Comparison: God's Grace (Of) VS In God's Grace VS By God's Grace VS Through God's Grace

 

Comparison: God's Grace (Of) VS In God's Grace VS By God's Grace VS Through God's Grace

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory now and forever. Amen.

Ephesians 2:7 In order that in the ages to come the exceeding riches of his grace may be revealed in his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:10 However, it is by God’s grace that I am what I am today, and God’s grace did not come to me in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than all the apostles. But this is not me, but God’s grace and grace. I am with you.

Ephesians 3:7 I am a minister of this gospel according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given to me according to the working of His power.

 

Aspect	Grace of God (God's Grace)	In God's Grace	By God's Grace	Through God's Grace
Definition	Refers to the essence and source of grace, emphasizing that grace belongs to God and is His attribute and nature	Refers to believers being within the realm and environment of God's grace, expressing a continuous state	Refers to relying on God's grace to act, emphasizing the source of power	Refers to accomplishing things using God's grace as a medium or instrument
Distinctive Features	• Emphasizes the essence and ownership of grace • Indicates the source of grace • Expresses the relationship between grace and God	• Emphasizes  the sphere of existence • Expresses  a state of living • Indicates  grace as living environment	• Emphasizes reliance for strength • Expresses  the foundation for action • Indicates source of ability	• Emphasizes  grace as pathway • Expresses method of completion • Indicates channel of achievement
Specific Description	God Himself with divinity going through incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension - these elements constitute God's grace	Growing in grace, making grace the environment for living and growth, like plants growing in nutrients	Living by relying on God's given grace as the source of power and ability	Completing God's will through grace as the channel and means
Examples & Application	• Christ as the embodiment of grace • Divine nature becoming believers' life quality	• Growth in church life • Daily life in Christ	• Paul's ministry work • Believers' good works	• Gospel preaching work • Completion of spiritual service
Related Scripture	• 2 Pet 3:18 - Grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ • Eph 1:6-8 - Grace freely given to us in the Beloved	• Eph 2:7 - His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus • Eph 2:10 - Created in Christ Jesus	• 1 Cor 15:10 - By God's grace I am what I am	• Eph 3:7 - Made a minister according to the gift of God's grace
Practical Application	• Know and accept God's essential grace • Receive God's life nature • Live out divine life	• Rest in grace • Enjoy grace's supply • Experience life growth	• Live by grace • Not by own strength • Let grace be power	• Let grace be channel • Complete commission through grace • Manifest God's work

  

Key Conclusions: 

1.      These four aspects show the complete picture of believers' relationship with God's grace:

 l   Source (of God)

l   Environment (in)

l   Power (by)

l   Means (through)

 

2.      These aspects are not mutually exclusive but complementary:

 l   From knowing grace's essence

l   To living in grace

l   Then living by grace

l   Finally completing God's will through grace

 3.      Integration in practical application:

 l   Knowing grace is God Himself (of God)

l   Living in the reality of this grace (in)

l   Relying on this grace to act (by)

l   Letting grace be the channel for completing God's will (through)

 

*Please refer to the 2024 International Thanksgiving Conference

Message Five: Grace in Peter's Epistles - Living the Christian and Church Life under God's Government for God's Economy