By Evangelist Vivian L. Dillard

Grace is the divine favor of God. Having been mentioned 166 times in various verses in the bible, we can ascertain a clear picture of the workings of grace in the 'Invisible Church.'

The dispensation of grace is a moment in eternity when a door of opportunity is open to the Gentiles to receive salvation from their sins and to inherit the kingdom of God (Eph. 3.1-6). By the same power of grace, God would transform Paul, an Israelite and former persecutor of the church, to be an Apostle to the Gentiles (1 Cor. 15.8-10, Eph. 3.7).

The beauty of grace is seen through redemption. God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself. Charging their trespasses to their redeemer and committing to others the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5.19-21).

The purpose of grace is to make an open show of God's kindness to a people who were once aliens and enemies of God (Eph. 2.7 &11-13). We have access to this grace by faith, which comes through hearing the preached gospel (Ro. 10.17).

We receive grace through faith and obedience to the gospel of God (Ro. 1.1-5). Salvation came by grace and is manifested through the believer's faith in its operation (Ro. 5.15, Col. 2.12). The sin of Adam had positioned all under sin, even those who did not sin like Adam (Ro. 5.12-14). The righteousness of God's law demanded death for sin, but his grace did much more. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ (John 1.17, 1 Pet. 1.13). The second man Adam (Christ) came into the world and fulfilled all the law, thereby redeeming us from the bondage of the first Adam. By one man's offense death reigned; much more they which receive abundance of grace shall reign in life by Jesus Christ (Ro. 5.17).

Since the law made nothing perfect, the Gift of Grace was necessary. The law was a schoolmaster leading men to Christ, that all might be justified by faith (Gal. 3.24-25, Heb. 7.19). The law summons man, judges him, declares him guilty and gives him a death sentence. Grace calls his elect (1 Pet. 2.9-10), covers them with Jesus Christ (Gal. 3.23-27), counts him righteous (Is. 61.10) and releases him unto life eternal (Ro. 5.21).

The comparison of the 'Law of Moses' and the 'grace and truth of Jesus Christ' is a very important and vast study. However, where grace is concerned there is no contest and GRACE REIGNS; for what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh (Ro. 8.3).

Grace freely justifies us, or clears us from the guilt of sin (Ro. 3:24). The law showed man his sin, but didn't give him power to overcome sin. No works of the law (sacrifices and offerings) could absolve us from sin. If the works of the law were counted, we would be in debt (Ro. 4.4). Jesus Christ paid it all. He died once, and for all (Heb. 10.14-17); satisfying the legal requirements of redemption and eternally perfected them that are sanctified (Ro. 3.25).

We are saved by grace, through faith; and made heirs and joint heirs with Christ (Tit. 3.7, Ro. 8.17). For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that (grace and faith) not of yourselves: it is the gift of God (Eph. 2.8). For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (Tit. 2.11) and they shall inherit eternal life (Ro. 5.15).

As we did nothing to be guilty of SIN and DEATH, we cannot earn LIFE and PEACE (Ro. 5.18-19). But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

Through grace the Gentiles are made partakers of the divine nature of Jesus Christ and spiritual things. They are given an everlasting consolation and a good hope as an anchor for the soul (2 Thess. 2.16, Heb. 6.19).

Their are many shadows of the 'gift of grace' to the church; Noah, Abraham, Lot, Ruth, and Paul (the Apostle) are just a few testimonies of God's kindness to men, Ruth being a favorite. However a great shadow of grace is reflected in the story of Mephibosheth (2 Sam. 9.1-13). In review, David (God) sought someone of the house of Saul (Adam) that he might show kindness to (grace) for Jonathan's (Jesus) sake (Eph. 4.32). David called out Mephibosheth (the church), who was hidden in Lodebar (the world, not in the fold). Mephibosheth was transferred (translated) to Jerusalem to continually eat at the king's table (kingdom of God) as one of his sons (son of God). The fact that he remained lame on both his feet shows it wasn't anything Mephibosheth had done to be called a son; he acknowledged his own helplessness; It was the kindness of David that made Mephibosheth an heir; he was freely given all things (Ro. 8.32-34).

The scripture concludes that God putting on flesh was a divine act of grace. His own arm brought salvation. Jesus is the kindness that God displayed on the cross at Calvary. It is through faith in Him that we are saved and we offer our all: