Do we understand as we should, the terrific battle, the great controversy, taking place right now? Do we see things as God sees? Sadly many men and women are walking in darkness, blindly journeying in paths of ease and sinful pleasure, ignorant, of reality.

Reality: "The world or the state of things as they actually exist"

Do we understand things as they "actually exist"? Do we unflinchingly face every Bible truth, and by the grace of God, meet the conditions, living by every word?

The word of God is powerful, it is a searcher of hearts. How tragic that so many are afraid of looking truth, square on. Afraid of give something up, afraid to feel guilt, unwilling to face reality!

We can turn away from God's truth and seek a life of ease, but shortly, when the dead are raised by the voice of the almighty (1. Thessalonians 4:16), when we stand before the judge of all ages (Revelation 20:12), we have no choice but to see things "as they actually exist".

Then we will see how foolish we were. Oh, then we will wish we had diligently studied the scriptures and sought out every precious truth, and done what we knew to be right. We will then be staring face to face with reality!

Set before us is a choice. Will we run away from God's truth, will we fool ourselves into thinking that we can ignore the Bible truth and still be in favour of the God of Heaven? Will we remain ignorant of the reality of salvation from sin, the sacrifice of our saviour, the gift of righteousness and the reward of heaven? Or will we, with boldness, fall on our knees, pleading for the grace of heaven to be bestowed on us? Will we desire a knowledge of God, an experience with Him above all else? Will our highest priority be to seek out the deep truths of God's word, hungering and thirsting for His righteousness? I pray so.

Now, what does this have to do with "Grace, Peace and Deliverance"?

Let's turn to the book of Galatians, in the Bible. Always remember to pray to our heavenly Father and ask that the we may be guided, by the Holy Spirit, into a right understanding of truth (John 16:13), before we read the Bible.

Here in Galatians chapter 1, listen to what the Bible says:

"Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ" - Galatians 1:3

Here is a very simple greeting that we may easily skim over and think nothing of it. But just allow your mind to ponder that first phrase. "Grace be to you". And let's ask some questions.
What grace?
Where does it come from?
Who is grace given to?
Why do I need grace?
How do I receive it?

(In Bible study, the interrogative questions who, what, when, where, how and why, are key to discovering gems of truth.)

Now let's turn to some other Bible texts to find the answers:

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" - Ephesians 2:8

So what does grace do? Well, by it we are "what"? Yes, by it we are saved. It is also a gift from whom? Yes it is the gift of God.

Reality is, "All have sinned" and "The soul that sinneth it shall die" (Romans 3:23, Ezekiel 18:20). Therefore the only way to right relations with God is by the removal of sin from us. By grace we are saved, saved from what? Saved from our sins (Matthew 1:21). Notice we are not saved in our sins, but from our sins. This means a seperation of sin from our lives.

Now let's understand a little more of the nature of God's grace.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;" - Romans 1:16

How are we saved according to this verse? What saves us? Yes, we are saved by the Gospel of Christ. But what is it in the Gospel of Christ that saves us? Yes, it is the power of of God. You see only the power of God can overcome the forces of darkness. Only the power of God in the life of the believer can enable him to live the life of Christ.

Therefore, every one that believeth is saved by the power of God (Romans 1:16). Everyone that exercises faith (believing in God) is saved by grace(Ephesians 2:8). This isn't two methods of salvation, but it is a perfect harmony of scripture.

How do grace and the power of God combine?

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." - 2. Corinthians 12:9

When God gives grace, He is giving strength, He is giving power. When God says "You are saved by grace" He is saying "you are saved by my power"!

God gave all of heaven in the gift of Jesus, unlimited power is available for every believing one. Even the weakest soul, who prays to God for grace and believes that they have received it, can overcome.

And never think that your sins are too difficult, or too horrendous for the power of God. He says "My grace is sufficient for thee".

"But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:" - Romans 5:20

Never be discouraged by thinking your sins are too great. Be encouraged by the fact that God's grace, His power, is given in proportion to our sins. That means no matter what condition we may be in, by the grace of Christ we can overcome.

Next week we will continue to look at this theme of "Grace, Peace and Deliverance".