THE EFFECTS OF GRACE.

Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord (Acts 11:23).

Luke, by the inspiration of the Spirit, explains in the verse above, how Barnabas and Paul went to visit the brethren, and they saw the grace of God. What does it mean to “See the grace of God?”

“Grace” is from the Greek word “charis”; it refers to the divine influence on the heart reflected in the life of a man.

It’s the outward expression, or the outworking of an inward divine influence in your heart. Simply put, it’s the inner working of the glory and the power of God in your life that radiates, shines, and reflects on the outside. So, what these Apostles saw was an outer reflection of the inner working of the power, and life, and nature of God in them—they saw the effects of that grace.

You only see the outworking of the grace of God. It’s like saying “We saw the winds blowing.” You really don’t see the wind; what you see are the effects of the wind. The effects could be moving objects, or the branches of a tree moving to and fro; then you can immediately decipher that it’s a strong wind. You don’t see the wind; what you see are the effects!

It’s the same way with the description in the opening verse.
The grace of God on its own can’t be seen until you see what it produces. So, the Lord impresses on your heart, through His Word and the Holy Spirit, and whatever is deposited by that influence, is seen on the outside; it shows or reveals itself on the outside. Then we can say, just like the early Church, “We saw the grace of God on them.”

That’s why it’s important to grow in grace. 2 Peter 3:18 tells us, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ….” The word “grow” is taken from the Greek word “auxano”; it means “to give increase to.” To grow in grace is to increase in the workings of the power of God in your life. And as you grow in grace, more of the glory of God shines, radiates, and is seen through you. Halleluiah!

PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for the knowledge of your Word that causes me to walk in an overflow of grace. That grace which is the power of promotion, reflects on the outside,
producing favour, beauty, goodwill, loveliness, perfections, glory and ability in my life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

DEFINITION AND OUT-WORKINGS OF GRACE

“But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ” Ephesians 4:7

”But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever”. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18

WHAT IS GRACE?

Grace is the divine influence on the heart of a man and it is reflected or expressed outwardly. In other words, it is the out-working of a divine inward influence in your heart through God’s Word and the Holy Spirit. Grace is the glory of God working in a man’s spirit.

The Greek word for grace is ‘Charis’. It beautifies the spirit and would always show on the outside. Grace functions at different levels in our life. It locates you and brings you into the good place at the right and opportune time. Some people do define Grace as “unmerited favor” but this definition is from a negative point of view and is somewhat limited.

There is such a thing as to increase in grace, to grow (Auxano). As Christians, the Bible admonishes us to grow in grace even as we grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t work against Grace in other people; acknowledge, respect and help grow it when you find it manifesting in others around you.

The Grace of God can be seen in what it produces; as much as Grace is a divine working on the inside of a man, it manifests itself on the outside of a man in diverse ways:

GRACE PRODUCES THE FOLLOWING:

1. Acceptability.
There always is something about a man/woman with Grace that attracts people to him/her. Grace singles you out; they just don’t know why they are attracted towards you. Grace has got nothing to do with one’s status, profession or gender. You can turn on grace in your life; God gives you more Grace as you put to use the Grace He already made available to you. There are levels of Grace at which different Christians function. It should be your desire to function at the highest level of Grace possible.

2. The Advantage.
Grace brings and gives you the Advantage. As a Christian, you need to ALWAYS be conscious of the Grace of God upon your life, this is what makes it work and you need to recognize that you have got grace working for you. You do not need to struggle for/with anything in your life, if you put the Grace to work, it will deliver them to you, on a platter. Hallelujah! Grace is the glory of God working in a man’s spirit and it beautifies. Only the man with Grace recognizes Grace. Never try to work against Grace in a man’s life; one who does it, fights against the Source of Grace; Deity.

3. Favour.
Grace brings you FAVOUR. Good is turned towards the man with Grace and forgiveness always knocks at his door. Even when he seems to have made great mistakes, the Grace of God speaks for him. To walk in Grace means to walk in and with divine influence. It makes you have the mentality of “if I want anything, I will get it!” You are God’s trophy, and He wants everyone in the world to know how much he loves you. He is the ‘I am’ and you are the ‘in Him’. There is no need for the struggles and the worry wrinkles. Grace is available to deliver favour to you. Favour that comes by Grace comes by divine influence. Hallelujah! All He says is “yield to my Word”.

The Scripture is laden with accounts explaining how God has given us the measure of Grace. Much more, we have a huge role to play in making sure that the purpose for the Grace is accomplished. God expects us to put his Grace to work by careful study and meditation of His Word, which is the Word of Grace.

It's our Month of Increased Grace! There's increased grace for growth; for ministration; grace to do all things. You can do more for the LORD.

"EVER-INCREASING GRACE"

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever: Amen (2 Peter 3:18).

Grace is the outward reflection of the inner workings of the power of God in your life. It's of the beauty and influence of the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God in you, producing acceptability, advantage, favour, joy, liberality, gift and pleasure. Every Christian has received grace in abundance (Roman 5:17); but the measure or degree to which it's seen and reflected through you is dependent on you.

You have the responsibility to see to it that the grace of God upon your life increases in greater measure. 2 Peter 1:2 shows you how the grace of God can be multiplied in your life; it's through the knowledge of God and the Lord Jesus: "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ." As the knowledge of God and His Word increases in your life, you'll walk in increased grace. Your testimony then becomes like that of the Apostles in the early Church: "And with great power gave the Apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all" (Acts 4:33).

The greek word translated "grow" in our opening verse is "auxano" and it means to give increase to, or enlarge. Notice that the Bible didn't say for you to pray to God for increase grace , rather it shows you how to "enlarge" or "give increase" to the grace that's already been available to you in Christ. You do this through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

The Greek word for knowledge in 2Peter 1:2 is "epignosis." It means full knowledge that transcends, mere awareness; an esoteric knowledge-a discernment or full understanding of God and of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Recognize, perceive, and become fully acquainted with God and His living Word- Jesus Christ-and you'll walk in ever-increasing grace. That way, the grace of God that brings acceptability, advantage, beauty and excellence will function in you in ever-increasing measure in Jesus name, Amen!!!

Shout "Amen".