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Visitations of Grace

Introduction:

  • Grace is a divine gift, given freely to us in various ways 
  • In spiritual life, God's grace plays a big role 
    • God's grace leads to repentance
      • Give examples; after St Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost, "Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart" Acts 2:37
    • God's grace stops us from falling in sin 
      • Give examples
    • God's grace encourages us to attain virtues 
      • Give examples

Visitations of Grace:

  • Sometimes we find ourselves moved towards doing what is good - especially in the spiritual field 
  • This is the work of God's grace
  • The fathers refer to that as a "visitation of grace"
    • We are "visited" by God's grace which encourages us to do good at the moment 
      • Examples
  • Christ
knocking on the door 
  • Fear is also considered a result from God's grace

    • What are they 

    When do they happen 

    • We could be "visited" by God's grace at any time
    • God's grace works in everyone 

    What should be our response towards them 

    • It is important to note that God's grace works in us to produce good works but it does NOT force us to do good works 
      • Grace is an internal movement towards what is good and Godly, but it does not force or pushes you to do anything, the decision has to come from you 
    • God's grace works is us all the time. However, the question is do we work with it or not?

    What prevents God's grace from us 

    • “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts" Hebrews 3:15
      • "Hear His voice" is the work of grace, "harden your hearts" is our response towards it
    • Pharaoh returen then changes his mind - response to grace then abandons it 
    • Satan opposes God's grace 
      • go reconcile - how about my dignity 

    How to benefit from the visitations of grace

    • Do not say my will is weak, God's grace can strengthen your will - but you should respond to it 
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