"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
        That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found:
        Was blind, but now I see."

        "GRACE" is a marvelous word; an amazing concept! This is especially true as it relates to God. Though difficult to adequately define, it is gloriously demonstrated by the stedfast love and eternal favor that He has persistently shown toward the unlovely, corrupt, sinful and godless creatures made in His own image. The marvel of its bestowment is equalled by the wonder of its inexhaustible wealth. When sin has reached the high-water mark GRACE overflows to abundantly supply the need of each and every one who trusts in Jesus Christ - God's eternal Son. Offered freely to mankind (Titus 2:11); it is contrasted with debt, (Rom. 4:4, 16); with works of merit, (Rom. 11:6); and with the law, (Jn. 1:17; Rom. 6:14-15; Gal. 5:4).

    And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

I. WHAT IS MAN'S CONDITION BY NATURE?

        "... DEAD in trespasses and sins!" Not SICK, but DEAD! Sin numbs, paralyzes and slays the spiritual senses. Nor does this suggest death WITH CHRIST; it involves separation and alienation FROM Him because of rebellion against His holy will and purpose, (Eph. 4:17-18; Jn. 5:24-25; comp. Luke 15:24).

1. CONSIDER THE NATURE OF THEIR (AND OUR) PAST WALK.
1. It was according to the course of this present world-system, with all its godless standards and schemes, (I John 2;15-17).
1. It is an evil age in which we live, (Gal. 1:4).
2. Though the people of God live IN it, we belong to a NEW AGE - the power of which is to be manifested in our daily lives, (Rom. 14:17-18).
2. They had walked according to "the prince of the power of the air" - the leader of hostile, invisible hosts, (Eph. 6:12; I John 5:19).
1. Cancer is no less deadly because its awful work is done without serving notice of its presence.
2. The fact that it, reportedly, fans its victims to sleep with perfumed wings, while drawing away its blood and leaving it a corpse, makes the vampire no less dreadful.
3. Nor is Satan any less real and destructive because his fatal work is done without one being conscious of what he is doing.
3. Their walk had been characterized by the spirit that constantly works in lives of rebellion and disobedience, (Eph. 5:6; I Pet. 1:14; I Tim. 4:1; I Jn. 4:1-3, 6).


2. THIS PATH HAS BEEN FOLLOWED BY JEW AND GENTILE ALIKE.
1. It is one wherein an effort is made to fulfill the desires of the flesh and of the mind.
1. Some of these desires are contemptible in the sight of God, (Gal. 5:19-21; Mk. 7:20-23).
2. Others appear respectable within themselves, (Phil. 3:4-5).
3. But ALL are contrary to "the righteousness of God", (Phil. 3:7-9; Gal. 2:21; Rom. 10:3-4).
2. By nature ALL MEN are "children (deserving) of wrath" - a thought that is more fully expounded in Romans 1:28 - 2:29.
3. All men are sinners by nature and practice, (Psalm 51:5; Rom. 3:23; 5:12).

II. CONSIDER GOD'S ATTITUDE TOWARD HUMAN NEED, (vs. 4).

    4. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

        The thought of impending wrath, so fully deserved, provides a background against which God's grace stands out in all its beauty and brilliancy.

1. HIS MERCY TOWARD OUR NEED HAS BEEN VERY RICH, (2 Cor. 1:3; Titus 3:5; I Peter 1:3).


2. HIS GREAT LOVE HAS BEEN LAVISHED UPON US IN OUR HELPLESS STATE - even while we were still in our sin and rebellion! (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:6, 8, 10; I Jn. 4:10; Heb. 2:9; I Tim. 2:4-5).

III. THEN, CONSIDER THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF GOD'S GRACE, (vs. 5-6, 8-9).

    5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: ... 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

1. BY HIS FREE GRACE, GOD HAS "QUICKENED US TOGETHER WITH CHRIST", (vs. 5; Col. 2:12-13; comp. Jn. 5:20-21; 11:25-26; 14:19). "By grace ye are saved!" is a SHOUT OF TRIUMPH!


2. BY THIS SAME GRACE, HE HAS RAISED US UP (both Jew and Gentile), MAKING US TO SIT TOGETHER IN THE HEAVENLIES, IN CHRIST JESUS - exalted and blessed in HIS triumph, (1:20; Phil. 3:20; Rom. 8:37; 2 Cor. 2:14; 4:6-7).


3. THUS, HE HAS SAVED US!
1. By His grace, (2 Cor. 8:9).
2. Through the instrumentality of faith, (Acts 16:31; Jn. 3:18, 36; Rom. 4:5).
3. Nor is this OF OURSELVES; it is "not of works lest any man should boast!" (Rom. 11:6; 4:2, 5; 3:27; I Cor. 1:31).


4. BY THIS GRACE WE HAVE BEEN SET FREE:
1. From bondage to sin and Satan, Jn. 8:32, 36; Rom. 6:18, 22; 8:2; Gal. 5:1).
2. From condemnation to eternal death, (Rom. 8:1).
3. UNTO the glorious liberty of Divine Sonship, wherein we are permitted to share the abundant riches of Jesus Christ, our Lord! (Rom. 8:21; 2 Cor. 3:7-8; Gal. 5:13; James 1:25; 2:12; I Pet. 2:16).

IV. FINALLY, CONSIDER GOD'S GRAND AND GLORIOUS PURPOSE IN IT ALL, (vs. 7, 10).

    7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus: .... 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

1. GOD PURPOSES TO MAKE US PERPETUAL TROPHIES OF HIS GRACE IN AGES YET TO COME - DISPLAYING:
1. The surpassing wealth (exceeding riches) of His grace which He has bestowed upon us so freely.
2. The kindness that He has shown toward us through Christ Jesus, (Rom. 2:4; Tit. 3:4-7).
3. The glory of divine grace will be increasingly demonstrated, both TOWARD and THROUGH us in the ages yet to come.


2. MASTERPIECES OF HIS WORKMANSHIP, WE ARE TO BE HIS WORKMEN
1. Our creation "in Christ Jesus" is to the end that we may now DO "good works", (Phil. 2:12-13). This may be contrasted with the Satanic spirit that now works in the children of disobedience.
1. Let it be noted that we still have NO MERIT within ourselves; His grace alone has ENABLED us to do that which is acceptable in His sight, (Lk. 17:7-10).
2. But, "good works" ARE now POSSIBLE - through the power of the indwelling Christ! (Tit. 2:7-14; 3:1).
3. And they are highly PROFITABLE! (Tit. 3:8; Gal. 5:6; Heb. 4:11; 2 Pet. 1:1-14; Jas. 1:22-25; Jn. 14:15, 21-24; Acts 5:29-32).
2. God has "before ordained" that His people should walk in paths of holiness - bearing fruit for His glory!

        CONCLUSION: Paul wholeheartedly repudiated the idea of "good works" as the basis of salvation; yet, no one more wholeheartedly INSISTED ON THEM as the FRUIT of salvation! He viewed the call to "the fellowship of God's dear Son" (I Cor. 1:9) as a call to share His sufferings and labors (Phil. 1:29; I Pet. 2:21; I Cor. 15:58).
        Our Lord urged His disciples to "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life", (Jn. 6:27). And James, the half-brother of our Lord wrote: "Faith, if it hath not works, is DEAD, being alone ... by WORKS is FAITH PERFECTED!", (Jas. 2:17, 22).
        But there is still the echo and re-echo: "NOT OF YOURSELVES! NOT of yourselves."

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW

1. What is YOUR concept of "grace"?
2. What is the natural condition of ALL men?
3. What has characterized the walk of ALL MEN in times past?
4. Has it been the same for Jew and Gentile?
5. What is our natural relationship to God?
6. What sort of attitude has God manifested toward our spiritual need?
7. What has His grace accomplished?
8. What has been His purpose in dealing so graciously?
9. What is the relationship of our new creation, in Christ Jesus, and "good works"?
10. Can any man MERIT God's favor? or obligate Him in any way?
11. Is YOUR life characterized by the quality of LIVING that honors the Living Christ and the Heavenly Father?