Prevenient Has Latin Roots  – It would be quite convenient to know where the word prevenient comes from. Can you find two relatives of “prevenient” in that sentence? You probably guessed that “convenient” is a cousin – and you’re right; it derives from the Latin verb convenire, meaning “to come together or “to be suitable,” which is itself from venire, meaning “to come.” “Prevenient,” which first appeared in English in the 17th century, comes to us from the Latin praevenire (“to come before” or “to anticipate”), which is also from “venire.” The other (albeit distant) relative of “prevenient” in the opening sentence is “come”; it shares an ancient ancestor with “venire.” Source Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Prevenient Grace was knew to me and difficult to recognize at the time of its installation in my life. The fact that God anticipated a specific need in my life does not equate to my recognition of that need. I will never know what might have befallen me without prevenient grace. I might have died before coming to know Christ. It is possible. I will never know because God’s grace in that moment was foreknowledge on His part.

This differs greatly from the grace wherein I stand today. I recognize the need, its issues, its abundance and reason. The shift from prevenient grace to all the other types of grace is in the anticipation. I am now the author of anticipation, not because I am wise or prophetic. It is because I am experienced.

Convenient grace has the ability to replace itself within the user’s warehouse of grace. We have been given the ability to extend grace, issued from this warehouse, without fear of ever running out.

Proverbs 3:9-10 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

Philippians 1:8a For God is my witness

A witness is more than an observer, he speaks out in defense of the truth. What better witness could you have other than God Himself?

I would love to believe that I am in fellowship with men and women that can hear God’s witness of my words and actions. People in general are quick to judge, but Christ implores us not to be that way.

John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Since none are righteous but Christ, I defer to His witness of the truth in these matters. That is not an easy thing to do, I admit. Tender hearted people wound easily but I have learned this from Paul’s experiences.

Philippians 1:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

It is easier to take a wound for a good cause. Being able to see that in those moments is not easy. It takes a deep abiding relationship with He who loves perfectly and whose witness is true.

John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Listen carefully.