GRADES

As each of you has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the MANIFOLD GRACE of God – 1 Peter 4:10

GRACE comes in GRADES. Grace manifests in MANIFOLD dimensions:  “As each of you has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the MANIFOLD GRACE of God” (1Pet. 4:10). In Christ Jesus, God has released Grace to meet every possible need of humanity. That’s why we are encouraged to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain grace to help in time of need” (Heb.4:16). Name you need; there a grade of grace that answers to it!

Sometime in 1996 as I tarried at the throne of Grace, the Holy Spirit unveiled Seven Grades of Grace. These are: Saving Grace, Sanctifying Grace, Serving Grace, Shining Grace, Sharing Grace, Strengthening Grace, and Super-abundant Grace.

Saving Grace – For by GRACE you have been SAVED through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest anyone should boast (Eph.2:8-9). This is the grace for Salvation and all that pertains to it: salvation from Sin and its consequences; and deliverance from the devil, demons and all agents and powers of darkness.

Sanctifying Grace – Transforming Grace: But by the GRACE of God I am what I am: and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the GRACE of God which was with me (1 Cor.15:10). This is the grace for Sanctification and separation unto holiness and righteousness. It is the grace for spiritual maturity and divine Transformation: from unrighteousness to righteousness; worldliness to godliness; and from babyhood to adulthood in Christ.

Serving Grace – Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have GRACE, by which we may SERVE God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: (Heb. 12:28). This is the grace for acceptable Service and worthy worship; the grace for “proving what is acceptable to the Lord” (Eph.5:10).

Shining Grace – Great Grace: And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And GREAT GRACE was upon them all (Acts 4:33). This is grace for shining and for impactful manifestation; grace to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Mt.5:13-16). It is the grace for making a positive influence in your location and generation by demonstrating the “great power” of the God of all grace.

Sacrificial or Sharing Grace – Giving grace: And God is able to make ALL GRACE abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, have an abundance for every good work: (2 Cor. 9:8). This is the grace for a life of selfless sharing and sacrificial giving; it is the grace for the good stewardship of life, time, talents, and treasures.

Strengthening or Sufficient Grace: In grace, we stand (Rom. 5:2).

• For if by one man's offence death reigned through the one; much more those who receive ABUNDANCE of GRACE and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:17).
• And He said to me, “MY GRACE is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Cor. 12:9).

This is the abundant grace that releases and exchanges divine Strength for human weaknesses. It is the grace for reigning in life and ruling in dominion, irrespective of personal or other conditions, circumstances or situations.

Super-abundant Grace: And the GRACE of our Lord was exceeding abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus (1Tim. 1:14). This is the grace beyond fathomable measures; the grace for the supernatural and miraculous; the exceeding abundant grace that works in the realms of faith and love for unique deliveries in destiny.

These Grades of Grace would be the focus of our meditations in the grace-full and wonderful week ahead. Shalom!