of Divine Dominion. It is important to note that in Genesis to Deuteronomy,
Moses did not just set out to draft the Law exclusively as 613 commandment or codes but did so
practically and PROFITABLY within the context of pragmatic historical narratives, projects, programmes,
prophecies, promises, genealogies, censuses, and even poetry. It requires critical study to analyse the
codes into these various (Moral, Civil and Ritual) purposes.

When Paul says THE LAW, he often refers to the coded TENETS of RITUAL and MORAL Law prescribed
and propounded through Moses for Israel’s temporal personal relation, priestly remission and princely
regulation, or he sometimes means the compelling TENDENCIES of IMMORAL Law inwardly propelling
and persuading all humanity since Eden toward sin and death, incidentally also expounded by Moses.
The context would help determine which Law is intended – principled Tenets or propelling Tendencies
(Rom 7:21-23; 8:2-3). However what Christ fulfilled and superseded is the Ritual Law and its Priestly
mediatory works of remission for us to RECEIVE by faith in Him. Christ also exemplified the personal
moral relations for us to IMITATE but He left the Princely ruler-ship for us to bind and loose according to
godly principles and precepts till He comes to reign on the earth with us at the resurrection.

Christ came to provide the ultimate ATONING FREE-GIFT/GRACE as alternative to the mosaic ritual
remedies through His Blood. But He also provided the ENABLING FREE-GIFT/GRACE through the Holy
Spirit. Now we are free to fight and enabled to win the Spiritual warfare between the Law/Tendency of
the Spirit and the Law/Tendency of the flesh till Christ comes to bring all things to final judgment.

The New Testament used the Old Testament Law and Prophetic Scriptures as simulating EXAMPLES to
demonstrate and as INSTRUCTIONS manual to expound our need for Salvation. The Old Testament also
helps the New Testament Church to appreciate the riches of His redeeming power of Christ’s ATONING
FREE-GIFT/GRACE for our sins and His ENABLING FREE-GIFT/GRACE for our victory over sin. The Apostles
and Christ also used the Tenets Law of the Old Testament to explain the battleground array of the epic
spiritual war between the Tendency Law of Spirit unto Life and the Tendency Law of sin unto death.

The Spirit by the effectual working of His Grace helps (fills, leads and enables) us to respond aright
according to God’s Word/Law/Scriptures at every battleground of our life as Christ did in His wilderness
temptation. Being filled or led by the Spirit does not mean having no Law/Tenets or having no need to
study the Law/Word/Scriptures, but being freed from power and penalty of sin and enabled to positively
operate (walk/work) the desirable Law/Tendency of the Spirit and defeat the undesirable Law/Tendency
of the flesh. All our desires, dispositions, decisions and deeds are battleground for the Law of the Spirit
and the Law of the Flesh. We will always need to study the Scriptures (our manual and simulator) to
have a good and refresher knowledge and wisdom in order to always demonstrate at every instance (in
word and deed) that God has redeemed, empowered and approved us IN CHRIST, except if we are still
disapproved outside Christ. God forbid!

The pagan ideologies of ancient antinomianism and modern New-Age-style spontaneous subjective
“spirituality”, when “eisegeted” or “read-into” the Bible (usually out of context), only confuse people
who through their cultures have espoused such unbiblical philosophies and logics from the world
around them. Pagan logics are TARES which seek to confuse one about the WHEAT of biblical principles
and keep one off-guard; they blindfold against the Truth, so that one becomes subjectively

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presumptuous and indulgently adventurous. Pagan ideologies masquerade to have link to the Bible (like
Satan did during the Temptation) to easily trap, wound, or even defeat and destroy one. We all are
prone to this infection and so must guard against it.
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2. God’s Saving Purpose began with Love and Mercy, then Law and
Grace.
It's not only Grace that is unmerited favour. Mercy and Love are also unmerited favours.

The unmerited favour of GRACE is God’s effectual power given to believers in Christ to overcome sin
(which is the true salvation from sin's bondage). Christ came to bring this saving Grace.

The unmerited favour of MERCY is God’s compassion that overlooks sin when dealing with any sinner.
This has always been there before Christ came.

The unmerited favour of LOVE is God’s concern for all humanity unaffected by their sin. This moved God
to bring saving enabling Grace to overcome sin through Christ.

THESE ARE ALL UNMERITED FAVOURS BUT EACH FAVOUR HAS ITS SPECIFIC PURPOSE AND BASIS.

Without Christ's saving Grace, God still LOVES the world despite sin and still shows MERCY overlooking
sins but only GRACE regenerates from sin and empowers to resist and overcome sin.

Grace is often misunderstood by this generation because they learn grace from the world's dictionaries
rather than from the Lord's Scriptures. The grace in word’s dictionaries is POWERLESS FAVOUR but does
not bring salvation, whereas the Grace in the Gospel is FAVOURABLE POWER that brings salvation. Here
is how the Bible explains "the Grace THAT BRINGS SALVATION" by St Paul, the Apostle of Grace himself.

Titus 2:11-12
(11) For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people.
(12) It trains us to renounce ungodly living and worldly passions so that we might live
sensible, honest, and godly lives in the present age.

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<<Back to Top>>

3. Christ’s Grace is Power for Salvation.

Without Christ’s Saving Grace, the “dead in sins” with “worthless lives” cannot become the “dead to sin”
with “worthy walk”.
The “DEAD IN SINS” (Eph 2:4),
by encountering the ENLIVENING Power of Christ’s SAVING GRACE (Rom 6:11-14; Eph 2:4-6)
is always RECREATED to become
the “DEAD UNTO SIN” (Rom 6:11),
otherwise the gift of the Saving Grace is yet to WORK EFFECTUALLY (Eph 2:10; 3:7).

Nothing is ever misunderstood the way many misunderstand Gospel Saving Grace today. In popular
modern usage, Grace is defined as any form of “unmerited favour” without specifying what the favour is
or could be, but this does not fit the biblical usage for Christ’s Saving Grace which is portrayed as “divine
gift of enabling power” that brings us salvation from the bondage of sin and victory over the power of
sin and Satan (Rom 6:1-2; 12-14; Eph 2:8-10; Tit 2:11-12).

Grace translates the Greek word “CHARIS” which originally designates any active benefit (2Cor 1:15), gift
(Eph 2:8; 2Cor 8:4), commendation (1Pet 2:19) or thanks (Luk 6:32-34; 2Cor 8:16) which a benefactor
gives to or does for a beneficiary because of the benefactor’s disposition of mercy or compassion, love
or admiration for the beneficiary of Grace (Eph 2:4-6). Therefore, Saving Grace is an offer of help born
out of the character of love and mercy, but Grace is not the character. Saving Grace is God’s provision
because of His disposition, but Grace is not a disposition.
Ephesians 2:8-10
(8) For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is THE
GIFT OF GOD:
(9) NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast.
(10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS, which
God has before ordained that we should walk in them.

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 Ephesians 3:7-8
(7) Of which I was made a minister, according to the GIFT OF THE GRACE OF GOD
GIVEN UNTO ME by the EFFECTUAL WORKING OF HIS POWER.
(8) Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is THIS GRACE GIVEN, THAT I
SHOULD PREACH among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

It is of first important to be clear that there is a biblical difference between the condoning
GRACIOUSNESS OF GOD as divine attribute or attitude or disposition to SHOW favour, love, kindness,
mercy and compassion (or deal favourably) toward sinful humanity on one hand and the converting
GRACE OF GOD for eternal salvation which is rather God’s redemptive gift GIVEN to us because of
Christ’s mediation for our endowment with divine power given to supernaturally quicken believers out
of sin into new life that is enabled to partake in the divine nature which God had originally intended for
humanity (Eph 2:4-10; 2Pet 1:2-4).

Saving Grace is not divine emotion or disposition which God feels toward us for our permission despite
our sins. Divine emotion or disposition is about God's condoning compassion and mercy and loving
kindness irrespective of whether they are in Christ or not. Divine compassion therefore is not the same
as God's converting gift of the Saving Grace in Christ which is the divine power God GIVES us to ENLIVEN
us from sinfulness and enable us live the RECREATED life of good works that fits His purpose (Eph 2:4-5,
8-10). Gospel Grace is not divine permission by which God OVERLOOKS our sins, but the effectual divine
power by which we OVERCOME our sinfulness to partake in the divine nature (Rom 6:11-14; 2Pet 1:2-4;
Jud 4).

Unlike the historic Church, the modern Church has muddled-up God’s Grace or saving power which
came only through Christ (John 1:17; Rom 5:21) with God’s Graciousness or tolerance which He has
always had for all humanity both under the Law (Psa 130:3) and outside the Law (Act 14:16-17).
Although, GOD’S GRACIOUSNESS which consists in His attributes and dispositions of love, mercy,
compassion and forbearance to CONDONE us despite our sins are all favourable for us, yet this is not the
same as the saving activity and saving gift of GOD’S GRACE in Christ working as the quickening and
regenerating power to CONVERT us into His sons. Therefore, CONDONING a sinner by the permission of
God’s Graciousness or mercy which has always worked before and outside Christ (Psa 130:3; Act 17:30)
is not the same as CONVERTING a sinner by the saving power (Eph 2:8-10; 3:7) or saving gift (Rom 3:23-
25; 5:15-18) of God’s Grace in Christ. The Saving Grace of Christ’s Gospel is divine power which God
gives believers in Christ to specially enable them become like Christ in their worship and witness.
CONDONING us to overlook our iniquities within or without Christ may be for this life but CONVERTING
us to overcome our depravity only within Christ is for this life and eternity.
Titus 2:11-12
(11) For THE GRACE OF GOD THAT BRINGS SALVATION has appeared to all men,
(12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we SHOULD LIVE
SENSIBLY, RIGHTEOUSLY, AND GODLY, IN THIS PRESENT WORLD;
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4. We need to notice that God’s Grace is misconceived in Postmodernity

times.
In recent era of postmodern counterculture which has become a globalising culture today, it has
become a popular catch phrase to say that grace means “unmerited favour”. They derive their meaning
of Grace from one of the modern dictionary meanings that has nothing to do the usage of Grace in the

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New Testament Gospel. But if the New Testament Christianity is true, and the Grace we mean is that
which belongs to the Gospel of Christ, then this modern popular “unmerited favour” definition is not
entirely correct!
 For one, the modern “unmerited favour” definition of Grace is tautology and grammatical
anomaly since favour already means something that may be unmerited.
 Moreover, the modern “unmerited favour” definition of Grace is not scriptural. Grace may be
favour but Grace does not really exclude merit else Christ would not have had any of it (Luk
2:40; John 1:14).
 Again, the modern “unmerited favour” definition of Grace does not fit the Saving Grace as we
find it in the Scriptures because the Scriptures present Saving Grace as divine power or special
enablement which God gives us for sufficient witness and true worship acceptable to Him. Such
includes patiently bearing an “unmerited suffering”! (1Pet 2:20).
 Also, the “unmerited favour” definition of Grace is modern popular error is deceptive because it
fails to say what the “favour” is all about. This has misled many to fantasize and fabricate and
speculate what they feel such favour should be for them. Consequently, they imagine that such
unmerited favour should mean license to continue in sin without eternal repercussion.
In the Apostolic Scriptures and to the Early Church the “favour” in Grace of the Gospel is the
“divine power” which it brings to enable the recipient serve God acceptably.
 However, even though Gospel Grace is available to all humans irrespective of their merit or
demerit, there are things you could do to access or obtain more enabling Grace for greater
exploits (such as humbling yourself and asking in prayer) which means that Grace could be
deserved.

Jude 1:3-4
(3) Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was
necessary for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for
the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
(4) For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this
condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into licentiousness, and denying
the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:11-15
(11) Likewise reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(12) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.
(13) Neither yield your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield
yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as
instruments of righteousness unto God.
(14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under
grace.
(15) What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God
forbid.

The Apostles did not only warn against teachers of such licentious Grace (Jud 3-4) but also made us
know that God forbids continuing in sin when under the power of Grace (Rom 6:12-14). From the time
of the Apostles (who wrote about the Saving power of Grace in the Scriptures) to the time of the
evangelical protestant Reformers (who dwelled mainly on the detailed workings of the Saving Grace for
our Conversion) and evangelical awakening Revivalists (who delved further into the detailed workings of
the Saving Grace for our Consecration), the Church has always known Saving Grace to be God’s

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extraordinary power which He freely gives (because of His love and mercy) to undeserving humanity for
our salvation. It is only the liberal and modern Revisionists who changed Grace to mean permission TO
SIN, instead of redemption FROM SIN.
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5. We need to observe what the Bible says that Saving Grace actually is.
It is dangerous to miss the power and purpose of God’s saving gift of Grace in Christ Jesus.
 Recipients of Grace who fail to apply Saving Grace effectually and fruitfully for every good
work are unbelieving and doubtful of God’s power to overcome depravity and are negligent of
the value and purpose of God’s Grace.
 Recipients of Grace who pride in their merit are ungrateful and ignorant of the stewardship of
the Grace given such that they would tend to be unaccountable and unfaithful.
 Recipients of Grace must be thankful for the immeasurable gift and confident in the sufficient
power of the Saving Grace which our trustworthy and almighty God has provide to sufficiently
save them from bankrupt depravity, death, devil and damnation in this life. Such must
therefore be committed to stewarding or dispensing the Saving Grace fruitfully for every good
work – in sanctity, in service, for warfare and for worship.
Colossians 1:10
(10) That you might walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing, being fruitful in every
good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
(16) Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, who has loved us,
and has given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through grace,
(17) Encourage your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.

Hebrews 13:20-21
(20) Now may the God of peace Who by the blood of the eternal covenant brought back
from the dead the Great Shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ,
(21) EQUIP YOU with every good thing to do his will, WORKING IN US what is
pleasing before him through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory forever. Amen.

Ordinarily, the Greeks the used word “CHARIS” to denote any THANKWORTHY BENEFIT=Grace/Favour or
THANK EVOKING GIFT=Grace or THANKFUL COMMENDATION=Thanking/Blessing (Luke 6:32-34; 17:9;
Rom 6:17; 2Cor 1:15; 1Pet 2:19) done by one to another or derived by one from another. Grace is any
activity usually motivated by the benefactor’s feelings of mercy and compassion or love and admiration
for the beneficiary of such Grace (Eph 2:4-5). For the beneficiary, the issue in receiving GRACE=CHARIS is
therefore gratitude to the benefactor not merit or demerit. For the GRACIOUS (free-giving) benefactor
the issue in giving GRACE=CHARIS is benevolence or benefit done for or gift given to the beneficiary, not
by merit or demerit. Grace=Charis also has to do with thank-worthiness (favourableness or
pleasantness) of the benefit not merit or demerit of the beneficiary.

According to all Apostolic Scriptures, the unmerited saving benefit or benevolence in the GRACE-
CHARIS of Christ is the DIVINE GIFT OF ENLIVENING-ENABLING POWER given through Christ which all
should receive thankfully and exhibit as sons of God.

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According to the Apostles who borrowed the Greek word “CHARIS” to preach Christ’s Gospel,
GRACE=CHARIS was meant by the Apostles to refer to God’s special Gift of His effectually working power
that “brings salvation” to humanity (Tit 2:11-12). God’s quickening “gift of saving grace” (Eph 2:8) is
same as the “power unto salvation” (1Pet 1:5), the “gift of royal righteousness” (Rom 5:17) and the “gift
of eternal life” (Rom 6:23). This Saving Grace is God’s effectually working redemptive power (Eph 3:7;
4:16) which through Christ regeneratively works remission, revival, and reinvigoration in the sinner’s life
to effectually save the sinner from the penalty, pollution and power of sin.

Contrary to all faulty catch-phrase definitions of “Grace” and all modern popular concepts of “Grace”
being popularized these days, the Scriptures clearly explain what “Gospel Saving Grace” peculiarly
means and does.

(a). GOD’S SAVING GRACE IS HIS SUFFICIENT POWER THAT MAKES A BELIEVER ABOUND IN EVERY
GOOD WORK.
2 Corinthians 9:8
(8) And God is able to make all GRACE ABOUND toward you; that you, always having
all sufficiency in all things, may ABOUND TO EVERY GOOD WORK:

(b). GOD’S SAVING GRACE IS WHAT MAKES EVERY BELIEVER TO RENOUNCE UNGODLINESS AND
PURSUE GODLINESS.
Titus 2:11-13
(11) For the GRACE OF GOD has appeared, bringing salvation to all people.
(12) It trains us to RENOUNCE UNGODLY LIVING and worldly passions so that WE
MIGHT LIVE SENSIBLE, honest, and godly lives in the present world
(13) as we wait for the blessed hope and the glorious appearance of our great God and
Savior, Jesus Christ.

(c). GOD’S SAVING GRACE IS HIS SAVING GIFT WHICH WORKS IN US TO RECREATE US (from our
bankrupt depravity) FOR DOING GOOD WORKS AS ORDAINED BY GOD.
Ephesians 2:8-10
(8) For BY GRACE ARE YOU SAVED through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the
gift of God:
(9) NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast.
(10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS, which
God has before ordained that we should walk in them.

(d). But, RECEIVING GOD’S SAVING GRACE INSTANTLY BRINGS US INTO POWERFUL STEWARDSHIP OF
RESPONSIBLY DISPENSING GOD’S GRACE
Ephesians 3:2, 7
(2) Surely you have heard about the RESPONSIBILITY OF ADMINISTERING [i.e.
dispensation or stewardship] GOD'S GRACE that was given to me on your behalf,
(7) I have become a servant of this gospel according to THE GIFT OF GOD'S GRACE
THAT WAS GIVEN ME BY THE WORKING OF HIS POWER.

1Corinthians 9:17
(17) For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a
STEWARDSHIP [i.e. dispensation or responsibility] of the gospel is committed unto me.

1 Corinthians 15:10

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 (10) But by THE GRACE OF GOD I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed
upon 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.

Colossians 1:25
(25) Of which I am made a minister, according to the COMMISSION [i.e. dispensation
or stewardship] of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God;

Every provision God grants to us because of His disposition of love and mercy for us is Grace but the
Saving Grace of Christ which saves us from the power of sin is God’s special provision of His Saving
Power to enable us walk with Him and work for Him acceptably.
Ephesians 1:6-9
(6) To the praise of the glory of his grace, in which he has made us accepted in the
beloved.
(7) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according
to the riches of his grace;
(8) Which he has abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
(9) Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure
which he has purposed in himself:

John Bevere defines grace thus:

"Grace is not a license to sin but an empowerment of God to enable us to be what we should".
“Grace is God’s empowerment that gives us the ability to go beyond our natural ability.”

James Ryle defines it thus,

"Grace is the empowering Presence of God enabling you to be who He created you to be, and to do
what He has called you to do."

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6. We need to learn that God’s Grace is Divine Gift to be stewarded or

dispensed with diligent accountability.
Ephesians 2:4-10
(4) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,
(5) Even when we were dead in sins, has made us alive together with Christ, (by grace you
are saved;)
(6) And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ
Jesus:
(7) That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness
toward us through Christ Jesus.
(8) For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of
God:
(9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
(10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has
before ordained that we should walk in them.

Titus 2:11-12
(11) For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

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 (12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live sensibly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Ephesians 3:7-8
(7) Of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me
by the effectual working of his power.
(8) Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should
preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

As Ephesian 2 4-10 and Tit 2:11-14 above, clearly teach in detail, Saving Grace is the saving power which
God gives us to accomplish four transformational miracles in our lives:
 First, Saving Grace is the divine enabling power God gives us to “awakens or quickens us out of
our deadness in sin to respond to the Gospel of Christ.” It is the power of Christ’s Saving Grace
that empowers us to awaken from sin and hearken to the Gospel, to turn from and sin and trust
in Christ. Great is the mystery of godliness! This is the Grace for CONVERSION. (Eph 2:4-5)
 Second, Saving Grace is the divine enabling power God which “recreates us out of our depraved
weakness and strengthens us for godly living.” This is the Grace for CONSECRATION. (Eph 2:8-
10; Tit 2:11-12)
 Third, Saving Grace is the divine power God gives us to “labour for fulfilment of our ministry to
our generation.” This is the Grace for COMMISSION. (1Cor 15:10; Eph 3:7-8)
 The fourth dimension of Grace was revealed to Paul after concerted prayer - there is the
Sufficient Grace of divine strength to confront difficulties and overcome afflictions. This is the
Grace of COMFORT. (2Cor 12:7-10)

This means that Christ’s Grace is the gift of His effectual working enablement which He gives to us (Eph
3:7; 4:7) or special commissioning/dispensation (Grk=oikonomia Eph 3:2) committed to us from God for
sufficient stewardship/dispensation (Grk=oikonomia 1Cor 9:17; Col 1:25) to live in a way acceptable to
God (Rom 15:15-16; 2Cor 3:5-6; 9:8); That is why God requires accountability from every such
steward/dispenser (Grk=oikonomos 1Cor 4:1-2; Tit 1:7; 1Pet 4:10) of His Grace. Even, what we
commonly call Spiritual Gifts (Grk=charisma) today were actually understood by the Apostles as Gifts of
Grace (Grk=charis) given to us for ministry (Rom 12:6).

From the foregoing it is also obvious that dispensation/stewardship/commission does not mean
period of an age or an era or duration of time, as Dispensationalists have tried to theorize in their
doctrines.

Saving Grace is so special that it both forbids and has no room for licentiousness and unfaithfulness.
Therefore, with every diligence we should depend on or draw strength from God’s Grace to strive and
labour (1Cor 15:10; Col 1:29) to dispense our responsibilities in accordance with the purpose and power
of God’s Grace. God’s purpose in giving us His Grace is especially for His glory and good pleasure. We are
severally and severely admonished that we must never:
 receive Grace in vain (2Cor 6:1) or
 fall from Grace (Gal 5:4) or
 fall short of Grace (Heb 12:15)
 do despite to the Spirit of Grace (Heb 10:29)
 turn the Grace of God into licentiousness (Jud 4).

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Contrary to modern misconceived speculations and growing ignorant negligence (1Cor 10:1-12), such
daring trifles with the Saving Grace of Christ exposes to very dangerous defilement (Heb 12:15; Jud 8)
and evokes very severe damnation especially if the trifler has earlier received the Saving Grace and the
Spirit of Grace (Mat 12:32; Heb 2:3; 10:26-31; 12:25; Jud 13).
Hebrews 10:28-31
(28) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
(29) OF HOW MUCH WORSE PUNISHMENT, suppose you, shall he be thought
worthy, who has TRODDEN UNDER FOOT THE SON OF GOD, and has counted the
blood of the covenant, with which he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has DONE
INSULT UNTO THE SPIRIT OF GRACE?
(30) For we know him that has said,
“Vengeance belongs unto me, I will recompense,” says the Lord.
And again, “The Lord shall judge his people.”
(31) IT IS A FEARFUL THING TO FALL INTO THE HANDS OF THE LIVING GOD.
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7. We need to take advantage of means by which God’s Grace could be

enhanced or increased.
Saving Grace is about “receiving special enablement that comes from God” not about having merit or
being unmerited because Christ Who had all the merits it could take and needed no salvation
whatsoever was also said to have received unmeasured Grace in its fullness from the Father (Luk 2:40;
John 1:14) and increased in Grace (or favour) with God and men (Luk 2:52). Besides, because Grace must
not necessarily be without merit the Apostles unanimously made the point that some requirements
enhance Grace in us:
 One, HUMILITY is a virtue that attracts MORE Grace (Jas 4:6; 1Pet 5:5).
 Two, seeking more KNOWLEDGE of Christ makes us GROW in Grace (2Pet 3:18).
 Three, asking PRAYERFULLY makes us receive SUFFICIENT Grace (2Cor 12:8-9).
 Four, edifying MINISTRATION dispenses Grace to the HEARERS (Eph 4:29).
 Five, selfless LOVE and LIBERALITY bring abundant credit of THANKFUL Grace (Luk 6:32-34; 2Cor
9:7-9) because it produces abundant THANKFUL Grace to God (2Cor 9:10-12).

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Updated December 21, 2016

by Ven. Dr. I. U. Ibeme
Copyright © PriscAquila Publishing, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
Click here for
PriscAquila Christian Resource Centre
http://priscaquila.6te.net

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