What is Grace That Jesus Would Bestow His Abundance Upon Us - Part 641

   What is "grace" that Jesus -- our Lord God and Saviour -- would love you and I so much that He would create a plan of salvation that would bestow His abundance of mercy upon us. That our heavenly Father who created us in the beginning would willingly became man so that the veil between Him and us could be taken down. His divine plan of salvation -- decided even before the foundation of the world was formed. His love for us even though we were sinners without hope.

As the scriptures point out, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We ourselves were oft times foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving diverse lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another, to name a few. 

   But after the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He reached out to us, Indeed, He saved us by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour -- that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:3-7)

   There are similar insights into the breadth and depth of the love of our Lord God and Saviour -- His grace -- His mercy in Ephesians chapter two. Herein, we also begin to gain an understanding of the extent our Saviour was willing to go to reconcile our hearts to Jesus. The scriptures state:

   And you hath He quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins -- wherein in time past you walked according to the course [and mindset] of this world -- according to the prince of the power of the air -- the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience -- among whom we also have had our conversation in times past in the desires of the flesh and of the mind -- and thus by nature were the children of wrath.

   But even so our Lord God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace you are saved|) and hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That in the ages to come, He might show us -- [you and I] - the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

   For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. In other words, there was a time in each of our lives that we lived without Jesus. Without His hope, Without His joy and peace within our being. Without His leadership and direction.

   At the time we -- known as Gentiles -- were considered "aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise." However, because of Christ Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross, those of us who were afar off are now made nigh by His  blood -- the blood of Jesus,

   For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us, having abolished in His flesh the enmity -- even the law of commandments contained in ordinances -- for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace -- and that He -- Jesus -- might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. So that we know that through Him, we have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 

That as a consequence of the cross, we have access to the King of kings and Lord of lords. The Most High Priest Jesus -- the only name given under heaven whereby men can be saved.

   Yes, Jesus loves us. In fact, He loves us so much that He would shed His precious blood on a cross so that we might experience His love -- His peace -- and His understanding that surpasses all understanding. Indeed, why would a God who holds the universe in the palm of His hands ever care about us. But He does. Now that is grace. And Jesus wants you to experinece His grace today. Ask Jesus into your life. Stand in the offering plate.