By Grace are we Saved

In the scripture I gave yesterday, the one about being transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may, “prove what is good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)  Paul goes on to say, “Through the grace given unto me to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think, soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3)  He goes on to talk about how we are many members in body, but we don’t all have the same office. “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith.” (Romans 12: 4-6)  

By observation we know that we were each born with different personalities and talents. Some were born with a love of music and bless us in singing praises to God. Some of us are healers and nurturers who become parents, teachers, nurses and doctors. Some are builders and so on.  Tho here he is talking about the organization of the church. He is specifically talking about prophets, seventy (Luke 10: 1 & 17) priest, deacons, preachers, teachers and so on. But we can apply the concept to each of ourselves.

  I got to thinking about this word grace. What does it mean?  It is obviously a gift from God but he uses the word grace and gifts in the same sentence so here is what my bible dictionary says.

Grace is divine means of help, or strength given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ. Through the grace of the Lord, through faith in the atonement in the Lord Jesus Christ we repent of our sins (accept the atonement of Christ and get rid of our sin) we receive strength and assistance in good works. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold of eternal life and exaltation beyond their own abilities. Hence it is ”by grace ye are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves.” (Ephesians 2:8)