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            Grace is a gift from God that is received by faith when we truly believe the One giving it.  There is nothing to pay, but a faith to retain.  As the return of Christ approaches, there will be many who Jude 1:4 “change the grace of our God into a license [an excuse] for immorality.”  The true grace of God is much different than what many think. 

            False grace messages are everywhere—online; in books, or heard on radio today.  The true grace of God truly changes our heart—from rebellion and unbelief, to obedience and faithful trust.  Satan has many people distorting God’s grace, and by a wrong interpretation of God’s Word, millions of souls are deceived by excusing serious sins or remaining in unbelief. 

            We are told to Jude 1:3 “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints,” because false teachers had 4 “secretly slipped in among you,” who “change the grace of our God into a license for immorality” “denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

            God’s grace frees us from immoral sins and desires—not to continue in them.  Titus 2:14 Jesus “gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing what is right”—which is to trust Him every day to inspire faith in us, and to convert our heart to believe that His sacrifice of atonement forgives us.  He added Titus 2:15 “You must teach these things and encourage your people to do them, correcting them when necessary.”

            The apostle said Acts 13:43 “Continue in [hold fast to] the grace of God.”  The gift of God’s grace is received by faith and retained by faith.  True grace was the appearing of God’s Son Titus 2:11 who made the sacrifice to cleanse our heart from wrong desires and attitudes.

            True grace 12-13 “teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled [sober], upright and godly lives in this present [world], while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

            God’s gift of grace is received, when we trust in faith on the Blood of His Son.  We cannot earn it, but by faith receive it and enjoy its benefits.  Grace is given to believers—only!  Satan distorts God’s grace, and he has deceived millions by convincing them that they are still saved even if involved in sins.  The fate of the immoral is the lake of burning sulfur Revelation 21:8, but false doctrines do not warn about the dangers of ungodliness, worldly passions, and unscriptural desires.

            The time has come 2 Timothy 4:3 “when people will no longer listen to right teaching.  They will follow their own desires [lusts] and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear.”  The truth is Ezekiel 1 “When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies.”  Romans 8:13 “If you live according to the sinful nature, you will die.”

            Putting God’s Word into practice is evidence that God’s grace is received.  Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”  Disciples of Christ Luke 8:21 “Hear God’s word and put it into practice [do it; obey it].” It is a faith that trusts on the Blood of Christ for health and healing; peace and protection; forgiveness and forgiving others; and for everything else.  James 1:22 “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

            God is able to remove the sin nature in us, and replace it with His divine nature—but we have to want the exchange; we have to believe Him; trust Him, and follow His Word.  He promises to provide our needs from His resources in Heaven, if we will trust Him in faith by getting rid of stored assets.  He promises to protect us from harm, if we will believe Him and reject all substitutes.

            God promises to heal us when oppressed, if we will confess our sins; put our faith in the Blood of His Son, and reject the world’s prescriptions, pills, and surgical procedures.  God promises to guide us on this path, if we will trust Him each day to do it; and He promises to save us from the fate of the ungodly, if we will trust on the Atonement Blood He shed for us.

            Our sin record is cleared, when we sincerely confess our sins.  After accepting God’s grace by faith, we make a commitment to do God’s will by faith—inspired by His Spirit.  Romans 3:23-24 “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

            Acting on the Word of God by faith, is evidence that we accept the gift of God’s grace by faith.  We trust Him in faith, because Ephesians 2:8 “by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”  Grace is free, because Jesus paid for it; and it is received by faith that puts its trust on His Atonement.  Romans 4:16 “It is of faith, that it might be by grace.”

            To receive God’s gift of grace, we must be willing to forgive everyone who has ever harmed us in any way—no matter how long ago it took place.  We have to forgive them, because Jesus forgave us.  Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances [offense; complaint; quarrel] you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”  Every sin is nailed on the cross, when we believe on the shed Blood of the cross.

            Jesus became sin for us, so He could offer grace to us.  As we follow the instructions of the Word, 1 John 1:7 “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”  The gift of God’s grace is given when we believe in faith on the Blood of God’s Son.  It is possible to stray or disobey, but the Holy Spirit inspires us back to trust on God.  Hebrews 3:12 “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”

            The gift of grace is vital, so our confession to God must be sincere, and our faith in Christ without compromise.  Galatians 6:7-8 “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows.  The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” 

            Satan is out to destroy every soul, but we will be saved by grace, if we live by faith—as Abraham did James 2:22.  We stand guilty on the basis of past sins, and we cannot be righteous before God—apart from the grace of God—which is possible only by faith in God.

            Accepting God’s grace and forgiving others in the process, is crucial.  Jesus said Mark 11:25 “When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

            God’s throne of grace is approached only if we are forgiven and cleansed from sin, by believing in faith on His Blood of Atonement.  Ephesians 1:7 “It is in Him, and through the shedding of His blood, that we have our deliverance—the forgiveness of our offences—so abundant was God’s grace.”  The devil suggests we are not forgiven—but after we sincerely confess our sins to God—we definitely are forgiven.

            As His child, we have a right to ask God for anything—divine healing through faith in Jesus’ Name Acts 3:16; enough finances by trusting Him and not hinting to anyone Philippians 4:19; inner peace because of His stripes Isaiah 53:5; divine protection because of His promise Psalm 91; spiritual guidance by His Spirit James 1:5; and anything else that is part of grace—appropriated by faith.

            There are many false places of trust—plans, pills, policies, or procedures on which we can put our trust—but Jesus was definite about keeping our trust on Him.  Matthew 18:3 “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

            Far too many people, unfortunately, accept false places of trust—like depending on some type of medication for relief—instead of trusting in faith on the Savior of our soul Acts 3:16.  Millions own real estate or houses as financial assets, but Jesus clearly instructed Matthew 6:19 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth.”

            Employees depend on labor unions for improved working conditions or higher wages, instead of trusting God in faith to improve work situations, and praying in faith for a wage increase.  Luke 3:14 “Be content with your wages.”  Believers in Christ are to Colossians 3:22 “Obey your earthly [employer] in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.”

            Millions of people worldwide depend on insurance coverage for financial protection, instead of following the Word and trusting on God by faith.  Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  Millions depend on legal action to avenge wrongs, but God says Romans 12:19 “It is mine to avenge; I will repay.” All such substitutes are false places of trust; all are against the Word of God, and all are in rebellion to the will of God, because He has promised to do those things—if we will trust Him to do them.

            Abraham would have sacrificed the son he cherished, because God does not allow any idol in our heart.  James 2:22 “You notice that his faith was co-operating with his actions, and that by his actions his faith was perfected.”  Acting in faith on what God has promised is what grace is all about.  The gift of God’s Spirit enables us to understand the gift of God’s grace.

            Keeping a position of faith and trust on the Atonement Blood of Christ for every life issue, is vital.  1 Timothy 6:12 “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called.”  The fight of faith is a believing and continuing faith on the Ephesians 1:19 “incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him.”

            We all need forgiveness, so we all need to believe in faith to receive the gift of God’s grace.  Romans 4:16 “It is of faith, that it might be by grace.”  Faith just opens the door to receive His gift.