Grace

I've been thinking about grace, God's grace. The first thing that came to mind is that it's God’s grace that gives us eternal life. It isn't that we have, or even could, do anything to deserve it, but through the grace of God, it is available to us. 

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - 
and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."(Ephesians 2:8)  

That's a short verse, but it packs a powerful punch, doesn't it? There's nothing you can do yourself. Absolutely nothing. But it's through your faith in God, that Jesus' death covers your sins, and God gives you this amazing gift. The gift of faith, the gift of His Son, the gift of grace.

It doesn't seem I hear as much about it as I did in the past, but one of the things that goes with this is knowing that you can't work your way to heaven.  I came across a great verse that sums that up.

"And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, 
grace would no longer be grace."  (Romans 11:6)

But a quick look through the scriptures brings to mind other ways of using the word grace, and I wondered about it. Perhaps, in addition to eternal life, grace is a gift while on earth, a blessing? 

"From the fullness of his grace we have all received, 
one blessing after another." (John 1:16)

Or perhaps some skill that we are to share with others?

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. 
If a man’s gift is prophesying, 

let him use it in proportion to his faith." (Romans 12:6)  

and "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms." (1 Peter 4:10).

Obviously, grace is more than one thing. There are many more examples, hundreds, enough to write a book. (That would be convenient, as I am indeed writing a book on Grace.)

 And finally, the presence of God, the gift of the Holy Spirit, our peace, is due to the grace of God.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, 

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.   
(2 Corinthians 13:14)