Kingdom Riches Through The Grace of God

The above riches in Christ ALL belong to us when we believed in Jesus as our Savior and entered into God's kingdom as God's children. Truly each one of us has been gloriously and wonderfully blessed by God.

Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING in Christ.
(Ephesians 1:3)

1. Ignorance of our riches in Christ.
Many of us do not know about or appreciate our riches in Christ. As a result, we live like miserable beggars, instead of living victoriously as sons of God. Yet there are also others who only focus on wealth & riches (which is not wrong), to the ignorance of many other even more glorious riches in Christ.

God says "My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). When we do not read God's word, we will not know what belongs to us as our inheritance in Christ. We will therefore always live below our calling. We will live defeated lives. We become poor and miserable witnesses for Jesus Christ.

This is why Paul says for the Ephesians that God would grant them the revelation of their abundance in Christ:

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the RICHES OF HIS GLORIOUS INHERITANCE in the saints, and His incomparably great power to us who believe.
(Ephesians 1:17-19)

2. Riches and grace
Also, many believers do not know how to receive these riches into their lives. They do not know that these riches have been freely given by God to us in Christ. They do not know that these riches are given by the GRACE OF GOD.

As a result, many believers cry and beg for these riches. They do this because they do not know the word of God. Because of their lack of faith, they never receive their full inheritance. They are always asking, but never receiving. What a tragedy - starved while seated at a banqueting table !!! (Psalm 23:5).

Instead, every child of God should know that all the riches of heaven already belong to us in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). They have been given to us by the GRACE OF GOD - freely give, without price. We do not have to strive and work for these riches. We just receive them by faith with thanksgiving.

3. Definition of "Grace"
The GRACE OF GOD is the blessing and favor of God given to us free of charge because of God's love for us. In other words, grace is the "unmerited or undeserved favor of God to men."

4. Our riches (salvation) all come by the grace of God
God's riches are not given to us because of our merit or good works. These blessing are not earned from God by good works. All of our salvation, from beginning to end, is due to the GRACE OF GOD.

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thought. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ even when we were dead in transgression - it is by GRACE you have been saved.
(Ephesians 2:3-5)

5. Our good works are like filty rags before God.
Our good works cannot by any salvation blessing from God. We do not deserve forgiveness of sins or eternal life. We do not deserve our daily protection, guidance and provision.

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filty rags.
(Isaiah 64:6)

For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not BY WORKS so that no one can boast.
(Ephesians 2:8-9)

6. Examples of God's grace

(a) Salvation and the gospel (good news) of Jesus
Salvation comes by God's grace. The gospel is thus called the Gospel of Grace.

No! We believe it is through the GRACE of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.
(Acts 15:11)

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the GOSPEL OF GRACE.
(Acts 20:24)

(b) All blessings

From the fullness of His (Jesus') GRACE we have all received one blessing after another.
(John 1:16)

(c) God chose us and called us because of grace

So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by GRACE.
(Romans 11:5)

But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by His GRACE ....
(Galatians 1:15)

(d) By grace we believed

On arriving, he was a great help to those who by GRACE had believed.
(Acts 18:27)

(e) Justification (made righteous) by grace

And are JUSTIFIED freely by his GRACE through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
(Romans 3:24)

(f) Forgiveness of sins

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of GOD'S GRACE.
(Ephesians 1:7)

(g) Gifts

Each one should use whatever GIFT he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's GRACE in its various forms.
(1 Peter 4:10)

But GRACE was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's GIFT.
(Ephesians 4:7)

NOTE: The word "spiritual gift" of "gift" in Greek [Charisma] in 1 Corinthians 12:1 and here in 1 Peter 4:10 is derived from the Greek work for grace [Charis].

(h) Encouragement and hope

May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who lived us and by His GRACE gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
(2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

(i) Future blessing when Jesus return

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the GRACE to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
(1 Peter 1:13)

B. God acts in grace because of His love for us
God sent his son Jesus to save us because He loves us. Because of His love for us, God not only gave us His son, but every other good thing in life (Romans 8:32). We deserved punishment for our sins and not eternal life. But because of God's love for us, he poured out His mercy and saved us through His son Jesus.

This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He LOVED us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
(1 John 4:9-10)

But God demonstrated his own LOVE for us in this: While we were still sinner, Christ died for us.
(Romans 5:6-8)

He who did not spare His only Son, but gave Him up for us all - how will He not also, along with Him, GRACIOUSLY give us ALL THINGS.
(Romans 8:32)

C. The nature of God's grace

1. God's grace is all-sufficient
By God's grace, we can receive His blessings for every area of life. Every are of need in our life is met by God's grace (e.g. health, strength, wisdom, patience, guidance, finance, etc).

But He said to me, "My GRACE is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
(2 Corinthians 12:9)

2. God's grace encompasses all men
No one is kept from receiving God's grace. God has poured out His grace on all men to be saved (John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9).

For if the many died by the trespass of the one men (Adam) how much more did GOD'S GRACE and the gift that came by the GRACE of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many.
(Romans 5:15)

3. God's grace is all-abundant
Jesus Christ our Lord declares that He has come to give life abundantly >b>(John 10:10). God's blessing are not only available in every area of life, but they always come in overflowing abundance.

For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's ABUNDANT provision of GRACE and of the fight of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
(Romans 5:17)

And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant GRACE was upon them all.
(Acts 4:33)

4. God's grace is glorious.
The glory of God comprises His presence, power and love. The grace of God, the blessings of God to us, is a reflection of his glory - a reflection of His presence, power and love to us.

He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will - to the praise of His GLORIOUS GRACE, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.
(Ephesians 1:5-6)

5. God's grace is manifold (in various forms)
God's grace is unlimited, even as He is unlimited in power and love. Because of that, we should never limit the blessings of God only to certain area. God wants to surprise us with His goodness in ways beyond our normal expectations (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Each one should use whatever gift He has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's GRACE in its various forms
(1 Peter 4:10)

Now to Him who is able to do IMMEASURABLY MORE than what we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
(Ephesians 3:20-21)

D. Receiving God's grace

1. God's grace comes by His word
God's grace - His undeserved blessing - is offered to our lives through His word, especially through His promises. All the promises of God thus contains the grace of God. God's word is thus called the word of His grace. Thus, through the word of grace, we receive our inheritance (our blessings).

Now I commit you to God and to the WORD OF HIS GRACE, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
(Acts 20:32)

For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in His GRACE gave it to Abraham through a PROMISE.
(Galatians 3:18)

2. All promises of God are conditional
All promises of God have conditions, and we must fulfill these conditions to receive the blessings contained in the promises. For example, if you want to enter the kingdom of God, you must repent.

"The time has come," Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"
(Mark 1:15)

Note:
Fulfilling these conditions does not mean that we have earned our blessing. We cannot work for these blessings. These blessings are undeserved, and cannot be bought with money or merit. Fulfilling these condition merely put us in a position of a right relationship with God so that we are in a position to receive God's blessing.

If we do not walk in obedience to the commands and conditions set by God, we put ourselves into the hands of the devil, and have separated ourselves from God's.

3. Having fulfilled the conditions of the promises, turn to God in prayer and ask for what you need
Through our blessings belongs to us in Christ, God nevertheless wants us to turn to Him everyday in prayer (Matthew 6:11) to ask Him for the portion that we need. No blessing is automatic. We must ask God for any blessing we need specifically, and receive it by faith before we can see that blessing manifest in our life. His throne is a throne of mercy and grace - of a abundant, undeserved blessings for all in need.

Let us then approach the throne of GRACE with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find GRACE to help us in our time of need.
(Hebrews 4:16)

I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name
(John 16:23)

4. Receive God's grace (God's blessing) by faith
It is by faith that we possess the riches that we have asked God for.
E.g. The grace of being made righteous (justified) is received through faith.

Therefore, since we have been justified THROUGH FAITH, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this GRACE in which we now stand.
(Romans 4:16)

Therefore, the promise comes BY FAITH, so that it may be by GRACE and may be guaranteed to all of Abraham's offspring.
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Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, BELIEVE that you have received it, and it will be yours.
(Mark 11:24)

In order to have faith to receive God's blessing, we must receive the word of grace into our spirit, through hearing and hearing the word of grace (the promises).

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(Romans 10:17)

E. The believer's attitude and response to God's grace

1. Grow in the grace of the Lord God want us to grow in His grace - in His riches for our life. He wants us to possess more and more of His blessings onto our lives everyday. A defeated Christian life is not a good testimony to the power and love of Jesus.

But grow in the GRACE and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forevermore! Amen.
(2 Peter 3:18)

2. Be strong in the grace of the Lord Know your blessings, and walk in them as much as possible. Let every blessing be expressed fully in your life.

You then, my son, be STRONG in the GRACE that is in Christ Jesus.
(2 Timothy 2:1)

3. Speak words of grace
God's words carry His grace. Our words likewise carry God's grace - God's blessings to others. God wants us to be like Him, and speak the words and promises of God that will build up others.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister GRACE to the hearers.
(Ephesians 4:29)

The Bible teaches us that we must not depend on these rituals (the Law) to earn God's blessings. The reason is that if we try to do so, we can never fulfill the whole law, and instead of earning God's blessings, we come under a curse.

I do not set aside the GRACE of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing.
(Galatians 2:21)

All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the book of the Law."
(Galatians 3:10)

Clearly on one is justified before God by the law, because "The righteous shall live by faith." The law is not based on faith.
(Galatians 3:11-12)

If we try to live by law, we have fallen away from the grace of God.

You who are trying to be JUSTIFIED BY LAW have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from GRACE.
(Galatians 5:4)

In the Dark Ages (500 - 1500 A.D.), the Church taught salvation by works and rituals, e.g. indulgences, pilgrimages, high mass, low mass, veneration of the relics of the saints, etc. Such works can never bring salvation or the blessings of God.

5. Do not abuse the grace of God.
Because we are saved by God's grace, many take lightly the command of God to live holy lives, thinking that they can sin as they like, believing that God will always forgive them by His grace. This is a wrong attitude for a son of God to take. The grace of God does not give us a license to sin.

For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the GRACE OF OUR GOD into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
(Jude 4)

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that GRACE may increase? By no means! We died to sin, how can we live in it any longer?
(Romans 6:1-2)

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under GRACE? By no means!
(Romans 6:15)

6. All the glory in our life, our character, our ministry, belong to God
Since every good thing that we have received and every good work that we have done is due to the GRACE OF GOD, all glory must go to Him. No one should ever boast before God. All that we have, all that we are, have come from his grace alone. We should always give Him all the glory.

For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works so that no one can boast.
(Ephesians 2:8-9)

But grow in the GRACE and knowledge of our Lor and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be GLORY both now and forevermore! Amen.
(2 Peer 3:18)

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering GOD'S GRACE in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. if anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. TO HIM BE THE GLORY and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
(1 Peter 4:10-11)

Your thought:

1. Are there area of your life in which you are not enjoying God's grace?

2. If not, why not?

• Is it because you do not know God's promises for that area of life? (IGNORANCE)
  
• Is it because you have not built up faith by constant meditation on these promises? (LACK OF FAITH; DOUBT & FEAR)
  
• Is it because you have not met the conditions set by God for the fulfillment of the promises? (SIN)
  
• Is it because you are expecting God to bless you because of your religious rituals? (LEGALISM)
  
• Is it because you give up easily before the blessing is manifested? (IMPATIENCE)