I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU
GOD’S GRACE NEVER LEAVES YOU
“… since it is through God’s kindness (the indwelling Spirit)… it is not by [your]… good works. God’s grace …[makes all his actions toward mankind (saved or unsaved)]…—free and undeserved…” (Romans 11:6 NLT).
“...to show us his GRACE through Christ Jesus...who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for GOD WAS WITH HIM…” (Acts 10:38-39 KJV & 2 Timothy 1:9).
“...God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it...” (Romans 5:10-16 NLT).
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Biblical GRACE is God’s FAVOR toward mankind who does not deserve it, is not worthy of it, nor can they ever earn it.
God’s GRACE is extended, through expressions and demonstrations of heartfelt kindness, simply because of God’s unconditional LOVE toward mankind.
Some of those heartfelt expressions of kindness is God’s willingness to save mankind’s soul from perishing, forgive their sins, reconcile them to his Holy Spirit, adopt them as his own children, and generously endow them with boundless spiritual blessings and gifts.
Mankind can NEVER earn God’s GRACE. ONLY his unconditional love compels, drives, or motivates him to TREAT them kindly in spite of their many faults, wrongdoings, and flaws.
In order to APPRECIATE God’s GRACE toward his people and ALL of mankind it is important to consider the BENEFIT and amazing GIFT of GRACE.
“….I was born a sinner (I was born without the indwelling Holy Spirit)—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT).
The FLESH is the sinful nature. The SINFUL NATURE “only” knows how to SIN. Sins are the immutable symptoms of “that” nature. “...I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin (the symptoms of the flesh/sinful nature) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…the wages of sin (the end result of having a flesh/sinful nature ONLY) is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…For all have sinned (all have been born with a flesh or sinful nature)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV). “…all have ... come short of the glory of God (all are born WITHOUT the indwelling Holy Spirit)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV).
HOWEVER, let’s look at how God expressed and demonstrated his HOLY LOVE and GRACE. “…God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV).
“... Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (substitute, intervention) for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV).
“…Christ (an expression of God’s LOVE and GRACE) ... suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring [mankind back] to God …” (1 Peter 3:18 KJV).
Without Jesus Christ, the FLESH or SINFUL NATURE cannot be changed. It “IS” what it “IS,” a FLESH/SINFUL NATURE. “…Apart from [Jesus Christ]… [mankind cannot]... do nothing [they cannot change their flesh/sinful nature]…” (John 15:5 NIV).
King David said: “….I was born a sinner ….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT). "…That which is born of the flesh is flesh…” (John 3:6 KJV).
“...Who will free me from this life that is dominated by [the flesh/sinful nature]?” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
“...I [am] …a slave to the ..[innate, enduring, etc.]... sin that is … within me (within my flesh/sinful nature) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
“...I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
“...The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin (through the flesh/sinful nature) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
“...Who will free me from this life...?” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “...The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
God did NOT send Jesus to CHANGE mankind’s SINFUL NATURE, but to completely DELIVER them from it!
Through God’s unconditional LOVE and GRACE mankind can BE DELIVERED from the FLESH/SINFUL nature, which means they are SET FREE and HEALED through Jesus Christ.“…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by [my]...[flesh/sinful nature]?” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…If the Son therefore shall make you free, you SHALL be free indeed…” (John 8:36 KJV).
Is anything too hard for God to DELIVER you from? “…I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV).
“…The things which are impossible with men are possible with God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV).
“… THE LORD … is Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer…” (Psalms 18:3 NASB).
“…Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “...For in him [God’s people]... live, and move, and have [their] being (their NEW IMAGE, identity, ETC.); as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring...” (Acts 17:28 KJV).
It is mankind’s CONDITION without God’s unconditional LOVE that makes God’s GRACE, toward them, so very, very important and AMAZING.
They were BORN SINNERS, which automatically makes them GUILTY before God, they are considered ENEMIES of God, deserving of DEATH, unable to be RIGHTEOUS or GOOD, and without any WAY to be justified or MADE RIGHT with God, the Holy Spirit.
“….I was born a sinner ….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT).
“...all the world (every male and female) may become guilty before God....” (Romans 3:19 KJV).
“...we were enemies...” (Romans 5:10 KJV).
“…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).
“...There is none righteous, no, not one...” (Romans 3:10 KJV). “...I want to do what is good, but I don’t …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
“...Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight...” (Romans 3:20 KJV).
Spiritually they are LOST, DEAD, UNCLEAN, and SEPARATED from God, the Holy Spirit.
LOST and spiritually DEAD souls are headed toward everlasting punishment and eternal SEPARATION from God, the Holy Spirit. Oh but, “…The GIFT by grace……” (Romans 5:15 KJV).
“…BY GRACE have ye been saved through… FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD; not of works, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
“..The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with faith… that are [“through” jesus Christ]…” (1 Timothy 1:13-14 NIV).
Thus, “… the GRACE of God, and the gift by GRACE, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath ABOUNDED unto many…” (Romans 5:15 KJV).
“…God is able to make all GRACE abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things…” (2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV).
“…My GRACE is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness...” (2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV).
“..Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of GRACE, that we may obtain mercy, and find GRACE to help in time of need…” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV).
“…where sin abounded, GRACE did much more abound…” (Romans 5:20 KJV).
“…They which receive abundance of GRACE … shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ…” (Romans 5:17 KJV).
HOW? According to, “...The grace GIVEN unto [mankind]…” (Romans 12:3 KJV). “…the grace of God which is GIVEN [to mankind]... by Jesus Christ...” (1 Corinthians 1:4 KJV). “…Every one of us is GIVEN GRACE according to the measure of the gift of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:7 KJV).
“…FREELY [mankind has]... RECEIVED...” (Matthew 10:8 KJV).
God’s GRACE is a FREE GIFT to the RECIPIENT, which means they OWE NOTHING for it. “…The GIFT by grace……” (Romans 5:15 KJV).
God’s GIFT of GRACE, comes along with the GIFT of SALVATION, both are FREE toward mankind, however it was COSTLY to Jesus Christ. “…, my righteous servant (Jesus) ... [made]... it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins…” (Isaiah 53:11 NLT).
“…Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us [back] to God …” (1 Peter 3:18 KJV).
“... Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (substitute, intervention) for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV).
God’s GRACE is a GIFT and once God gives it to mankind they OWN it and it is theirs to KEEP for as long as they choose. “…the grace that is GIVEN …” (Romans 12:6 KJV). “…Because of the grace that is GIVEN ... of God…” (Romans 15:15 KJV). “…the grace of God which is GIVEN ... by Jesus Christ...” (1 Corinthians 1:4 KJV). “…Every one ... is GIVEN GRACE according to the measure of the gift of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:7 KJV).
When God GIVES the GIFT of GRACE it belongs to the RECEIVER permanently and God will NEVER take it BACK or change his mind. “…the grace of God which is GIVEN ... by Jesus Christ...” (1 Corinthians 1:4 KJV). “…The GIFT by grace……” (Romans 5:15 KJV). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “...Jesus Christ (God’s WORD) is the same yesterday and today and forever...” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV). “…I am (and my GRACE is]... with you always, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV).
God’s GRACE compelled HIM to willingly GIVE his SON, unsparingly and sacrificially, so that mankind would PROFIT from it. God “…spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all….” (Romans 8:32 KJV). “...[Jesus]... said, It is finished…” (John 19:28-30 KJV). “… I lay down my life... [FOR mankind] …” (John 10:17-18 KJV). Jesus “…[gave] ...his life a ransom for many...” (Matthew 20:28 KJV).
“… the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ .. though HE WAS [spiritually] RICH, yet for [mankind’s]... sakes he became [spiritually] poor, that [they]... through his poverty might be [spiritually] RICH…” (2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV).
“... his life [was made]... an offering for sin...” (Isaiah 53:10-11 NLT). “...Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...” (1 Timothy 1:15 NLT). “...Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him...” (Hebrews 7:25 NLT).
Jesus came “…to give His life a ransom for many…” (Matthew 20:28 NIV).
“... Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and SENT His SON to be the propitiation (substitute, intervention) for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “…There is no greater love …” (John 15:13 NLT).
The AMAZING gift of God’s GRACE is TOTALLY unmerited, undeserving, and FREE. “… since it is through God’s kindness … it is not by [mankind’s]… good works. God’s grace …[makes all his actions toward us]...free and undeserved…” (Romans 11:6 NLT).
God’s GRACE is continual and ongoing through the “covenant unity” relationship with HIM. “…My grace is sufficient for you…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV). “…NOT that we are sufficient OF OURSELVES to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God…” (2 Corinthians 3:5 KJV).“…I AM [and my grace is]... WITH YOU ALWAYS, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV). “…he remains faithful [with his gift of grace] …” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).
God’s people can actively benefit from God’s GIFT of GRACE and it is ENCOURAGED. “...come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and ... will find grace to help us when we need it most...” (Hebrews 4:16 NLT).
God’s people are empowered and strengthened in their personal, professional, and ministerial life because the GIFT of God’s GRACE is always with them. “...By the grace of God I am what I am...” (1 Corinthians 15:10 KJV).
“...his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain...” (1 Corinthians 15:10 KJV).
“...I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me...” (1 Corinthians 15:10 KJV).
“...the grace of God which was with me...” (1 Corinthians 15:10 KJV).
God’s GRACE is UNIQUE to God and his HOLY nature. God’s kind of GRACE is really NOT a natural response for most human beings.
Extending GRACE means that you WILL NOT treat a person according to their wrongs towards you. “…“My grace is all you need. …”“… MY GRACE is sufficient for thee…” (2 Corinthians 12:9; 2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV & NLT).
“…In this world [God’s people]... are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). They are to “...Be[come] … imitators of [Jesus]…” (Hebrews 12:14; Ephesians 5:1 ASV). “… growing in every way more and more like Christ…” (Ephesians 4:14-16 NLT).
Nonetheless, when someone does you wrong it is a GREAT temptation to do them wrong too through revenge, defense, violence, mistreatment, or a nasty, harsh physical or verbal response. “…The Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt.
“But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’ Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt. “But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.
“His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full. “When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened.
Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.
“That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart…” (Matthew 18:23-35 NLT).
God’s GRACE says: “…love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another…” (John 13:34-35 KJV).
Therefore, “…As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise…” (Luke 6:31 KJV).
“…Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that’s charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that…” (Luke 6:31-34 MSG).
God’s GRACE heals. “…I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him…” (Hosea 14:4 KJV).
God’s GRACE is compassionate, listens, and responds kindly. “…My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…” (James 1:19 NIV). “…A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger…” (Proverbs 15:1 NIV).
“…The older counselors replied, "If you are good to these people and do your best to please them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your loyal subjects…" (2 Chronicles 10:7 NLT).
God’s GRACE is all his people NEED. “…“My grace is all you need. …” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT). God’s GRACE, within the “covenant unity” relationship with his people, is FAITHFULLY demonstrated. “…The GIFT by grace……” (Romans 5:15 KJV). “…He … remains faithful (in his demonstration of GRACE) …” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
“...even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ...” (Romans 5:10-16 NLT).
GRACE is God, the Holy Spirit’s unconditional LOVE expressed and demonstrated. “…God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). “...Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (substitute, intervention) for our sins...” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “…Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God …” (1 Peter 3:18 KJV).
Grace, God, the Holy Spirit’s love expressed and demonstrated, is the unmerited and undeserving treatment toward those who don’t deserve it, who didn’t earn it, and weren’t worthy of it. “…Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners…” (Romans 5:6-8 NLT). “…“My grace is all you need. …” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT). “… My grace is sufficient for thee: …” (2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV).
Human beings, no matter how decent, will NEVER be an immutable source of grace. GRACE is an immutable attribute of God, only, and it is GOVERNED by HOLY LOVE.
It is always a FIRST response from God, but not always from humans. When Israel had wronged God he responded by saying: “…I WILL heal their apostasy (I will heal their unfaithfulness toward me through GRACE), I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from them.…” (Hosea 14:4 KJV). “…Where sin increased, [My]...grace abounded all the more…” (Romans 5:20 NASB).
God’s “…grace is sufficient for you…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB). His “…love covereth a multitude of sins…” (Proverbs 10:12, 1 Peter 4:8 ASV). His “…Mercy triumphs over judgement.” (James 2:13 NASB). “…I WILL HEAL their apostasy, I will love them freely…” (Hosea 14:4 KJV).
God, the Holy Spirit’s GRACE is incomparable. Look what the ungrateful servant did: “…his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt. “But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment. “His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full…” (Matthew 18:23-35 NLT).
The bible says: “…A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another…” (John 13:34-35 KJV). “…Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!” (Matthew 18:21-22 NLT).
“…I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too…” (Mark 11:24-25 NLT).
We can’t always redeem ourselves from the wrongs or offenses committed against others. “...His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full…” (Matthew 18:23-35 NLT).
Many of us have often felt like the fellow servant who owed a “few thousand dollars”: “…he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment. “His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full…” (Matthew 18:23-35 NLT).
All of God’s people make mistakes with those they love and care for, whether intentionally or unintentionally, whether real or imagined, whether true or false, and no matter what, they simply can’t FIX it.
God’s people learn through these experiences, hard as they are to process through, human beings ARE NOT their SOURCE of continual or ongoing GRACE.
“...If [God’s people]... confess [their] sins, [God, the Holy Spirit] is [the] faithful [ONE who is]... just [and ready to]... forgive ... [their] sins, and to cleanse [them]... from all unrighteousness…” (1 John 1:9 KJV).
HIS GRACIOUS and unconditional LOVE covers over MANY wrongs and offenses made by his people. “…For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more…" (Hebrews 8:12 NIV). His “…love covereth a multitude of sins…” (Proverbs 10:12, 1 Peter 4:8 ASV).
When you truly and authentically experience his LOVING GRACE you will choose to love like that too. “...We love, because he first loved us...” (1 John 4:19 ASV). "…For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little…" (Luke 7:47 NASB).
God’s GRACE-filled and UNCONDITIONAL “…LOVE is patient, [God’s grace-filled]…love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. …[God’s grace-filled]…love never fails...” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV).
Truly God’s “…grace is sufficient for you…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB). “…I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely…” (Hosea 14:4 KJV). “…I will restore… and I will heal thee of the wounds, saith the Lord…” (Jeremiah 30:17 KJV). God is a “…restorer of thy life…” (Ruth 4:15 KJV). ….The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT). God’s “…grace is sufficient for you…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB).
“...In this world we are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). God makes it clear about walking in GRACE. “…DO NOT repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing…” (1 Peter 3:9 NIV). “…May the GRACE of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people…” (Revelations 22:21 NLT).
“...God’s wonderful grace...” (Romans 5:10-16 NLT). “…The GIFT by grace……” (Romans 5:15 KJV). “… “God with us…” (Matthew 1:23 NASB). “…God has said “Never will I leave you (without my GRACE); never will I forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV).
“…I AM [and my GRACE is]... WITH YOU ALWAYS, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV). “…Behold, I AM [and my GRACE is]... WITH… [my people] … and … I WILL NOT LEAVE [them] …." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).
“… The LORD thy God …will not fail thee, nor forsake thee…” (Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV). “… Behold, I am [and my GRACE is]... with … [my people] and will keep … [them] whithersoever [they]… goest…I [nor my GRACE]... will not leave [them] ..." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).
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