Grace, as a gift of God, is a profound expression of His generous and loving character toward us. It is not something we earn, but a continuous flow of empowerment freely given by Him to meet our spiritual needs. Through His grace, God equips us with abilities and powers to fulfill His purpose, shaping us into His image and character over time through our voluntary cooperation in the experiences He designs for us. Everything in God's creative work within us is a gift of His activity in our lives. Our works, as the fruit of His grace, cannot earn salvation but serve to glorify Him and internalize His character within us during the process of sanctification. Salvation and faith themselves are gifts from God, underscoring that He owes us nothing, yet freely provides all we need for His spiritual creation. In the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, grace is personified. He is described as full of grace and truth, the source from which we receive grace upon grace, a continuous series of blessings and benefits. This grace is not a one-time act but an ongoing empowerment from our Savior, supplying us with forgiveness, knowledge, understanding, wisdom, healing, protection, and more, as long as we accept and use it. God's grace also manifests through His personal involvement in our lives by means of His Holy Spirit, one of His most gracious gifts. Jesus Christ assured His followers that He and the Father would come to them, ensuring they are not left as orphans but are continually supported in their spiritual journey. This promise extends to us, affirming that God is ever-present, providing the power to accomplish our responsibilities and grow in His grace. Grace, as exemplified by Jesus Christ, encompasses salvation, redemption, teaching, hope, and inspiration for godly living. It is a comprehensive gift that flows continuously to assist us along the way. God's generosity is not thoughtless but guided by wisdom, focused on preparing us for His family-kingdom, always providing what we need at the right time, even amidst trials, to ensure our growth and ultimate glorification.

Grace, as the gift of God, stands as the cornerstone of our salvation, indispensable within His purpose. Without this divine favor, there would be no calling, no justification, no Holy Spirit, and no sanctification; indeed, even creation itself might not have come to be. Grace is the key element in God's entire purpose for our salvation, a benevolence that is completely unmerited and unearned. It is not given because God is obligated or compelled, but because it reflects His unchanging nature and character, freely bestowed to fulfill His purpose for us. This divine assistance, termed grace, is not merely a one-time act of justification but a continuous support throughout our spiritual journey. It is the power God grants to His children to move forward, to grow, and to succeed in the responsibilities He assigns, whether in leadership or any position within the church. Grace permeates every step of our path, evident in the daily provisions and guidance He offers, much like the manna, cloud, and pillar of fire provided to Israel in the wilderness. From beginning to end, our salvation is a gifting by God, a benevolence that He leads and directs, to which we respond in thankfulness. Understanding grace as unmerited is vital to controlling human pride and fostering humility. It cannot be demanded or earned, for God owes us nothing but death due to our sins. Yet, because of His purpose and merciful kindness, He does not execute this justice immediately but offers grace instead. Every sin we commit is against Him and His Son personally, yet He remains ever-willing to forgive when we approach Him in repentance. This grace, planned even from our conception, empowers us to be part of His family, designed and gifted by Him to fulfill specific roles within the body of Christ, ensuring that we are not here by accident but by His deliberate and gracious design.

Grace, as the gift of God, stands as the cornerstone of our spiritual salvation, far surpassing its secular meaning of physical gifting. In its spiritual essence, grace embodies the unmerited divine assistance bestowed upon us for regeneration and sanctification. It is not earned, nor is God obligated to provide it; rather, He freely gives it out of His inherent nature to save and to help those less fortunate. His character is one of a giver, loving to bestow gifts not because of any entitlement on our part, but simply because it is His purpose and nature to do so. This divine grace is the foundation of our salvation, a process initiated and sustained entirely by His benevolence. We receive nothing by merit; every spiritual blessing, including life itself and the hope of something far greater, is a gift from Him. Without His freely given grace, we are nothing, utterly dependent on what He provides, both physically and spiritually. Salvation, as a gift, is not guaranteed unconditionally, but it is offered through His grace, and we must accept and continue in it to avoid losing what He has given. Grace also implies empowerment, enabling us to serve and grow spiritually. It is the power of God that allows us to live a new life in Christ, equipping us to yield to His will and utilize the gifts He imparts. These gifts are not innate within us but are revealed and understood through His Spirit, underscoring our complete reliance on His generosity. Every aspect of Christian responsibility and work stems from this creating grace, yet no amount of good works can earn it; it remains a freely given gift from our Creator, shaping us according to His purpose.

Brethren, as we reflect on the life of Solomon, we see a man chosen by the grace of God, given extraordinary gifts to fulfill His purpose. Solomon, known as Jedidiah, the Beloved of God, received wisdom as a direct gift from Him, yet his focus shifted from the Giver to the gift itself. We must remember that everything we have and are is by the grace of God, enabling us to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to Him. Only through His grace have we obtained mercy to be called His people. Every aspect of our lives must be lived with the understanding that all we possess is possible solely by the grace of God. This grace is not a one-time act of mercy, but a continuous outflowing of His gifts to His spiritual children. It stands as the most vital element of our hope for salvation through the resurrection. He owes us nothing, yet freely gives of His love and power, that we might share a glorious, powerful, fulfilling, and unending life with Him and Jesus Christ. Let us always recognize that everything we have is by His grace, to be used as He sees fit for His beloved.