January 18 - Exceeding Abundant Grace.

I Timothy 1:14
"And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”
 
Sound familiar? This verse often reminds me of Ephesians 3:20 and God’s all-powerful ability to do much more than we could ever desire. But here we see that power referring to the grace of God through faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
 
Exceeding: to go beyond, to surpass
Abundant: in great quantity, well supplied
 
How would you define grace?
 
Many have referred to it as G.R.A.C.E. - God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. When I went to look up Webster’s definition of grace, I expected something close to unmerited favor; but Webster went even further in explaining what the ultimate purpose of grace is:
Grace: unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification
There among thousands of definitions in his dictionary sits salvation by grace. Someone had given Noah Webster the Gospel.
 
The grace of God is ultimately displayed by the giving of His only begotten Son so that we could become the sons of God. Exceeding Abundant Grace.
 
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me,
I once was lost, but now I’m found,
Was blind, but now, I see.
T’was Grace that taught,
My heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved!
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come.
Tis Grace has brought me safe thus far,
And Grace will lead me home!
John Newton, 1779
 
What unmerited favor for such a wretch like me! 

Bible Reading:
Genesis 35-36  |  John 18  |  Proverbs 18