Written by Roger D. Campbell
If today has felt like a really bad day, there is great news that can help lift your spirits. What is that news? God’s grace is wonderful. It really is.
In the New Testament, the word “grace” is from a Greek word (“χάρις/charis”) which means “good will, loving-kindness, favour” [Thayer, word no. 5485 via e-Sword]. The Bible speaks about grace being shown by humans as they interact with one another and when they express thanks to the Lord for His blessings. But in this study, we want to concentrate on God’s grace.
The God of heaven has always been a God of grace. In 1 Peter 5:10, He is described as “the God of all grace.” The Lord said this about Himself: “For I am the LORD, I do not change . . .” (Malachi 3:6). So, what should we conclude? God’s character/nature does not change. Whatever He is like now, He was like that in the past. Whatever He was like in the past, He is like that now.
When the world was a corrupt mess in the days of Noah, Noah chose to walk with God. The Bible says, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:8). After Lot and his family were spared from destruction in Sodom, Lot acknowledged that he had found “favor” (“grace,” KJV) in the Lord’s sight (Genesis 19:19). The prophet Jonah spoke of the Lord as “a gracious and merciful God” (Jonah 4:2). While the fullness of God’s grace is made available through Jesus and His new covenant, God has always been a God of grace, yes, even in the Old Testament era.
What does the grace of God provide for mankind? In the Scriptures, we learn that God’s grace provides:
· Salvation – “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11). · A Savior – The divine plan was: “. . . Jesus . . . by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9).
· The gospel – Paul was prepared “to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24), and he called the gospel “the word of His grace” (20:32).
· All spiritual blessings, including forgiveness – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ . . . In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:3,7)
· The church of the Christ – The church, which Jesus purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28), is part of God’s eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:11) to save lost people by grace (Ephesians 2:5). By His grace, Jesus saves the church (Ephesians 5:23).
· The hope of heaven – Notice the connection between grace, heaven, and hope: “Because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel . . . and knew the grace of God in truth” (Colossians 1:5,6; emphasis mine, rdc). Without grace, there would be no heaven!
· Abilities, roles, and opportunities – Always mindful of his ugly past, the apostle Paul took comfort in knowing, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain . . .” (1 Corinthians 15:10).
· Ongoing forgiveness for imperfect people – God’s great message for Christians is, “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin . . . If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:7,9).
Yes, as the old-time spiritual song says, our great God has “Amazing Grace.” Without it, we would be helpless, hopeless, and doomed. While God’s grace that brings salvation is made available to all (Titus 2:11), in the spiritual realm, His grace can be received in only one place: “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1).
Remember, God’s gracious nature does not remove or reduce His other attributes, such as His holiness, justice, and severity. His grace does not take away His law (Galatians 6:2) or our obligation to obey Him, nor does it negate the seriousness of sin. Let us be grateful for God’s grace every day of our lives! At the same time, let us never fall into the trap of misrepresenting it or trying to abuse it.