Mar. 03, 2024

The Benediction. Paul is thanking God for His grace, the gospel, and His glory. (Romans 16, ²⁴ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. ²⁵ Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, ²⁶ But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: ²⁷ To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen).

The grace of God overwhelmed Paul. Grace is the unmerited love and favor of God. (Romans 16, ²⁴ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen).

Saving grace begins and ends with God. 

(Romans 5, ⁸ But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Luke 19, ¹⁰ For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Philippians 2, ⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: ⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: ⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross).

Jesus came meek and lowly. He is coming back as high and holy--King of kings and Lord of lords.

Acts 4, ¹² Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 16, ³¹ And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Grace is the gift of God. Our works are but filthy rags. Deny ungodliness. (Titus 2, ¹¹ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, ¹² Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world).