Grace

**Ephesians 2:8
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: "Many have confused themselves with the scriptures by trying to interpret the scripture with their opinion, rather than with the scriptures. Scripture must interpret scripture, we must rightly divide the word. Ephesians 2:8 is one such scripture that is often misquoted and misunderstood. Though some believe this scripture contradicts Acts 2:38, it does not; nor does it contradict John 3:3, and 3:5. So let's look at Ephesians 2:8, lets interpret it with scripture.
 For by grace....
What is grace? Well first let's examine what grace is not..
Grace is not a license to sin..

Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Romans 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Romans 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?


So what is Grace?

Grace is the divine influence of God on the heart of men..

Grace teaches..Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

The grace of God is now to all men, but that doesn't mean that all will be saved. Though God is willing that none should perish, there will still be those that choose to disobey God! Another point to made here is that this is for "whosoever will", everyone has opportunity to be saved! But it's going to be by faith in the grace of God. God's grace has placed a man of God in your life to preach you the truth of God's word, that's grace. Now what do you do with the opportunity God has given you is your choice.

Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. What id the grace of God do it gave Noah a plan of now to build a ark to save those that where willing to be saved. That takes us to faith..

By Faith
Genesis 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
Genesis 6:15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
Genesis 6:16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.

Genesis 6:22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Noah didn't just say thanks Lord for the grace, now I think I will do this my way. No, Noah built the ark by the commandment of the Lord, that's faith. Faith requires us to trust God enough to obey him, sometimes even when we don't full understand.

Today the grace of God has come to us though his word, telling us that if we will repent of our sins, be baptized in his name that he will give us the Holy Ghost. (AND YOU WILL SPEAK IN OTHER TONGUES) He afforded us the opportunity, grace has appeared unto you, what will you do? will you have faith?

There is so much more to write on this topic, hope this was an enjoyment to read! Praise God

** Note: Ephesians is written to the church at Ephesus, refer to Ephesians 1:1..to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus. 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. This epistle was written to the church, not to sinners!
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

-JC