Do we understand God’s grace? Let’s talk about “Exploring the True Meaning of Grace in the Bible”.
According to Dictionary of Bible Themes, grace (1055) is:
‘The qualities of God’s character by which he shows himself compassionate, accepting, and generous to sinful human beings, shielding them from his wrath, forgiving them, and bestowing on them his righteousness so that they can live and grow in faith and obedience. Grace and mercy are particularly expressed through God’s covenant with his chosen people and through Jesus Christ’s atoning death on the cross.”
To simplify, grace is God’s unmerited favor which He bestows on man. Baker’s Theological Dictionary of the Bible says this is the important theological concept of grace. It’s a attribute of God and it comes through Jesus Christ.
Here are questions for discussion:
- Why is grace important?
- Who can receive grace?
- Who needs grace?
- More benefits of grace.
Why is grace important?
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God_not by works, so that no one can boast.”
“Paul again reminds his readers (cf. v.5) that they owe their salvation entirely to the undeserved favor of God. “Grace” is the objective, operative, and instrumental cause of salvation. Paul expands v.5 by adding that the medium that apprehends salvation is “faith”, which is also its necessary condition. Faith, however, is not something a person can produce; it is simply a trustful response that is itself evoked by the Holy Spirit.
Lest faith should be in any way misinterpreted as our contributing in any way to our own salvation, Paul immediately adds a rider to explain that nothing is of our own doing; rather, everything is the “gift of God.” The entire process of salvation comes from nothing that we have done (cf. Ro 10:17).” Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament Copyright 2004.
There is no salvation without God’s grace. Grace is so significant in salvation that it doesn’t exist without it.
Acts 4:12 NIV “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Who Needs grace?
Romans 3:21-24 NIV “But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
- But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known,– God’s “righteousness” (i.e., his method of bringing people into right relation to himself) is “apart from law.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament Copyright 2004. God’s righteousness is now through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.
- All have sinned (Jews and Gentiles) and fall short of God’s glory. No matter how good we think we are, we can never be on the level of God. Therefore, it’s useless to try.
Who can receive grace?
2 Peter 3:9 NIV “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Peter is talking to Christians about those who scoff at Christ’s second coming. God’s promise of His appearing will happen as He plans. His delay is for those who haven’t trusted yet. In His mercy, He wants everyone to come through Jesus Christ.
More benefits of grace
Access to the Throne of Grace
Hebrews 4:16 NIV “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
We are able to go to God and lay our problems before Him with confidence that He will help us. This comes from God’s mercy and grace because of His love for His children.
Grace in weakness
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Paul had asked for the removal of a “thorn in the flesh.” The Lord did not take it away but promised that His grace could help him in his weakness. We know the Lord will help us in trials because of His faithfulness.
Sin has no dominance in the Christian’s life
Romans 6:14 NIV “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”
At the moment of salvation, we are under grace. This enables us to keep sin from taking over our life when we are depending on God.
Gifts are a manifestation of grace
1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
Each Christian has been endowed with a gift and enabled by the Holy Spirit to use. The type of gift is not important, but how we glorify the Lord is.
A holy calling
1 Timothy 1:9 NIV “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,”
God through Jesus Christ has called us to live holy in His name. This is for God’s purpose so we can be an example to those who do not know the Lord. We can only be holy by God’s grace. This was intended from the beginning.
Conclusion
Romans 5:1-2 NIV “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.”
God’s Word is always enlightening. Going over these passages about grace confirms what it means to the plan of salvation. God’s grace is the basis for the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ who died on the cross and was resurrected.
Grace is something we cannot earn. It can only be a free gift. Thank God for His indescribable gift!
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