Sola Gratia * By Grace Alone

O come let us sing praises unto our Lord!

Hello dear friends ~

While spending quiet time alone with my Lord

and looking into the Scriptures, I came to learn

something wonderful that I did not know.

In Latin, Sola Gratia means "by grace alone."

Isn't that wonderful!

As I read those words "by grace alone" I began to think about Paul.

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee,

for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 2:9a) 

Believers are committed to the idea that we are saved by grace

"For by grace are ye saved through faith;

and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) 

but sometimes forget that we must live by grace as well.

Sola Gratia ~ By grace alone.

What is grace? It is God's provision for our every need when we need it.

"And of his fullness have all we received and grace for grace." (John 1:16)

The superabundance of grace that has been displayed by God

toward mankind, especially believers.

"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children

by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

To the praise and glory of his grace wherein

he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1:5-7) 

Sufficient grace, there is never a shortage of grace.

God is sufficient for our spiritual ministries (2Corinthians 3:4-6)

"And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves; but our

sufficiency is of God."

Our material needs (2Corinthians 9:8)

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; 

that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things,

may abound to every good work."

Our physical needs (2Corinthians 12:9)

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee,

for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

If God is sufficient to save us, then surely He is sufficient to keep us

and strengthen us in our times of suffering.  

God's grace is a strengthening grace.

God permits us to become weak so that we might receive His strength.

It is a continual process in a believers life.

The weaker we are as His instrument the more dearly

God's grace shines forth.

O glory to God!

Dear friends ~ whenever you are going through suffering,

spend extra time in the Word of God; 

and you can be sure God will speak to you.

God gives us His promises, not an explanation, but His promises to live on.

"My grace is sufficient for thee."

Our feelings change, but God's promises never change.

Promises generate faith, and faith strengthens hope.

Paul claimed God's promises and drew on the grace that was offered to him.

God did not change Paul's situation by removing the affliction,

but rather He gave him the amount of grace that was needed when he needed it. 

********

"Our God is the God of all grace." (Peter 5:10)

and His throne is a "throne of grace." (Hebrews 4:16)

The Word of God is "the Word of His grace." (Acts 20:32)

and the promise is that "He giveth more grace." (James 4:6)

In every aspect of our lives God is adequate for every need that we have.

The promises are right at our fingertips found in the Scriptures.

 Our responsibility is to claim them and live by them.

Sola Gratia ~ by grace alone God will build our character

so that we are more like our Savior, and all for His glory.

Precious Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace.
Cause us to claim your promises
for our every day lives

Amen. 

Joy!

~ Debbie ~