GOD’S GRACE IN THE BIBLE

                             

Grace of God as taught in the Bible is very unique. God being absolutely holy, sinful man is out of favor with Him. Man can not earn His favor by any means. What allows man to receive benefits from God, such as rain and sunshine, is His common grace. But, His special grace, made available through Jesus Christ is the basis for all spiritual blessings.  

God’s grace, as manifested in the Bible is of great value to man. In the New Testament, we see it in all its beauty and fullness. Speaking about the birth of Jesus, John (1:14, 16) says, “The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  “For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace upon grace.” Grace is expressed through Christ.

MEANING OF GRACE:

Grace is understood as unmerited favor. A helpful acronym of ‘GRACE’ is, ‘God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense’. But, the meaning of grace becomes clearer, when it is considered along side of justice and mercy.

Justice – God handing out to a sinner what he deserves – divine wrath.

Mercy - God withholding from a sinner what he deserves – withholding punishment.

Grace   - God bestowing on a sinner the opposite of what he deserves – divine favor.

Grace is spiritual favor, shown by a loving God to sinners, who are under His wrath. It is only at God’s initiative, freely through Jesus Christ. Grace is manifested in all areas, such as, salvation from sin, sanctification (spiritual growth), service to God and glorification.

GRACE IN SALVATION:

Hebrew 2:9 says that Christ experienced death by the grace of God, to save sinners.  Romans 4:25 says that it is because of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; God graciously justifies those who believe in Him. Romans 3:24 says that sinners are justified as a gift, by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. (Justification means – an act of God whereby, He declares the believing sinners to be as perfect as Jesus Christ. It is a judicial or legal act.) Justification is a grace gift and it can only be received by faith. Ephesians 2:8, 9 says, “By grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.”

GRACE IN SANCTIFICATION:

Sanctification is a progressive work of grace, in those who have been justified by grace through faith. This is positive growth in practical righteousness and Christ-likeness. It is a work of the Holy Spirit, using God’s Word and in co-operation with the believers.

John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”

Acts 20:32, “I commend you to God and to the Word of His grace which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among those who are sanctified.”

The transformation of believers from glory to glory is by the Spirit. II Corinthians 3:18. And, Christ-like virtues are produced in believers by the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22, 23. 

GRACE IN SERVICE:

Paul states that he was called by God’s grace to serve Him. Ephesians 3:7, 8

God gives the gifts of the Spirit to all believers to serve and glorify Him. I Peter 4:11

Paul testifies that by God’s grace, he labored more than the others. I Corinthians 15:10

GRACE IN GLORIFICATION:

The Second Coming of Christ is the greatest hope of all believers, when they shall be transformed into His glorious likeness. Peter calls it, grace brought to the believers.

I Peter 1:13 says, “…..fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

I John 3:2, “…..We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.”

GRACE ABUSED OR UNAVAILED:

I Corinthians 15:10 says, that in Paul’s life God’s grace was not in vain as in some others.

 Jude 4 shows, how the ungodly persons turned the grace of God into licentiousness.

 James 4:6 and I Peter 5:5,  that the proud can not avail of God’s grace.

GOD PURPOSES GLORY OF HIS GRACE:

God by His own grace initiative has planned and provided for all spiritual blessings, for His chosen ones, in Christ Jesus. His purpose in all this is, “To the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed upon us in the Beloved.”  Ephesians 1:6, 8, 12

APPLICATION:

Have an attitude of humility before God – remembering He opposes the proud.

Live a life of dependence on the grace of God, in all areas of life.

Be a trophy of God’s grace for His glory.