Living in the Grace of God
We are saved by grace alone and once saved, we stand in that grace. The grace of God does not end with salvation, He is still gracious. God, through His grace, sustains me and enables me to live the way He wants me to live.
1. I am to grow in the grace of God.
2 Peter 3:18
2. God's grace strengthens me in the face of trial and hardship.
2 Timothy 2:1; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Acts 20:32
3. God's grace enables me to do what He wants me to do, living the way He wants me to live.
1 Corinthians 15:10; Romans 12:6; 2 Corinthians 9:8; 1 Peter 4:10; 2 Corinthians 8:1,6
4. God's grace is received or appropriated to my life by faith.
a. If I do something to "earn" or "merit" God's grace, it is not grace. God does not extend His grace to me because of something we do.
The faith (reliance, dependence, trust) which receives God's grace is evidenced by:
b. Turning from fleshly wisdom to God's wisdom, 2 Corinthians 1:12
c. Coming to the throne of grace, Hebrews 4:16
d. Humility which recognizes my need of God's grace, James 4:16
5. God's grace teaches me to live in a particular way, and enables me to do so.
Titus 2:11; Jude 4; Romans 6:1ff