THURSDAY February 10, 2022

The Grace of God

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:2

The church of Colosse’s congregation consisted of mostly Gentiles, but as the area had a large Jewish colony, Jewish legalism became a big problem. Judaizers taught the tradition of men and lived by the Law. They tried to convince the believers in Colossae to abide by their manmade traditions. They taught that salvation through Jesus Christ was not enough to be saved. Believers in Christ had to get circumcised and continue to offer animal sacrifices for sin. This thinking frustrates the grace of God!

During Jesus’ ministry, the scribes and Pharisees were confronted for their hypocrisy. Outwardly, they pretended to be righteous, but inwardly they were corrupt. They placed themselves in a position of authority as teachers of the Word of God. Jesus knew the scribes and Pharisees burdened God’s people with rules and regulations that caused condemnation. Yet these religious leaders did not adhere to these Laws themselves–-they did the opposite. Jesus called them vipers and warned them of the damnation of hell (Matthew 23).

Religion and tradition will serve to bring people back into bondage and not into freedom found only in Christ. We no longer live according to the Law, but live by the grace of God. Jesus came to fulfill the Law when He abolished our sins on the Cross. He came to do what the Law failed to do. It could not make men righteous. God has given us His grace. The word grace in the Greek language is charis, which means “it is a gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ.” Grace is God’s unmerited favor toward man.

Grace is not deserved; it is freely given to mankind. When a person accepts Jesus by faith, grace and peace come into their lives. It is impossible to have God’s peace until you have experienced the grace of God. Have you experienced the grace and peace of God in your life?

God often goes to the gutter to find the recipient for His grace. He lifts him out, washes him and transforms him - making him into a child of God fit for His kingdom. That is God’s grace.
~Chuck Smith~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!