Grace
Favor or kindness shown without regard to the worth or merit of the one who
receives it, and in spite of what that person deserves. Grace is one of the key
attributes of God. The Lord God is “merciful and gracious, long suffering, and
abounding in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:9), therefore grace is almost always
associated with mercy, love, compassion, and patience.
Although the grace of God is always free and underserved, it must not be taken for
granted. Grace is only enjoyed within the covenant. The gift is given by God and
the gift is received by people through repentance and faith (Amos 5:15, Psalms 89:
31-37). We see this clearly by watching Israel; God sent them into captivity when
they would transgress (Ephesians 2:8).
It is by God’s grace alone that we are saved when we make Jesus our Lord
(Romans 3:24, Ephesians 1:2-7).
Grace is to be humbly sought through the prayer of faith (Malachi 1:9, James 4:6).
God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
The grace of God was supremely revealed and given in the person and work of
Jesus Christ. Jesus was not only the beneficiary of God’s grace (Luke 2:40) but
was also its very embodiment (John 1:14, 16-17). Bringing it to humankind for
salvation (Titus 2:11). By His death and resurrection, Jesus restored the broken
fellowship between God and His people, both Jew and Gentile. The only way of
salvation for any person is “through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 15:
11).
The grace of God revealed in Jesus Christ is applied to human being for their
salvation by the Holy Spirit, who is called “the Spirit of grace” (Hebrews 10:29).
The Spirit is the one who binds Christ to His people so that they receive
forgiveness, adoption to sonship, and newness of life, as well as to everyone the
spiritual gift of grace (Ephesians 4:7).
The Law of Moses revealed the righteous will of God in the midst of pagan
darkness. It was God’s gracious gift to Israel (Deuteronomy 4:7-8). But His will
was made complete when Jesus brought the Gospel of Grace into the world (John
1:17).
The theme of grace is especially prominent in the letters of Paul. He sets grace
radically over against the law and works of the law (Romans 3:24, 28). Paul makes
it abundantly clear that salvation is not something that can be earned. It can be
received only as a gift of grace (Romans 4:4). Grace, however, must be
accompanied by faith, a person must trust in the mercy and favor of God, even
while it is underserved (Romans 4:16, Galatians 2:16).
Grace is not to be taken for granted, it does not cover sins committed on purpose
(Rom 6:1-2, Titus 2:11-12).
We are to be simply vessels for God’s grace to show through.