Jesus came not just to bring us favour; Grace is much more than that.

John 1:16 We have received the fullness of Jesus and grace for grace.

When asked to define grace we often hear it said that - "Grace is unmerited pardon or favour."

This is well meant but doesn't go even half-way to telling the full story. As you can see from the verse quoted above we have received the fullness of Jesus and grace for grace. The grace we have is the grace that Jesus had; grace for grace.

Now this begs the question? What did Jesus need grace for? Did Jesus need to be pardoned? Obviously not! He was sinless. We also learn elsewhere that Jesus grew in grace...

Luke 2:4 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of God was upon Him.

God's grace is God's empowerment to do His will and do exploits. Just as we live through the faith of Jesus, we live by the grace we get from Jesus. We see in Titus that it's this grace that empowers us to say NO to all ungodliness.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age....

It's the grace of God that enables us to carry out Jesus' commission to His believers to 'heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out devils'. While we think that grace is just unmerited favour we will think that we have no ability to do anything useful for God; that we just have to wait for the return of Jesus when He will do everything. On the other hand Jesus said, "As the Father sent me, so I send you!".

If we don't believe we have the authority to do anything, will we exhibit the faith to try? I wonder?

We do have the authority in us though; God's grace; so it's up to us to be believers who actually believe and access this grace by faith.