THE ABC'S OF GRACE BY JACKEXUM This book offers a simple approach - A beginner's view to the subject of GRACE. This foundational concept is an absolute must if we are to avoid the pitfalls of LEGALISM yet remain true to the GOSPEL of Christ. Dedication: In our 38th year of marriage, and after writing and publishing some 30 books, the topic that fills this volume best fits the one person in my life. No other could better express the beauty of grace and the marvel of this unrelenting power. She set the pattern and modeled the wonder of this lovely thing. We were blessed and are indebted. For the children and myself, we do, with deep feeling and full gratitude, dedicate these writings to ANN beloved wife, mother, counselor and friend. (Mom passed away quietly at 5:15 am on June 13 th . Her family misses her smiles, laughter, counsel, and her example of patience and kindness. (To mom, a true example of a believer in Jesus) iii. This book is so important for the church today. because the subject of Grace is truly essential if the church is going to accomplish the mission of Jesus. Reaching the world for Jesus demands the effort of all Christians, unity that stands inspite of differences which have side tracked our efforts. Resulting in ‘in-fighting’ and division, and ‘heresy trials’ while the lost, remain lost. Proper understanding, acceptance and application of the Grace of God, will further the cause of Christ, and bring such unity that even “the gates of hell” cannot defeat. For too long, this subject has been one viewed with caution instead of being embraced with joy. The fear of the ‘abuse’ of God’s grace has resulted in a loss of BALANCE on the subject. Uncertainty has ‘pushed’ the joy of our salvation to the side in the lives of many Christians. “Are you saved?” Someone asks… A ‘sheepish reply comes back, “I hope so.” or “I just don’t know.” Clouds of discouragement come, as we try to ‘walk the line’, only too often to find ourselves unable to ‘do it as well as expected.’ We need… (No, we MUST) understand God’s wonderful grace. Without it, I hate to think of, where I would be, or where any of us would be. In taking another look at this grand subject. Take your time, have your Bible open. Get a cup of coffee or tea, and be ready to enjoy what God’s word says. Don’t be afraid of it. Don’t be concerned about what others may say… get excited, because this is a wonderful study. Now, keep in mind, dad does not, claim miraculous inspiration here, that’s found in God’s word. Dad simply ‘saw a need’ A BIG NEED in the church….. a need to understand the Grace of God. When God spoke through the apostles on this subject, all of heaven surely rejoiced. Because of the “work” of Jesus, we are “…saved by grace through faith…” Ephesians 2:8, or we are not saved at all. God bless you as you read and study this little book. (I want to add here, that a good study on the Grace of God can also be found at oneinjesus.info if you want to take the time for an even broader study with Jay Guinn.) Jack Jr. iv. CONTENTS Dedication: Preface-- "Life in Grace" vii CHAPTERS 1. Balance. The Missing Dimension - 1 2. Freedom. The Precious Commodity - 6 3. Foundation Facts Of Grace - 13 4. I Am A Sinner--Lost! - 20 5. God Is Righteous--.Just! - 28 6. God Is Faithful--He Promised! - 36 7. Saved By Grace--Through Faith! - 43 8. Created In Christ .Jesus - .50 9. "And They Sung A New Song" - 57 10. "I Am Barabbas" - 64 11. Hold Fast--Form Of Sound Words - 70 12. Saved! --The Glorious Sound - 77 13. "Be Thou Faithful" - 83 14. Some final thoughts - iv THE NEED - MAN 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Romans 1:21-32 (KJV) THE ONLY SOLUTION - GOD! 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:16-17 (KJV) 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Eph 2:4-10 (KJV) 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone ; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Eph 2:16-22 (KJV) . vi Preface - Life Of Grace Satan is a terrible taskmaster. The bondage of sin is a horrible way to live. It is the worst kind of slavery. " For the payoff of sin is death " (Rom. 6:23). Sin separates us from God (Is. 59:1-2). The bondage of sin destroys innocence, and replaces it with the ever- present load of guilt. Little by little it breaks down our ideals and destroys our dreams. Eventually willpower is completely compromised. It is a life of disappointment and futile frustrations. When we try to "reform”, we accuse ourselves of hypocrisy. "What are you doing, trying to be good?" "Don't you know you are not fooling anyone but yourself?" "How can you think of praying or singing spiritual songs?" "Look what you have done!!" "You're no good-you never have been and never will be!" "How dare you think of yourself as being righteous!" This is realistic for the Word of God says " Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity , to dishonor their bodies among themselves .” And were indeed, "by nature, the children of wrath ••• having no hope and without God in the world" (Rom. 1:24; Eph. 2:3, 12). "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love where with he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are ye saved)" (Eph . 2:4-5). The word grace scares us, hushes us, puts us in a closet! PERFORMANCE is our word. We have been born to it, raised in it, and led to believe in our own performance and success. Grace makes us defensive ("not by grace only," we say), and turns us into a "fifth amendment" crowd. The fear of being misunderstood has silenced many voices, and the threat of being "written up" takes away our courage to study, learn and grow.