Grace Upon Grace

GRACE. A seemingly simple five-letter word. Once you start looking into the word, you’ll find that it’s not as straightforward as it seems.

Merriam-Webster’s multiple definitions include virtue, approval, favor, privilege, reprieve, a charming or attractive trait, a pleasing appearance, a title for a duke-duchess-or archbishop, a sense of propriety or right, the state of being considerate or thoughtful – there are others.

If you’ve grown up in the church, you’ve most likely heard grace defined as unmerited favor. The concept is that one in a greater position (GOD) shows favor or goodness to one in a lower position (You and Me).

The church’s definition continues: GOD in His goodness shows favor on mankind in general and His children specifically neither of whom are deserving of goodness. Grace is favor that is undeserved and cannot be earned.

We can and absolutely should take great joy in GOD’s grace towards us.

Recently, while preparing a message for a women’s program, I came upon this explanation of the doctrine of grace in “Baker’s Dictionary of Theology” – I will never look at grace in the same way again.

“The essence of the doctrine of grace is that GOD IS FOR US. What is more, HE is for us who in ourselves are against Him.

More still, HE is not for us merely in a general attitude but has effectively acted towards us. Grace is summed up in the name of Jesus Christ…”¹

“Jesus Christ is GOD for us.”

WOW! Read that out loud and really listen to those words. There are four key components to Grace when defined in this manner:

GOD IS FOR US.

GOD is not out to get us. HE is not looking for reasons to condemn or punish us. HE is for us. HE wants us to be His. HE wants relationship with us. HE wants us to be His children. He wants His best for us.

“²Grace to you and peace from GOD our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. … ⁶ to the praise of His glorious grace, with which HE has blessed us in the Beloved. ⁷ In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace….” Ephesians 1:2, 6-7

GOD is for us, even when WE ARE AGAINST HIM.

GOD does not wait for us to come around or get our act together before HE decides to offer His grace to us. HE is for us – His intentions are upon us, even when we are actively against Him.

¹ “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins ²in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience. . . ⁴But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which HE loved us, ⁵even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. . . ⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:1-2, 4-5, 8-9

GOD EFFECTIVELY ACTED TOWARD US

GOD is not just passively FOR US. HE took the initiative. GOD proactively took the actions needed to bring us to Him.

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

GRACE IS SUMMED UP IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST

Grace has a name; it is JESUS.

¹⁴ “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. . .. ¹⁶For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:14, 16

There is no better example in the New Testament of GOD proactively going after a person upon whom HE has set His intentions than the example we see in Acts 9:1-9. (also Acts 22:3-16)

Saul, who aggressively fought against GOD, His Son, and His Followers, was stopped by The Son of GOD on the road to Damascus. Even though Saul was “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the LORD,” GOD had other plans for Saul. GOD was for Saul. GOD had chosen Saul. GOD poured His grace into Saul’s life there on the Damascus road, and the man was never the same again.

Paul (the Roman version of his name, Saul) never forgot, never took for granted, and was never dismissive of the grace that GOD extended to him when he was still a rebel against GOD. Perhaps that is why of the 131 times the word “grace” is used in the New Testament (ESV), 86 of those times were in verses written by the Apostle Paul. GOD’s grace meant everything to Paul. It had changed his heart, his life, and his eternity.

Paul clearly recognized that he was not deserving of GOD’s saving grace. He understood that there was nothing he could ever do to earn GOD’s grace. That understanding and his deep gratitude for GOD’s amazing gift of grace were never far from Paul’s mind. And his life was forever impacted.

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” 1 Timothy 1:15

Knowing that GOD was for him gave Paul the strength and endurance needed for the ministry that God gave him. Whether it was in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger, or whatever the situation, Paul knew that GOD was for him. (2 Corinthians 6:1-10)

Do you know that GOD is for you?

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus… 1 Corinthians 1:3-4

Does the knowledge that His grace has been poured out upon you encourage and empower you?

“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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

How does the recognition that GOD’s grace fills you change your day-to-day life?

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

Dear Friend, know this in the deepest recesses of your heart and live with the confidence that GOD is FOR YOU.

 “Through Him, we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:2

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18

¹ Baker’s Dictionary of Theology, Baker Book House: Grand Rapids, Michigan, pp.257-258

“A Grace Sufficient” Instrumental by JoySpring – Epidemic Sound