This is the last post in our series on the attributes of God.
When we speak of God’s attributes, we are talking about those characteristics that help us to understand who He truly is. One of these attributes is “gracious.”
Where it is in the Bible
“The Lord is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works.”
(Psalm 145:17)
“Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name.”
(Romans 1:5)
“[We] being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
(Romans 3:24)
“But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one Jesus Christ, abounded to many. Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.”
(Romans 5:15,20)
“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”
(Ephesians 4:7)
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
(Hebrews 4:16)
What it means
Grace is the bestowal of blessing unearned or unmerited. When we speak of God’s grace, we speak of those wonderful gifts (e.g., salvation) that no man deserves but God grants anyway. There are several methods by which God demonstrates His grace to us. There is what we call “common grace” — this is that grace that God shines upon the elect and the wicked alike. This kind of grace is God’s bestowal of non-eternal blessings (e.g., health, prosperity, good weather, the Sunday comics, &c.); in fact, life itself is a gift of common grace to the non-believer since sinful man deserves nothing but death (cf. Genesis 2:15-17 and Romans 6:23). He does not have to give life to any one, no one can demand it from Him, and He can take it when He pleases. The other kind of grace is that special grace which God demonstrates on those whom he inexplicably chooses to be His people. Just as He did with national Israel (cf. Deuteronomy 7:6-8), God chooses His children not because they are more powerful, wise, intelligent, charismatic, pious, handsome, &c., but simply because that is what He wanted.
Why it matters
This grace is amazing for it relies not at all upon us, but solely upon God and His will, rather than any service or good we are capable to render. This grace also causes us to throw ourselves at the feet of the Lord in praise and rejoicing for His pleasure in granting us salvation.
Michael Rodgers says
September 19, 2015 at 6:18 amGod’s Grace is amazing. In the full context of His Word, God makes it clear He is not capricious as we humans. Therefore, in the sense of “picking and choosing” (“inexplicably chooses to be His people” – no, God always explains why He chooses) who is saved and who is lost as might be interpreted from the “What it Means” section above, I would point to God’s Word to better grasp His offer of salvation. It is unlimited by Him; it limited by us. Jesus often spoke of this…e.g. “thy faith hath made thee whole” (Matthew 9:22), “And ye will not come to me, that ye may have life” (John 5:40). God’s unlimited Grace – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). He has given us the freedom to choose or reject the Grace of Salvation. Sadly, most of the world rejects in rebellion. The wonder of God that often perplexes us, as well as, is often lost in our theological meditations is that God sees from eternity; past and future. He knows who will say yes and who will reject. That does not impede on His character of love or justice. We are elect if we choose yes. We are lost if we fail to accept Him as Lord and Savior.
In Love of Christ’s Promise,
Michael