Grace

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Grace

We talk about being the recipients of the Grace of God, so what is this Grace we are talking about?

God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense

Today is the day of Grace, which means that we are now living in a time where the extension of God’s goodness is still available to anyone who reaches out for it in humility. This is the Grace given to all men. There is still time to repent, confess and forsake sin and the way of the world. It is like the grace period the banker gives us to pay on a loan. As long as I make payments on time, I have grace. If I fail to make a payment then I fall out of grace and become guilty. Sin is the debt that we owe for which Jesus has paid for. Therefore, Grace is not something that we can make up on our own, but a place we can enter after our sins are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. This Grace, which is only made possible by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, is free for anyone who repents, and accepts it in faith.  

In this sense Grace embodies time and a free gift given to man.

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In the Grace we as Christians talk about there is favor with God. Strength to bear trials and temptations are also attributes. Often in prayer we ask the Lord to give us grace and strength.

In this sense Grace embodies strength and favor.

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Peace in our heart is also evidence of God’s abiding Grace.

In this sense Grace embodies rest.

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We sing the song, “Grace Dear Lord, grace, dear Lord, to sweetly obey Thy will.”[1] This would indicate a power that it gives us to be obedient and suffer hardship.

In this sense Grace embodies power.

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We also talk about spurning the Grace of God. In other words, we do not listen to God’s reproofs or simply walk away therefore falling out of Grace.  

In this sense Grace is my responsibility to retain.

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Grace is not something tangible that we can see like things in the world around us.

In this sense, Grace is a thing of faith.

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Grace is something we grasp by faith in God and belief that Jesus died and paid for our sins. It is by Grace through faith we come into acceptance of God. The essence of it is peace, joy, and freedom. When it is real in our hearts, we grasp in a small measure the boundless love of God to save a sinner such as me. It is this same Grace and acceptance of God that one day will allow us to enter those heavenly mansions prepared for the saved.

In this sense Grace embodies the whole plan of salvation.

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For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

(Titus 2:11-14)

And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

(1 Timothy 1:14)

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

(Titus 3:4-7)

 

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[1] A Prayer for Grace

Ross H, Minkler