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"That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."
- Romans 5:21
Paul made an amazing statement that we sometimes miss. He told young Timothy,"Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 2:1). The Greek word for "strong" is ENDONAMAO. Its root is the word DYNAMIS, which has to do with the inherit power of God. It is where we get the word dynamite - which is explosive power that changes the dynamics of things. EN is a prepositional word that means to be "in" something. It actually has to do with an inherent place where one is affixed, implanted or intimately connected. What Paul was literally saying to this young minister Timothy, is a key that will launch every one of us as believers - propelling us into a deeper, more penetrating life with Christ.
To become "strong" in the grace that is in Christ means that we are to plant ourselves in the power of grace. In other words, grace must come to reign in our lives. It must have the preeminence to rule every area of our life. It must overshadow every step. It must influence us to the point where it is in control. We have to come to that place where we answer only to grace and what it has come to do in us.
There are three main aspects to God's grace that each carries a significant part in bringing us into the full measure of the stature of Christ. The first is what most folks understand. It is the unmerited, undeserved favor of God. Grace is something we cannot earn. There is nothing we can do to impress God. We aren't capable of measuring up to the standard of God's favor. To simply put it, we weren't built to be able to earn his benevolent love. It is all his doing. We have to learn to accept the fact that we are accepted, not based on anything we have done but based upon what he has done.
The second truth concerning grace is it is the divine influence of God upon our heart that brings us to the place where we become established in the things of God. I think each of us understands that without God's grace we would falter and fail in so many areas. But because we have his influence accompanying us in our everyday living, we have available the help and strength we need to live the life that God desires us to live. This divine influence has enhancing and enriching capabilities. It not only turns a sinner into a saint, but it can improve, promote, advance, uphold, and carry us as believers. You talk about elevating us to a higher standard of living! That is the power that grace has within it to change us and transform us, in Christ.
The third truth that we need to understand when it comes to grace is that it is the empowerment of God to do what we cannot do on our own. Grace, when received in sufficient measure will take you beyond yourself. Over in Acts chapter four, after Peter and John were released from being questioned about the miracle of the man at the gate called Beautiful, they went to their own company and prayed as a whole unit. God so shook the place in that moment that a supernatural surge of power fell upon each of them. Not only did this power enable the apostles to experience a new anointing, but it tells us that
"great grace was upon them all!"(Acts 4:33).
Here is what is so vital that we see.The word "great" has two very significant meanings.One has to do with intensity and its degrees.In other words, grace grows in its intensity to the point where it reaches a place of empowerment that carries us beyond ourselves.It is like heating water.There comes a point in the process where it begins to boil.That critical point, where it reaches a level of intensity and transforms what appears placid into an aggressive stirring of motion is how grace works.
As we reach new levels of grace, we become stirred to go beyond the natural into the power of the supernatural.
The second meaning conveys the idea of that which is highly esteemed for its importance. When we say,
"That was a great message," we mean it had tremendous relevancy. When these disciples experienced
"great grace"they entered into a supernatural empowerment that lifted them beyond their capabilities and it registered within them the value and importance it held in their lives.
We as believers must come to the place where we allow "great" grace to come upon us and overshadow us. This is what it means for grace to reign! When it begins to reign just know that your life will never be the same again. You will be changed and transformed by the power of God's grace.
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