THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 13:14

Key Verse: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” — 2 Corinthians 13:14

Supporting Texts: John 1:14-17; Romans 3:23-24; Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Corinthians 8:9; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Titus 2:11-12; Hebrews 4:16

Description: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is God's undeserved favour revealed through Christ, bringing salvation, forgiveness, strength, transformation, and divine empowerment to everyone who believes.

INTRODUCTION

Paul concluded his second letter to the Corinthians with a powerful apostolic blessing: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all.” The first expression of this blessing points our attention to the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace is at the heart of the gospel because what humanity could never accomplish through human effort, God accomplished through Jesus Christ.

Grace means God's undeserved favour and generous provision toward people who cannot earn His acceptance by their own merit. We were sinners who needed forgiveness, strangers who needed reconciliation, and helpless people who needed salvation. Through Christ, God provided what we could never provide for ourselves. Grace does not ignore sin; it provides the answer to sin through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

The grace of Christ is not only for the moment of salvation. It is a continuing supply for the believer's entire Christian journey. We need grace to stand, grace to overcome temptation, grace to endure trials, grace to serve God, grace to forgive, grace to grow spiritually, and grace to finish our assignment. Therefore, every believer must learn to live daily under the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. UNDERSTAND THE SOURCE OF CHRIST'S GRACE

The grace we receive through Christ originates from God's loving character and His redemptive purpose.

a. Grace Came Through Jesus Christ (John 1:17) — The law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

b. Grace Is Rooted In God's Love (Ephesians 2:4-5) — God, because of His great love and mercy, made us alive together with Christ.

c. Grace Is God's Gift (Romans 3:23-24) — Though all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory, believers are justified freely by His grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus.

d. Grace Is Available To All Who Believe (Romans 5:1-2) — Through faith in Christ, believers have access into the grace in which they stand.

Biblical Example: Paul received extraordinary grace from Christ. Though he had persecuted the church, God's grace transformed him into an apostle and servant of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:9-10).

2. RECEIVE THE SAVING GRACE OF CHRIST

The first and greatest expression of Christ's grace is salvation.

a. Salvation Is By Grace Through Faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) — Salvation is God's gift and cannot be earned through human works.

b. Grace Provides Redemption (Ephesians 1:7) — Through Christ's blood, believers receive redemption and forgiveness of sins according to the riches of God's grace.

c. Grace Justifies The Sinner (Romans 3:24) — God declares believers righteous freely by His grace through the redemption accomplished by Christ.

d. Grace Gives New Life (2 Corinthians 5:17) — Those who come to Christ become new creations because of the transforming work of God.

Biblical Example: The thief on the cross received saving grace at the very end of his earthly life when he believed in Jesus and was promised paradise (Luke 23:39-43).

3. EXPERIENCE GRACE FOR FORGIVENESS AND RESTORATION

Christ's grace does not abandon believers when they fail. It provides a pathway to repentance, forgiveness, and restoration.

a. Confess Your Sins To God (1 John 1:9) — God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse those who confess their sins.

b. Receive Mercy Through Christ (Hebrews 4:16) — Believers can approach God's throne boldly to receive mercy and find grace in times of need.

c. Do Not Remain In Condemnation (Romans 8:1) — Those who are in Christ Jesus are no longer under condemnation.

d. Allow Grace To Restore You (John 21:15-17) — Jesus restored Peter after his denial and gave him renewed responsibility in ministry.

Biblical Example: Peter denied Jesus three times, yet Christ met him after the resurrection, restored him, and recommissioned him to care for God's people (John 21:15-17).

4. DEPEND ON GRACE IN TIMES OF WEAKNESS

Human strength has limits, but Christ's grace is sufficient for every believer.

a. Christ's Grace Is Sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9) — Jesus told Paul that His grace was sufficient and that His strength was made perfect in weakness.

b. Grace Gives Strength For Trials (Isaiah 40:29) — God gives power to those who are weak and increases strength to those who have no might.

c. Grace Helps You Stand (Romans 5:2) — Through Christ we stand in grace rather than depending upon our own strength.

d. Grace Enables Perseverance (Hebrews 10:36) — Believers need patience and endurance to continue faithfully until God's promises are fulfilled.

Biblical Example: Paul endured imprisonment, persecution, opposition, and hardship because Christ's grace continually strengthened him to continue his apostolic assignment (2 Corinthians 11:23-28; 12:9-10).

5. LET CHRIST'S GRACE TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE

Grace does not give permission to remain in sin. It teaches and empowers us to live differently.

a. Grace Teaches Holiness (Titus 2:11-12) — God's grace teaches believers to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live soberly, righteously, and godly.

b. Grace Produces Humility (James 4:6) — God gives more grace to the humble, while pride places a person in opposition to God's working.

c. Grace Produces Spiritual Growth (2 Peter 3:18) — Believers are called to grow continually in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

d. Grace Changes Our Character (Galatians 2:20) — The life of Christ becomes increasingly visible in believers as they surrender themselves to Him.

Biblical Example: Zacchaeus encountered the grace of Christ and demonstrated genuine transformation by making restitution and changing his approach to wealth and people (Luke 19:1-10).

6. WALK IN GRACE TOWARD OTHER PEOPLE

Those who have received Christ's grace are called to extend grace to others.

a. Forgive As Christ Forgave You (Colossians 3:13) — Believers should forgive others because they themselves have received forgiveness from Christ.

b. Speak Graciously (Colossians 4:6) — Our conversations should be gracious, wise, and helpful to those who hear us.

c. Show Mercy (Luke 6:36) — Jesus calls His followers to be merciful as their heavenly Father is merciful.

d. Restore The Fallen Gently (Galatians 6:1) — Those who fall should be restored with gentleness rather than treated with pride or cruelty.

Biblical Example: The Good Samaritan showed practical mercy to a wounded man, demonstrating how God's people should respond compassionately to those in need (Luke 10:30-37).

7. SERVE GOD THROUGH CHRIST'S GRACE

Grace does not make believers passive; it empowers them to serve.

a. Grace Gives Spiritual Gifts (Romans 12:6) — Believers have different gifts according to the grace God has given them.

b. Grace Enables Labour (1 Corinthians 15:10) — Paul recognised that his ministry labour was possible because God's grace was working through him.

c. Grace Gives Boldness (Acts 4:33) — The apostles proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus with great power, and great grace was upon them.

d. Grace Helps Us Fulfil Our Calling (Acts 20:24) — Paul valued finishing the ministry he received from Christ above preserving his own comfort.

Biblical Example: Apollos served powerfully because God used his knowledge, zeal, and teaching ability to strengthen believers and advance the gospel (Acts 18:24-28).

8. CONTINUE GROWING IN THE GRACE OF CHRIST

Grace is not something we receive once and then forget. We are called to continue growing in it throughout our Christian journey.

a. Grow In Grace And Knowledge (2 Peter 3:18) — Spiritual maturity requires continual growth in our understanding and experience of Christ.

b. Come To God For Fresh Grace (Hebrews 4:16) — God's throne remains a place where believers can continually receive mercy and grace for their needs.

c. Abound In God's Grace (2 Corinthians 9:8) — God is able to make grace abound so that believers have sufficiency for every good work.

d. Remain Established In Grace (Hebrews 13:9) — Believers should allow God's grace to establish their hearts rather than being carried away by teachings that do not profit spiritually.

Biblical Example: The early church continued to grow in God's grace as the believers remained devoted to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, prayer, and the work of the gospel (Acts 2:42-47).

CONCLUSION

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation and sustaining power of the Christian life. We are saved by grace, forgiven by grace, strengthened by grace, transformed by grace, equipped by grace, and enabled to serve by grace. What God has called us to do cannot be accomplished successfully through human ability alone; we must continually depend upon Christ.

Therefore, do not run away from God when you are weak or have failed. Come boldly to the throne of grace. Receive His mercy, depend upon His strength, allow His grace to transform your character, and extend that same grace to others. As you continue to grow in the grace of Christ, you shall become stronger in faith, fruitful in service, steadfast in trials, and effective in fulfilling God's purpose for your life.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that has brought salvation into my life, in Jesus name.

2. Lord Jesus, let Your grace continually speak for me and sustain me throughout my Christian journey, in Jesus name.

3. Father, let Your grace bring healing and restoration to every area of my life that has been damaged by sin and failure, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, let Your grace be sufficient for me in every weakness, trial, and difficult situation, in Jesus name.

5. Father, deliver me from dependence on human strength and teach me to rely completely upon Your grace, in Jesus name.

6. Lord Jesus, let Your grace transform my character and make me increasingly like You, in Jesus name.

7. Father, give me grace to forgive, love, and show mercy to everyone around me, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, release fresh grace upon my ministry, family, work, and every assignment You have committed into my hands, in Jesus name.

9. Father, help me to grow continually in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.

10. Lord Jesus, let Your grace carry me to the fulfilment of my divine purpose and help me finish my race faithfully, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ shall continually rest upon your life.

2. You shall not be stranded because the grace of Christ shall make a way for you.

3. Where your natural strength ends, the grace of God shall sustain you.

4. Every weakness that has limited your progress shall become an opportunity for Christ's strength to be revealed in you.

5. You shall receive fresh grace for every assignment, responsibility, and opportunity God brings into your life.

6. The grace of Christ shall preserve you from falling and establish you firmly in the faith.

7. You shall grow in holiness, wisdom, spiritual maturity, and Christlike character.

8. The grace of God shall empower your ministry, strengthen your family, and establish the work of your hands.

9. You shall become a channel of grace, mercy, forgiveness, and blessing to others.

10. From this day forward, you shall live under the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, overcome every limitation by His strength, fulfil your divine assignment, and finish your race successfully, in Jesus name.