Grace was Upon Christ
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The concept of grace being upon Christ is a profound theological theme that underscores the divine favor and empowerment present in the life and ministry of Jesus. This theme is rooted in the understanding of grace as the unmerited favor of God, which is both a gift and a manifestation of His love and power.

Biblical Foundation

The phrase "grace was upon Christ" is derived from the Gospel of Luke, where it is written, "And the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him" (Luke 2:40). This passage highlights the presence of divine grace in Jesus from His early years, indicating that His growth in wisdom and strength was accompanied by God's favor.

The Nature of Grace in Christ

In the life of Jesus, grace is not merely an abstract concept but a dynamic reality that empowers His mission and ministry. The grace upon Christ is evident in several aspects:

1. Incarnation: The very act of God becoming flesh in the person of Jesus is an ultimate expression of grace. John 1:14 states, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" . Here, grace is intertwined with truth, revealing the fullness of God's character in Christ.

2. Teaching and Miracles: Jesus' teachings and miraculous works are manifestations of the grace upon Him. His ability to heal the sick, raise the dead, and forgive sins demonstrates the divine favor and authority He carried. In Luke 4:22, the people marveled at the "gracious words that came from His lips" , acknowledging the unique authority and compassion in His message.

3. Redemptive Work: The ultimate expression of grace upon Christ is seen in His sacrificial death and resurrection. Romans 5:15 speaks of the "grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, [which] overflowed to many" . Through His atoning work, Jesus extends God's grace to humanity, offering salvation and reconciliation with God.

Theological Implications

The grace upon Christ has significant theological implications for understanding the nature of Jesus and His work:

· Divine Favor: The presence of grace upon Jesus affirms His unique relationship with the Father, marked by divine favor and approval. This grace is not earned but inherent in His identity as the Son of God.

· Empowerment for Mission: Grace empowers Jesus to fulfill His mission on earth. It is the divine enablement that allows Him to teach, heal, and ultimately offer Himself as a sacrifice for sin.

· Model for Believers: The grace upon Christ serves as a model for believers, who are called to live in the grace of God. As recipients of grace through faith in Christ, believers are empowered to live out their calling and reflect the character of Jesus in the world.

Conclusion

The grace upon Christ is a central theme that reveals the depth of God's love and favor in the person and work of Jesus. It underscores His divine mission and provides a foundation for understanding the transformative power of grace in the lives of believers.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Luke 2:40
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was on him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 3:24
For John was not yet cast into prison.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek
4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... has eternal meaning when it becomes "-believing" by the transforming grace of God. ...
of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

5485. charis -- grace, kindness
... blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ, (b) favor ... spiritual; especially the divine
influence upon the heart ... acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5485.htm - 8k

Library

Growing up into Christ
... Jesus says, "Without Me ye can do nothing." Our growth in grace, our joy,
our usefulness,"all depend upon our union with Christ. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 8 growing up into.htm

Imitation of Christ
... CHAPTER VII Of hiding our grace under the guard of ... in lowly subjection after the
example of Jesus Christ. CHAPTER XIV Of meditation upon the hidden judgments of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/

The Fountain of Grace.
... When the truth dawns upon them that Christ came to save the unworthy, then they
will accept salvation. Peter calls God "the God of all grace.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sovereign grace/chapter i the fountain of.htm

Daily Fellowship with God
... and bestow the grace to live as risen ones. 8. All this can only be in the power
of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in you. Count upon Him to glorify Christ in you ...
/.../murray/the deeper christian life/i daily fellowship with god.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
... against the law of Moses, from which the Lord Christ could, with ... Now again should
I be as if racked upon the wheel ... me, I should be so void of grace, so bewitched ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm

Christ and Man in the Atonement
... as if it constituted on our side a claim upon grace or upon forgiveness: such a
claim would be a contradiction in terms. All that God does in Christ He does in ...
/.../denney/the atonement and the modern mind/chapter iii christ and man.htm

Whitefield -- the Method of Grace
... be convinced of your actual sins, so as to be made to tremble, and yet you may be
strangers to Jesus Christ, you may have no true work of grace upon your hearts ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/whitefield the method of.htm

But as the Wills of Friends, which are not Seen, are Believed ...
... things of which we have made mention, foretold concerning Christ in Whom ... that, carrying
with it the prophecies of the grace conferred upon us, more ...
/.../augustine/concerning faith of things not seen /8 but as the wills.htm

The Redeemer's Return
... His own during this dispensation and grace, necessarily, eliminates ... to make our Rapture
dependent upon anything in us is to attack the Finished Work of Christ. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/

Little Sarah Howley.
... shall I do at the great day, when Christ shall say to ... see any of my friends that
I knew upon earth, turned ... too: O pray that God would give you grace!" And then ...
/.../wesley/stories of boys and girls who loved the saviour/little sarah howley.htm

Resources
Are baptism and communion means of grace? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be saved by grace? | GotQuestions.org

Irresistible Grace - is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Grace: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Grace

Grace is Described as All-Abundant

Grace is Described as All-Sufficient

Grace is Described as Exceeding

Grace is Described as Glorious

Grace is Described as Great

Grace is Described as Manifold

Grace is Described as Rich

Grace is Described as Sovereign

Grace is the Source of Consolation

Grace is the Source of Election

Grace is the Source of Faith

Grace is the Source of Forgiveness of Sins

Grace is the Source of Hope

Grace is the Source of Justification

Grace is the Source of Salvation

Grace is the Source of The Call of God

Grace of God: General Scriptures Concerning

Grace of God: Growth In

Grace was Upon Christ

Grace: Antinomians Abused

Grace: Beware Lest You Fail of

Grace: Came by Christ

Grace: Christ Spoke With

Grace: Christ Was Full of

Grace: Foretold by the Prophets

Grace: Given by Christ

Grace: Glory of, Exhibited in Our Acceptance in Christ

Grace: God is the Giver of

Grace: God is the God of All

Grace: God's Throne, the Throne of

Grace: God's Work Completed in Saints By

Grace: Inheritance of the Promises By

Grace: Justification By, Opposed to That by Works

Grace: Manifestation of, in Others, a Cause of Gladness

Grace: Necessary to the Service of God

Grace: Not to be Abused

Grace: Not to be Received in Vain

Grace: Pray for for Others

Grace: Pray for for Yourselves

Grace: Riches of, Exhibited in God's Kindness Through Christ

Grace: Saints are Heirs of

Grace: Saints are Under

Grace: Saints are What They are By

Grace: Saints: Abound in Gifts of

Grace: Saints: Receive, from Christ

Grace: Saints: should be Established In

Grace: Saints: should be Strong In

Grace: Saints: should Grow In

Grace: Saints: should Speak With

Grace: Special Manifestation of, at the Second Coming of Christ

Grace: Specially Given: To Ministers

Grace: Specially Given: To the Humble

Grace: Specially Given: To Those Who Walk Uprightly

Grace: The Gospel, a Declaration of

Grace: The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of

Grace: The Success and Completion of the Work of God to Be

Related Terms

Bestowed (43 Occurrences)

Abound (36 Occurrences)

Abundant (124 Occurrences)

Acceptable (48 Occurrences)

Acceptation (2 Occurrences)

Predestination

Amen (74 Occurrences)

Abundantly (73 Occurrences)

Accept (106 Occurrences)

Vain (141 Occurrences)

Perseverance (27 Occurrences)

Basis (21 Occurrences)

Boldly (26 Occurrences)

Becometh (82 Occurrences)

Choice (113 Occurrences)

Abounded (6 Occurrences)

Selected (23 Occurrences)

Requests (29 Occurrences)

Determined (89 Occurrences)

Requesting (49 Occurrences)

Choose (116 Occurrences)

Marked (163 Occurrences)

Resisteth (3 Occurrences)

Exhorting (13 Occurrences)

Exhorted (15 Occurrences)

Manifold (23 Occurrences)

Multiplied (109 Occurrences)

Merciful (53 Occurrences)

Reign (468 Occurrences)

Actions (62 Occurrences)

Assurance (16 Occurrences)

Acceptance (24 Occurrences)

Strenuously (6 Occurrences)

Sanctified (105 Occurrences)

Sinful (61 Occurrences)

Abundance (194 Occurrences)

Encourage (34 Occurrences)

Mankind (80 Occurrences)

Sets (80 Occurrences)

Baptismal (1 Occurrence)

Strengthened (113 Occurrences)

Conception (6 Occurrences)

Exercise (35 Occurrences)

Diligently (85 Occurrences)

Assemblies (48 Occurrences)

Proud (96 Occurrences)

Contrary (77 Occurrences)

Support (135 Occurrences)

Chosen (197 Occurrences)

Measure (269 Occurrences)

Act (204 Occurrences)

Accordance (118 Occurrences)

Exceeding (101 Occurrences)

Riches (118 Occurrences)

Churches (39 Occurrences)

Continued (148 Occurrences)

Mercy (467 Occurrences)

Age-during (167 Occurrences)

Christ's (64 Occurrences)

Confidence (103 Occurrences)

Special (89 Occurrences)

Sends (94 Occurrences)

Beloved (117 Occurrences)

Poverty (25 Occurrences)

Prove (83 Occurrences)

Ages (114 Occurrences)

Behalf (140 Occurrences)

Silas (22 Occurrences)

Kindness (295 Occurrences)

Pride (277 Occurrences)

Election (6 Occurrences)

Pleased (172 Occurrences)

Man's (347 Occurrences)

Dear (120 Occurrences)

Effect (173 Occurrences)

You-ward (9 Occurrences)

Varied (3 Occurrences)

Zeal (45 Occurrences)

Grace versus Law
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