"To Timothy, my beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Timothy 1:2

The awesome love of God has bestowed His grace, mercy and peace on those who 'believe (trust in, rely on, cling to) His one and only unique Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Let's look at Scripture to see how it opens up these mighty gifts that are ours in our Savior and Lord.

GRACE -- unmerited favor! It is one of the attributes of God and is supremely revealed and given in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

The Grace of God
It is freely given:
"For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He with hold
From those who walk uprightly." Psalm 84:11

It is bestowed on sinful man:
"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)." Ephesians 2:4-5

It empowers men for service as stated in the case of the Apostle Paul:
"According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it."1 Corinthians 3:10

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 1:12, it enables men to lead a simple life:
"For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God."

It is not given for selfish use:
"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

It is promised to the humble:
".All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud But gives grace to the humble.'" 1 Peter 5:5

The Grace of Christ
It is manifested in self-sacrifice:
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9

It is sufficient for all human needs:
"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness'." 2 Corinthians 12:9

It is bestowed on all sinful men as Paul testifies in Christ's grace to him:
"Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 1:13-14

It is the source of power:
"So you, my son, be strong (strengthened inwardly) in the grace (spiritual
blessing) that is [to be fund only] in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 2:1 The Amplified Bible.

In our Fellowship we often sing:
"His grace has no measure,
His mercy no end,
His love has no boundaries known unto men; For out of the infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth and He giveth and He giveth again!"

Hopefully these few verses in today's greeting will encourage us to seek a greater understanding of God's grace. Scripture has so much more to say of grace and as we continue next time let's ask the Holy Spirit to open up the Word to us. Remember Jesus said of the Holy Spirit in John 14:26, ".He will teach you all things." So we look to Him to guide us in our search.

Thank you Father, for this unmerited favor, for Your love that pours forth on Your children; Your grace upon grace. It is beyond comprehension just how marvelous and glorious it is! And to think it was in Your heart to bestow it on sinful man. How awesome is Your love! Thank you most gracious Father.  Amen