Did you notice what was upon them? Grace, What was this grace? Christ's character. Let me back that up with the following quotation from Christ's Object Lessons: "To learn of Christ means to receive His grace, which is His character." There are many references along this line, but this is probably the clearest one. So what was being described when we read that "great grace was upon then all"? We are reading about a church were the character of Christ was srtongly implanted upon the members.
This implanting explains why the people looking upon the Ephesus church members knew that they had been with Jesus These believers were true disciples and were reflecting their Teacher; they were doing what disciples are supposed to do. Whose character were they reflecting? Christ's! As a result, their characters were molded in such a way that they continually reminded others of Jesus. I can hear bystanders saying "Why, that's what Jesus was like." Are people saying that about us in our day? Should that be happening in our day? Absolutely, and when it happens, people will flock to the church--you won't be able to hold them back, and it will surely happen! We read further, "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved'. Acts 2:47 The Spirit of Christ animated the whole congregation; for they had found the Pearl of great price."
I never realized that Grace was Christ's character, but it makes perfect sense that it is. It is also unmerited favor, something we have not earned but a gift from Christ because of His death on the cross. He is willing to forgive us and see us as one who has not sinned, He also loves us as He loves His Son. That's great grace, something we cannot earn in any degree, but is a great gift to us who confess and repent of the sinful life that we have lived. What a gift! Nothing exceeds it! Let's be faithful so we may have that Great Grace upon us and may represent Christ in all our life. Grandma Joan
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