grace and favor

The word grace does not have just one definition, we must study the context in which it appears.  The word grace appears many times in the Old Testament, but it has nothing to do with the grace of the New Testament.
 
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.
 
One of the manifestations of grace in the New Testament is God’s supernatural power that causes a sinner to be born-again in righteousness.  This is something only God can do.  We can’t fully comprehend it but we can experience it.
 
2 Corinthians 12:9 God said to Paul: My grace is all you need, My strength and power is made complete in your time of weakness.
 
When God gave Paul His grace, Paul was empowered to endure every assault of the devil.  The devil coerced the Jews to beat Paul with thirty-nine stripes five times.  The tormentor beat men thirty-nine times because forty would kill them.  God gave Paul His grace, the supernatural power to endure all the near death beatings.  God’s grace will manifest in many different ways and it will always involve God’s supernatural power.
 
Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
 
In the old covenant there was no grace for salvation because no one was saved and no one went to heaven.  Grace in the Old Testament had a totally different meaning but it still involved the supernatural power of God.  Grace in the old covenant could be defined with one word, favor.  Now grace in the New Testament has many applications but it always involves divine favor.
 
Psalm 5:12 For you, Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor will You crown him as with a body shield.
 
In the Old Testament when a man kept the law it was accounted for him as righteousness.  Consequently there was not a whole lot of favor spent on the people.  In the New Testament faith in Jesus makes a man righteous, so in our dispensation of grace believers will all the more experience the favor of God.  In the old covenant righteousness was accounted to those who obeyed the law.  In the new covenant righteousness is imparted to those who obey Jesus and His Word.  It is quite easy to obey Jesus because His gift of grace has changed our very nature.
 
Luke 2:52 And Jesus (the man) increased in wisdom (revelation) and  age, and in favor with God and man.
 
As you receive revelation you will grow in spiritual maturity and favor with God and men.  At first mention I had some favor in my life, but now I see God’s favor every day.  When you recognize the favor of God in your life, it is very important to immediately give God the glory.  Giving God the glory will ensure that you are not looking for good luck!

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