GRACE AS FREE UNMERITED LOVE AND FAVOR OF GOD

Free things or items are obtained at no cost. One does not use any means or money to purchase a free item. All one needs to do is just to accept or receive that which has been made available for free. In this regard, free unmerited love and favor of God is meant for all sinners to come to Christ.
One may be wondering how precious things such as love and favor of God could be given out for free. This is not far-fetched as it written in John 3:16 (KJV) – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”.
The foregoing scripture portrays the free aspect of the love and favor of God for all. This in specific terms is captured by the two words whosoever and believeth. Whosoever in this context speaks to the fact that status in terms of economic or social or religious or education, location, ethnic background etc. are not the yardstick to access the love and favor of God. To believe in something does not require money. It only requires ones heart.
The unmerited aspect of the definition of grace is well spelt out in Romans 5:8 (KJV) – “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”. In simple or plain words, sinners are not supposed to merit the love and favor of God. This is because their sins have alienated them from God.
The two scriptures (John 3:16 and Romans 5:8) put together defines grace as free unmerited love and favor of God. This definition is applicable to only sinners. In other words grace to a sinner is free unmerited love and favor of God but to a believer, grace is free merited love and favor of God.
There are several reasons why grace to a believer is a free merited love and favor of God and these reasons are well spelt out in the scriptures. One of these reasons is that believers have been adopted to be the sons/daughters of God (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5 and Ephesians 1:5). God as a father to believers owes it as a responsibility to love and favor his children. In the light of this reason, children of God merit His love and favor.
In as much as a believer merits the love and favor of God, it behooves believers to act responsibly for the love and favor of God and not to abuse it. One vital thing believers cannot ignore is the fact that wrong definition of grace leads to abuse of grace. The implication of wrong definition of grace is that it accommodates sin (irresponsible behavior). A typical example is when a believer sees grace as unmerited love and favor of God and for that matter irresponsible behaviors are allowed under grace. The mainstay of these irresponsible behaviors is that, because one does not work (unmerited) for it and also the more the irresponsible behavior the more grace abound (Romans 5:20).
The unmerited aspect of the definition of grace only pertains to the sinners in that it gives them access into the kingdom of God. There after assuming a son or daughter role (entry into kingdom) one is expected to respect the free love and favor of God and behave responsibly.
In summing up, I want to get anyone who reads this article and is caught in the misconception that under grace sin is allowed to repent and behave responsibly. God bless.

GRACE IN THE EYES OF THE SCRIPTURES – I

There are several definitions and explanations of grace in the Christian fraternity. Some of these definitions have their sources from the scriptures and by extension from the Spirit of God. There are some of these definitions which are subtly different from the true definitions. In the attempt to bring some level of clarity in the various forms of definitions of grace, this article will bring to the fore grace as defined by the scriptures.
Grace in the eyes of the scriptures simply means definition of grace according to the manner or the context in which the word (grace) was used in chapters or verses of the bible.
Rom 11:5 – 7: Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

In the foregoing scripture, grace is defined as the free unmerited love and favor of God. Works has to do with events and activities that men deem fit to bring salvation onto them. Work such as doing good to people, helping the needy, resolving conflicts, adhering strictly to religious instructions such as no wearing of earrings, no watching of TV, no wearing of pair of trousers by women etc.
It is only at this point in the scripture, grace can be referred to as unmerited due to the fact this is the grace that brings salvation to a sinner. When one becomes a believer or son or daughter of God, grace now becomes merited. In other words, God who is our father makes available love and favor in order for the sons and the daughters to function well in His kingdom. Functioning well has to do with doing His pleasure.
Love and favor from God are two critical tools that aid men and women to fulfill the pleasures and the desires of giver of love and favor.