NOTE:  Here we see that grace is used again, and defined as: 1) strength and 2) power.  There is little room for confusion!  Biblical grace is the power of God to help mankind with infirmities.  In this definition, Paul states he "glories in his infirmities" (happy to be made aware of his short comings) so that he can have the power of grace to help him meet the divine standard.  One of the keys to receiving grace is ones awareness of his or her NEED!  In other words, if you do not think you need grace, you will not receive it!  The awareness of the "need" for grace is manifested in understanding the spiritual weaknesses that encumbers the person.  Grace is therefore for the purpose of supplying an absence of spiritual power to benefit Christians that have faith.  

3) Ephesians 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. KJV

NOTE:  The gift of grace is given by "effectual working of His power."  Grace is therefore, the enabling ability supplied to people to meet the will of God for their lives.   Paul was a POWERFUL minister, this POWER was not his own, but the gift of grace that enabled him to do the things he did! The effectual working power of God in the life is called GRACE!

Jesus Christ said in John 10:35, that the scriptures can not be broken, which means there is perfect harmony within the Word of God.  In 2 Peter 1:21 we see that scripture was given by the movements or direction of the Holy Spirit.  To imply that the Bible disagrees would be to step outside of faith, into the infidel arena.  Rather, we must simply go to the Bible with an open mind and a prayerful heart and allow the harmony of scripture to be seen, and the truth to be unfolded. 
  
In Ephesians we see an application of grace and what it brings to the person, and in this case it brings acceptance with God.   Given the previous definitions of grace, we are made acutely aware that acceptance with God is from the grace of God, which is the power of God in the life!  It would be safe therefore, to say if you do not have God's power manifested in the life, then you are not accepted. 

Ephesians 1:6-7
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; KJV

The Bible clearly indicates that in Ephesians 1:6, acceptance with God is from the "glory of his grace." We are "accepted" from the "glory of his grace." In fact, in Ephesians 2:8 the Bible says: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" KJV.  Grace is obtained from the person having the blessing of faith in their life; therefore faith opens up the person's life for the reception of grace (power of God). Not only are we accepted "in Christ," by grace, but we are "saved," as well. It is clear that acceptance and salvation are similar, for if Christ accepts us we are saved by His grace. This is why the term "glory of his grace" is so ably used! It is glorious for Christ to give us grace, and thereby accept us and save us! Note in verse 7 of Ephesians chapter one, we see that this is called redemption.

Grace is the power that comes to our life from our belief in Christ's blood sacrifice for us, and we are then able to receive forgiveness of sins, and the power of grace to not live in those sins any more.  In John 8:11, when Jesus Christ told the woman caught in adultery "go and sin no more," He was also giving her spiritual power to help her with that task of leaving off her sins.  What was that POWER that helped her to stop living in known sin?Grace! Grace! Grace! 

What are we saved from, that we need the gift of grace? Meaning, we are accepted and saved by His grace but why?  Why does Jesus Christ need to give us grace? And since Ephesians 1:6-7, show we are accepted "in Christ" ONLY as we are receiving grace, then it is extremely important to know what grace does for us in relation to salvation!

Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. KJV

In summary, we see that being "in Christ," is a term that is used to define the benefits of salvation.  If a person is "in Christ" they have faith which leads to the reception of grace. Salvation is the process whereby we are saved from our personal sins. The benefits of salvation are the reception of grace that gives us wisdom, redemption, righteousness, sanctification, and glory (1 Cor 1:30). These wonderful aspects of our salvation are the direct benefit of acceptance "in Christ" by the gift of grace (Eph 2:8). This gift is what saves us from our sins. Nowhere, is the thought of righteousness by "self works." It is clear that salvation is from what Christ does in giving the gift of grace, and that "grace" is the sole reason for acceptance. This is a point that neither evangelicals nor Bible Christians would challenge! It is clear without any haziness, clouds, or muddied waters. 

But let's look at the broader implication of grace and our acceptance.  If grace is that which causes us to be accepted with God, and grace is the power we yield to, in order to not partake of or yield to our sinful desires, then grace is the active component in the removal of sin from the life.  It is that which "saves from sin" (Matthew 1:21).  It is the mechanism that Jesus Christ uses to save His people from sin!  Grace is not "unmerited favor" bestowed upon people that are continuing to yield the will to their sinful, carnal desires.  It is a regenerating agency that empowers the will to make efficacious its "new born" desires to yield to righteousness. 

It breaks the bond of slavery that has been cast upon the will through habitualdegradation in sin.  Meaning, as the will has become accustom to yielding to wickedness, it is somewhat paralyzed or palsied in its attempts to follow righteousness, therefore,grace is the liberator and sustainer of a will that chooses to follow a different master.  It is the power that accompanies the demand of faith.

Therefore, if you do not have "Biblical grace" in the life, then you are not accepted, because you are in sin.  If you are in sin, you are not accepting grace and are living in the lusts of the sinful flesh, and your will is not sanctified.  Grace is the power that liberates the enslaved will, to choose righteousness, which is obedience to moral law, as expressed in the Ten Commandments.

In Daniel chapter 12 and verse 10, we see that the wise were to be purified and "made" white, while the wicked, would not understand, and they would continue to do wickedly. Let us look at this verse a little closer and make sure we receive the full implications of what is being said.

Daniel 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. KJV

NOTE:
1) Many shall be; a) purified, b) made white, and c) tried!

2) But the wicked shall not understand these things! Thus, they will not be purified, made white or tried. There will be an absence of understanding of these things on the "wicked people's" behalf.

3) In contrast to the wicked, we see the "wise" and that the wise will not only understand, the terms; purified, made white, tried, but they will experience them!

4) Therefore, the wise will be a purified, made white, and tried group of individuals.

5) If wisdom is an attribute of grace (Luke 2:40), then the "wise" are not only partakers of grace, but they are yielding the will to righteousness, and thereby forming habits of obedience, and manifesting the divine nature (2 Pet 1:4, Rom 8:4).   

6) In contrast to the "wise" we have the "wicked" which are in fact, not experiencing "Biblical grace" but rather have a "do nothing" grace that is pure sentimentalism, that denies the life giving experience of victory over sinful choices. 

7) In conclusion, the wicked in Daniel 12:10 are not "in Christ," but are in fact deceived by the "false gospel" of "do nothing" grace.  They are partakers of a "feel good in your sin," but deny the power to have a victorious life, experience, which is lifeless Christianity. 

8) Therefore, it is clear from the context of Daniel 12:10, that the wicked are in factprofessed Christians, as it says they shall not understand.  This carries an inherent thought that they are somewhat desirous to know the truth, just not willing to walk in it, and therefore not given an understanding or experience of true "Biblical grace." 

9) Understanding comes from a knowledge of the law of God (Hosea 4:6, Psalm 111:10), therefore, the "wicked" not having an understanding, implies that they have no desire to obey, the eternal standard of righteousness.  Therefore, they would have no need of agrace that has power to regenerate the palsied will from sin.  They would prefer  a grace that is defined as God's favor and that is it!  But a grace that would give them victory over sin, would be foreign to them.  They do not understand what true grace isbecause they are not seeking to live a victorious life, and in that case they must settle for adifferent definition of grace to fit their views.   However, the Bible view stands!

1 Corinthians 1:29-31
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. KJV

In 1 Corinthians 1:29-31, we see that wisdom is derived from being "in Christ." In verse 29, we see that no flesh should glory in His presence, so it is clear that the flesh has no glory, and is not "in Christ."  Being "in the flesh" according to Romans 6:19, is yielding to the infirmity of man, that results in committing uncleanness and iniquity.  So we see a clear contrast in 1 Cor 1:29 and 30, where the flesh is actively participating in sin, and in verse 30 being "in Christ" is the opposite, which is actively participating in righteousness. The flesh has nothing to glory in, but the state of being "in Christ" contains glory.  Therefore, in verse 31 we see that glory comes from being in Christ, which is a state of sanctification, wisdom etc.  Grace is then the dividing point or factor between being "in the flesh" and being "in Christ."  Grace then, is spiritual power to live a life free of "uncleanness and iniquity" and we only have grace if we are truly "in Christ."  
   
And in Daniel 12:10 being wise, incorporates being purified, made white, and tried.Wisdom we have seen is the result of grace (Luke 2:40). So it is safe to conclude that being "in Christ" and receiving wisdom which is the wonderful byproduct of grace, and grace is that which brings the experience of purification, being made white, and tried; then "Biblical grace" is more than just unmerited favor.

Please note the term "made white" is more fully defined in Revelation 19:8 as therighteousness of the saints.

Rev 19:8 "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." KJV.

To be made white is to have righteousness! If you will quickly remember, that righteousness was derived from being "in Christ" (1 Cor 1:30,31), through the process of purifying trials (Dan 12:10). Therefore, grace is what gives us the righteousness, through a process and experience.  This Biblical experience leaves little room for a do nothing grace! 

Righteousness is therefore, the end result of the purification process that makes the person  white, and gives  a trying  experience, so  that grace can transform a person, and they will be saved from their sins (Matt 1:21). A wise person can not help but plainly see that grace does not just sit around and do nothing. It (grace) brings an experience to the individual! The fact that grace is a free gift (Eph 2:8) does not lead a person to conclude that the gift of grace just sits there and does not have a meaningful purpose or function. Rather, it imparts an experience of removing sin from the life, by purification, and trials, and provides the life with wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.

There are two definitions of grace, one leads to the state of wickedness in the life, and theother leads to the state of righteousness in the life. 

This makes some believe that there are two forms of Christians, one that is wicked andcommitting iniquity, and the other that is wise and committing righteousness.  One that is "in Christ" and one that is not!  When Christ returns, there is a group of professedChristians that have seemingly been serving Him by doing all types of evangelistic work, but Christ rejects them because of iniquity in the life.  (Remember the parable of the ten virgins!)

Matthew 7:21-23
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. KJV

Now is the time to make a decision to receive the gift of grace.  Now is the time to realize our infirmities and sins, so that the power of Christ can rest upon us.  Now is the time to study the Word of God for a BIBLICAL understanding of the truths that are so essential for our salvation.  Now is the time to serve the LORD with the gift of grace, so that we can be ministers, according to the effectual working of His power!  Is that your desire to have your life transformed by a "LIVING GRACE" and to forsake the idea of a grace that has no purpose or function in the life?  Is is your desire to hear "well done good and faithful servant," or "depart from me ye that work iniquity?"  Now is the time to decide!

Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation , and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. KJV

Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. KJV

2 Corinthians 6:2-3
2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: KJV

1 Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf,  for the grace of God which is given you 
by Jesus Christ;