The Nature of the Divine Blessings of Grace and Peace
For many believers, the concept of grace goes little
beyond the basic definition of "unmerited favor" or "the
free gift of God," but since grace is at the very heart, indeed, the
very foundation of true Christianity, it is extremely important to think
more precisely and have a better grasp of this important word and its
truth.
The ramifications of God’s grace to us in Christ
affects our lives on every hand. Throughout the New Testament the effects
of God’s grace are emphasized. Everywhere we turn, we run into this word
(114 verses in the NASB, and 104 references in the NIV; the differences
stemming from different translations of certain passages). In fact, the
Lord Himself is described as the very epitome and manifestation of God’s
grace (Tit. 2:11).
The doctrine of God’s grace in Christ is multi-sided.
Grace touches every area of truth or doctrine in one way or another. Every
aspect of doctrine is related to grace. It is no wonder grace is an
important word and one that Paul desires to be experienced by all.
What Exactly is Grace?
A Basic Definition—Lexical
The Greek word for grace is
charis.
Its basic idea is simply "non-meritorious or unearned favor, favor or
blessing bestowed as a gift, freely and never as merit for work
performed."
Expanded Definition—Theological
Grace is "that which God does for mankind through
His Son, which mankind cannot earn, does not deserve, and will never
merit."
Grace is all that God freely and non-meritoriously does
for man and is free to do for man on the basis of Christ’s person and
work on the cross. Grace, one might say, is the work of God for man and
encompasses everything we receive from God (cf. Eph. 1:3 with 1:6 and
John 6:27-29).
Remember, the coming of Christ is described as the
manifestation of God’s grace. "Grace is summed up in the name,
person, and work of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:14,16; Eph. 2:8-9; Tit.
2:11)."
Description—an expanded explanation
The Characteristics of Grace
(1) Grace stresses God’s character and man’s
sinfulness, while mercy stresses God’s strength and man’s
helplessness. Grace finds its necessity in the fact of God’s holiness
and in the sinfulness of man; in the nature of God as the creator and man
as the creature.
(2) Grace is opposed to and excludes any idea of works
for merit, works done as a means of blessing or as payment for what is
done. Grace means you never deserve it nor can you earn it even by the old
fashion way. The moment one adds works to gain favor with God, you go from
grace to meritorious living (Rom. 4:4; 11:6). Note: Eph. 4:1, in a manner
fitting, not in a manner that merits God’s love.
(3) But at the same time, grace is the fountain from
which good works are to be produced in the Christian’s life when
appropriated by faith (Tit. 2:11; 2 Tim. 2:1; 1 Cor. 15:9-11). In other
words, Grace gives power and motivation for Christ-like living (Rom. 12:1;
Eph. 4:1; 6:10; 2 Tim. 2:1). Titus 2:11 teaches us that God’s grace in
Christ is a dynamic means of instruction on the Christian life. It
literally teaches us how we should live.
(4) Though grace is the New Testament way of life, it
still contains rules and imperatives that God expects us to live by not as
a means of merit, but because of and through God’s grace; in other
words, grace is not antinomian or anti-law (1 Cor. 9:21; Rom 6:14; 8:1f).
As Titus 2:12f teaches us, God’s grace in Christ demands the denial of
the wrong things in life and direction and obedience toward the right
things. It becomes quite evident from this that grace never means
unbridled living or doing as one pleases for there is the Grace of God
(Rom. 5:20-6:1f; Gal. 5:13). As Ryrie has wisely put it, "The final
cause of the revelation of the grace of God in Christ is not creed, but
character."
(5) Grace glorifies God because it reveals God’s
person, His glory and excellence (Rom. 4:1f; Eph. 1:6; 2:8, 9; 2 Pet.
1:2-4). God’s gracious salvation and work for man in Christ is to the
"praise of the glory of His grace" (Eph. 1:6).
(6) Grace guarantees the believer’s salvation. It
makes it impossible for any man to get out of the plan of God positionally.
Why? Because salvation depends on the character and work of God in Christ
and not on man’s record for no matter how hard man tries, he always
falls short of God’s holy character (Rom. 8:33-39).
(7) Grace guarantees us of God’s love and provision
for anything we might face in life (Rom. 8:32-39).
The Blessings of Grace
Covered here are four main areas or blessings of God’s
grace.
(1) Though sinful and deserving of God’s wrath, grace
means the Blessings of Acceptance (Eph. 1:6). Grace means we are
completely accepted because of the perfect work of Christ which redeems us
(Rom. 3:24), reconciles us (2 Cor. 5:19-21), forgives us (Rom. 3:25; Eph.
1:6,7), delivers us (Col. 1:13), justifies us (Rom. 3:24; 5:1), and
glorifies us (Rom. 8:30). Note 1 Cor. 1:29-30.
(2) Though weak and without capacity for spiritual
things, grace means the Blessing of Enablement, spiritual power and
capacity to live the Christian life (1 Cor. 15:10; Phil. 4:13). Special
divine ability is secured for the believer under and in the grace of God
which is ours in Christ. This is stressed by the following: (a) No longer
under Law, but under grace (Rom. 6:14; 2 Cor. 3:6-13). (b) Christ in you,
the hope of glory (Col. 1:27). (c) Baptized and circumcised in Christ unto
new life potential (Rom. 6:4f; Col. 2:11). (d) Indwelt by the Spirit of
God for power or ability to live the Christian life (Rom. 8:2f).
(3) Though in Adam and dead in sin, grace means the
Blessings
of a New Position (Eph. 1:3; 2:1-5). The believer in Christ, under
grace, has a new position in Christ which brings into the believer’s
life every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3; Col. 2:10). This means the gift
of such things as: (a) Every believer a priest—members of a royal
priesthood (1 Pet. 2:5,9). (b) Citizens of heaven and thereby left here on
earth as ambassadors for Christ (Phil. 3:20; 2 Cor. 5:20). (c) Children of
God, members of God’s family (Eph. 5:1). (d) Adopted as adult sons with
all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities (Gal. 4:5). (e) Gifted
for ministry (1 Pet. 4:10; 1 Cor. 12:4-7).
(4) Finally, though cut off from God and bound for
hell, grace means the Blessings of an Eternal Inheritance, one that
is imperishable, undefiled, that will not fade away, and reserved in
heaven for believers (1 Pet. 1:4).
The great need is grace orientation and its
multiplication (1 Pet. 1:2f) This comes through the knowledge of the Word
and faith.
The Hazard
The great hazard is grace disorientation. But what does
that mean?
(1) The Hazard Defined. Grace disorientation
occurs when we fail of the grace of God (Heb. 12:15). When we fail of God’s
grace, we always turn to our own solutions, strategies, and methods for
handling life which range all the way from humanism and legalism (ignoring
God’s Grace we depend on self [Gal. 5:1-5]) to the opposite pole,
license (using God’s grace as an occasion for the flesh [Gal. 5:13]).
(2) The Hazard Depicted. Biblical pictures
to warn us of the danger. The Bible has a number of word picture which
portray this constant problem with man: leaning on the arm of the flesh
which leaves one in desert like conditions (Jer. 17:5), hewing out broken
cisterns that hold no water (Jer. 2:13), warring according to the flesh or
using human weapons against spiritual forces (2 Cor. 10:3), leaning on the
staff of a sharp reed of man’s solutions that pierces the hand (Isa.
36:6), walking by our own firebrands to light our path (Isa. 50:10-11).
(3) Forms this Hazard Takes.
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