What is Grace? pt 3
Grace has APPEARED to ALL

What does it mean to us that GRACE has APPEARED?

When Christ came into the world to save us through His sacrifice, GRACE APPEARED making salvation AVAILABLE. “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared” (Titus 3:4).

Without the Sacrifice of Christ, it is impossible for man to be saved, but the shed blood of Christ made it POSSIBLE for man to be saved. “When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matt 19:25-26; cf. Luke 18:27). 

False teachers will tell you to “ask Jesus into your heart” to receive His Grace (which is not found anywhere in Scripture). The Bible tells a different story. We are to PUT ON CHRIST in water baptism through faith in His Grace.  “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ (Gal 3:26-27).

Faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance, Confession, and Baptism is how we ESCAPE CORRUPTION that is in the world. “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2Peter 1:4). Then we are to continue in His Grace (Acts 13:43).

Some also teach that the GRACE of God only APPEARED to a select few individuals predetermined by God. This is the basis of Calvinism. Once again, the Scriptures teach something different. Grace APPEARS to ALL MEN (Titus 2:11).

The APPEARING of Grace provides the means of salvation, but it will not save those that reject it. Christ gave His life for our sins; this is the GRACE of God. When we obey the Gospel, we have the RIGHT to eternal life. “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Rev 22:14).

Grace has APPEARED. It was made available, making it possible for man to be saved when they faithfully put on Christ in baptism. By obeying the gospel, we escape the corruption that is in the world and anyone can do the same. When we obey the gospel, He gives us the right to the tree of life.

full bulletin here.