How can we apply "the grace of God was upon Him" in our lives? The Verse in Focus Luke 2:40 — “And the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.” What Scripture Means by “Grace” • Undeserved favor that flows from God’s character (Ephesians 2:8–9) • Divine enablement that empowers holy living (Titus 2:11–12) • Strength made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) How the Verse Describes Jesus • Growing: real, measurable physical and spiritual development • Strong: resilience produced by the Father’s sustaining power • Filled with wisdom: an ever-increasing store of truth and discernment • Grace upon Him: continual, visible evidence of divine favor Living Under That Same Grace 1. Receive, don’t achieve • “For from His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.” (John 1:16) • Salvation and daily strength begin with humble dependence, not self-effort. 2. Pursue steady growth • Jesus “grew”; we grow by regular Scripture intake (1 Peter 2:2) and obedience (James 1:22). 3. Cultivate spiritual strength • Grace empowers us to “be strong in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:10), resisting temptation and endurance in trials. 4. Seek wisdom • Ask, and God “gives generously” (James 1:5). Grace opens our minds to understand and apply truth. 5. Walk visibly favored • The early church “had great grace upon them all” (Acts 4:33). Our lives should display gratitude, kindness, and confidence that point others to God’s goodness. Practical Habits That Position Us Under Grace • Daily Scripture reading and meditation • Quick confession of sin (1 John 1:9) • Bold prayer at the “throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16) • Fellowship with grace-minded believers (Hebrews 10:24–25) • Serving others through spiritual gifts (1 Peter 4:10) • Practicing generosity (2 Corinthians 9:8) Cautions Against Cheapening Grace • License: Using grace as an excuse to sin (Romans 6:1–2) • Pride: Forgetting grace comes to the humble (James 4:6) • Passivity: Neglecting the effort grace enables (1 Corinthians 15:10) Encouragement for the Journey • “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18) • As we grow, strengthen, and gain wisdom, the same grace that rested on Christ rests on us, shaping lives that glorify God and bless others. |
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