A Life Of GlorySample

Live by Grace

Let’s review.

· We are to manifest the glory of God.

· To manifest God’s glory we must conform to God’s holy standard.

· Sin destroyed our ability to live up to that standard.

· God provided grace (in His Son Jesus Christ) to bring us back to a holy state.

· Having been “graced” by God we are to live in triumph.

Out of this triumphant and grace filled life we want to live pouring out this same grace on others. 

Paul shares the message of grace in the book of 1 Corinthians. This is the message by which we are saved, and by the four verbs he uses, we see the work of Christ on our behalf. He says Christ died for our sins. This means He died in our place. Our sin put Christ on the cross and His death paid the penalty for those sins. Christ was buried which is the proof of death. Christ rose on the third day. His resurrection foretold, which is now fact of His victory over our sin and death. He was seen which is the proof of His resurrection. This incredible message of grace is made possible because of Christ who gave Himself to and for us.

Since He gave Himself for us, how can we not give ourselves to Him. In the book of 1 Timothy, Paul thanks the Lord for not only enabling him but for placing him into ministry. In other words, Paul’s ministry of grace is one based in gratitude not guilt. It is a “want to” not a “have to” life. His life is now a thank you letter to the Lord. His ministry of grace also becomes a ministry of good works. In Ephesians, Paul again states our purpose. That we were created in Christ for good works, which brings us completely to our ultimate purpose. Paul tells us to do everything graciously, out of gratitude, and for the good works of manifesting the character of God. The ministry of grace is made possible by and for Christ, who is glorified when we minister grace to others. When we exhibit grace, it is for His glory and our good.

Two questions: Do I understand this incredible message of grace? Do I minister the grace I have experienced to others?