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Grace Encourages...Leads the lost to Christ



Acts 11:22-24
American Standard Version (ASV)
22 And the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch:
23 who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord:
24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.


God's Grace imparts encouragement to the receiver who then in turn becomes the encourager. Grace gives us a look back at where we've been...how far we've come...and when we find WE WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE for this favor from God through Christ, we are prone to want to spread this Spirit around. I cannot encourage someone when I am a slave to my sinful condition, or mired in chronic sin consciousness. God's grace also gives us wisdom to be able to help folks understand WHO THEY ARE IN CHRIST.

As a youth Jesus knew who he was at an early age;
Luke 2:40
And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of God was upon Him.

Grace allows all believers to stand on level ground at the Cross so all who believe are accepted into the body ; 
Romans 12:3
For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.

 1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not [found to be] for nothing (fruitless and without effect). In fact, I worked harder than all of them [the apostles], though it was not really I, but the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God which was with me.


One who has been touched by grace will no longer look on those who stray as “those evil people” or “those poor people who need our help.” Nor must we search for signs of “loveworthiness.” Grace teaches us that God loves because of who God is, not because of who we are.
 

 
Philip Yancey
What’s So Amazing About Grace? Zondervan, 1997


24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

When people hear the true Gospel Message and realize that Jesus will meet them where they are at...that we don't climb up the Cross...that He came down to us...and that His love and acceptance is not performance based...many will come to Him. 




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