*~THE EFFICACY OF GRACE~*By R. Hanna, Pastor

*~THE EFFICACY OF GRACE~*
*By R. Hanna, Pastor*
*
EPHESIANS 2:8-9
"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"
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men"
(Titus 2:11 ). "We see Jesus, Who was made (for a little time) lower
than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and
honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every
man"(Hebrews 2:9). "(Christ), being in the form of God, thought it not
robbery to be equal with God but made himself of no reputation, and took
upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And
being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient
unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians2: 6-8).
The Lord God Almighty Himself suffered the ignominious experience of
crucifixion; for Jesus Christ is the incarnation of God-- "Who hath
saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works,
but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ
Jesus before the world began" (2 Tim 1:9).
Efficacious grace! The Person in who we are quickened and sustained, is
very God! Note our final expectation: "(We are) looking for that blessed
hope, and the glorious appearing of THE GREAT GOD AND OUR SAVIOUR JESUS
CHRIST; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all
iniquity (Titus 2:13-14). We look to no one else, neither to ritual or
ceremony for our salvation--nor to any future redemptive work. "For BY
GRACE ARE YE SAVED through faith; and that not of your-selves: it is the
gift of God!"

*THOUGHT TO PONDER ON THIS WEEK*
*
In waiting upon God, the first thought is of the God upon whom we wait.
We enter His presence and feel we need just to be quiet, so that He, as
God, can over shadow us with Himself. Just be still before Him, and
allow His Holy Spirit to waken and stir up in your soul the child like
disposition of absolute dependence and confident expectation. Wait upon
God as a Living Being, as the Living God, who notices you and is
longing to fill you with His salvation. Wait on God till you know you
have met Him; prayer will then become so different.-- Andrew Murray