Sister Liane, if there was one subject that I believe is more important than another, I would have to say it is the subject of grace. We are told that we are saved by grace so we all should want to know what grace is and how it is that we are saved by it. We shall study the subject of God's grace for eternity and will continue to gain a deeper understanding of this wonderful gift.
Let me ask a question to start our minds headed in the right direction. When God the Father looked down upon Adam and Eve when they disobeyed Him, what did He do?
Now, whatever you say He did, I ask what good did Adam and Eve do that He should do this?
Let us review the situation. God told Adam and Eve not to eat of the fruit from the one tree or they would die. The wages of sin is death. Sin is the transgression of the law. God had given them but one test, the tree in the midst of the garden. The death spoken of is eternal death. They both deserved to die immediately and eternally. Why did they not die? Did God change His law? Did He then say as the devil did, if you sin you shall not surely die? No, He did not change His law, but rather made a provision for Adam and Eve to gain back eternal life. This opportunity could not negate the claim of the broken law. Justice would have to be met, but there was another option that the Godhead had made provision for. Jesus would pay the price for Adam and Eve's sin. He would die in their place and give them temporary life to regain their lost treasure of eternal life.
What did Adam do to deserve this offer? Or better yet what could Adam do to deserve this gift? The wages of sin is death. Adam could do nothing to offset this. He must die. There was only one provision that could be made to save Adam and that was for Jesus to die in His place. What did Adam have that could pay for the death of Jesus? Can anyone suggest a price or anything that would pay for Jesus to die? Of course not. There is nothing anyone could do that would even come close to paying for the death of the Son of God. Jesus and God the Father gave freely the life of Christ for our salvation. We could give all we have and there is nothing that could pay for the death of Jesus. Then since Jesus and the Father did not receive payment for this work, then what can we call it?
Can we call it a gift? Yes, but is it not more than a gift? Are not gifts sometimes given to those that are deserving of a gift? Yes, all the time. The gift of Christ was not deserved. Adam deserved to die. He had nothing to bring to God. Jesus died for Adam while he was yet a sinner. Adam could only accept the gift. There is a word that describes this action by God, it is grace. It is unmerited favor. We do not deserve anything but death. All have sinned and all deserve death. It is grace that is freely given while we are yet sinners deserving of death.
Sister Liane, I think you follow this and there would probably be little need to share it, but it is difficult to follow through in the plan of salvation, so let us build upon a solid foundation.
In regards to grace you said, "It is given to every human being from the Godhead, whether we deserve it or not." It is given to all, we are granted temporary life. This is grace and it cost. Do you see that your statement "...whether we deserve it or not" is not quite accurate? Grace implies we do not deserve it.
Let's go on to the action of grace upon the sinner. It is the goodness of God that leads the sinner to repentance which is revealed by a changed life. The fruits of the Spirit are manifested in the converted person's life. What is the goodness of God? Is it not His grace? As we behold the love of God for us, it changes our heart. This is called the "new birth" or "conversion", or a "new heart." It comes about as a result of the revelation of God's grace, His unmerited favor towards the children of men.
It would be good to spend a thoughtful hour each day contemplating the life of Jesus. By beholding this great love (grace) we will become like Him.
Last point: "And that we can loose it by sinning." No, you cannot lose grace by sinning. You have lost the effect of grace upon the heart, so there is no abding in Christ and the power to resist sin is gone. Grace surrounds the sinner awaiting to be seen. Grace is not withdrawn until probation closes. Grace is continual and constant. It is available to the sinner for the taking. If one were not sick, he would not need a doctor. With our fallen nature we are in great need of medicine and that medicine is grace. The love of Jesus is never merited, it just is. Angels in heaven do not know of God's grace as we do, for they have never sinned.
I pray this helps to reveal the character of our God in a fuller manner than you had known before. Grace is more than a word, it is the transforming power that changes our hard hearts into new soft ones.
We need fresh stores of grace each day.
In His love and grace, Richard