GRACE OF GOD (1)
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) What is grace? Everybody talks about "grace," they sing songs about "amazing grace," they know grace and truth came through Jesus Christ, but few can explain what it is! Is grace the freedom to do as we wish?
i) "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace" (Romans 6:14)
b) When Paul wrote these words, he did not use the 1500 A.D. word "grace" found in the King James Version Bible but the Greek word charis. God saves us by this charis. Since this is the mode of a Christian's salvation, it is of paramount importance. Since it is of paramount importance to our salvation, the god of confusion (Satan) is trying his best to confuse and hide the true meaning of charis!
c) In 1611, the King James translation of the scriptures use of the word "gay" had a very different meaning than it does today. The words "gay clothing" as James 2:3 mentions would have a different meaning in today's world. Words sometimes change meaning in usage through the years. The same thing has happened to the English word "grace."
d) Grace versus works has been an ongoing war of words in Christendom! Grace has been "spiritualized" away and often interpreted as abolishing God’s law. Is this belief correct? Every Christian ought to know what grace is! We cannot grow in grace as Jesus did, and as we are commanded (2Peter 3:18) unless we know clearly what it is.
i) "But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. . . " (2Peter 3:18)
1. Did Jesus grow in grace?
a) The scriptures say Jesus grew in charis (Luke 2:52). The word charis here is translated "favor." Many marginal notes show "grace" as the alternate translation. If charis is unmerited pardon, as some have believed, how could Jesus, who never sinned, grow in unmerited pardon? The translation here (Luke 2:52) of "favor" is obviously the correct one. It is easy to understand that Jesus grew in favor with God and man. In Luke 4:22 the people were amazed at the gracious (favorable to men) words which proceeded out of Jesus' mouth. Here the Greek word for gracious is charis.
b) In Acts 2:46-47 we find the disciples:
i) " . . . having charis with all the people".
c) In Acts 7:10 we find God gave Joseph charis in the sight of Pharaoh. The King James Version Bible has translated charis as "favor" here. In other places we find charis translated favor (Acts 25:3, Luke 1:30, Acts 7:46). Favor is the obvious meaning.
The End ...
0. Introductiona) What is grace? Everybody talks about "grace," they sing songs about "amazing grace," they know grace and truth came through Jesus Christ, but few can explain what it is! Is grace the freedom to do as we wish?
i) "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace" (Romans 6:14)
b) When Paul wrote these words, he did not use the 1500 A.D. word "grace" found in the King James Version Bible but the Greek word charis. God saves us by this charis. Since this is the mode of a Christian's salvation, it is of paramount importance. Since it is of paramount importance to our salvation, the god of confusion (Satan) is trying his best to confuse and hide the true meaning of charis!
c) In 1611, the King James translation of the scriptures use of the word "gay" had a very different meaning than it does today. The words "gay clothing" as James 2:3 mentions would have a different meaning in today's world. Words sometimes change meaning in usage through the years. The same thing has happened to the English word "grace."
d) Grace versus works has been an ongoing war of words in Christendom! Grace has been "spiritualized" away and often interpreted as abolishing God’s law. Is this belief correct? Every Christian ought to know what grace is! We cannot grow in grace as Jesus did, and as we are commanded (2Peter 3:18) unless we know clearly what it is.
i) "But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. . . " (2Peter 3:18)
1. Did Jesus grow in grace?
a) The scriptures say Jesus grew in charis (Luke 2:52). The word charis here is translated "favor." Many marginal notes show "grace" as the alternate translation. If charis is unmerited pardon, as some have believed, how could Jesus, who never sinned, grow in unmerited pardon? The translation here (Luke 2:52) of "favor" is obviously the correct one. It is easy to understand that Jesus grew in favor with God and man. In Luke 4:22 the people were amazed at the gracious (favorable to men) words which proceeded out of Jesus' mouth. Here the Greek word for gracious is charis.
b) In Acts 2:46-47 we find the disciples:
i) " . . . having charis with all the people".
c) In Acts 7:10 we find God gave Joseph charis in the sight of Pharaoh. The King James Version Bible has translated charis as "favor" here. In other places we find charis translated favor (Acts 25:3, Luke 1:30, Acts 7:46). Favor is the obvious meaning.
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