GRACE OF GOD (2)
(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. Can favor mean the same as grace?
a) It is not clear why some do not like the definition of favor for grace. However, it does have the implication that it does not matter what you do, once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your savior. Many believers know that it does matter what Christians do! We must keep the commandments. We know that "[God gives his Spirit] to those who obey Him" (Acts 5:32). So how does favor figure in? We shall clearly see. The Truth will be plainer than ever!
b) In Webster's 1994 Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary, the third definition of grace is "favor.” Its theological definition is "unmerited favor." Unmerited favor implies that there also exists favor by merit. By now, it should be abundantly clear that the correct translation of the Greek charis is favor.
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. Can favor mean the same as grace?
a) It is not clear why some do not like the definition of favor for grace. However, it does have the implication that it does not matter what you do, once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your savior. Many believers know that it does matter what Christians do! We must keep the commandments. We know that "[God gives his Spirit] to those who obey Him" (Acts 5:32). So how does favor figure in? We shall clearly see. The Truth will be plainer than ever!
b) In Webster's 1994 Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary, the third definition of grace is "favor.” Its theological definition is "unmerited favor." Unmerited favor implies that there also exists favor by merit. By now, it should be abundantly clear that the correct translation of the Greek charis is favor.
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