Grace Grace Grace

We read of Paul speaking to the Ephesian elders, in Acts 20:24, of the ministry he had received from the Lord Jesus: “to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

The word “gospel” means “good news”, and “grace” means “unmerited favor.” Paul was given the ministry to proclaim the good news that God has provided a way of salvation for sinners and that He had done this without requiring any merit whatsoever on the part of sinners!

To truly appreciate why the grace of God is good news, we must understand the need for grace. Everyone needs grace.

The Bible very clearly describes man’s true condition:

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” - Romans 3:23

“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” - James 2:10

“For the wages of sin is death...” - Romans 6:23

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” - Isaiah 59:2

“But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is like filthy rags;” - Isaiah 64:6.

What do these passages really mean to us?

First, we must all plead guilty! Every person has sinned. We could never demand entrance into heaven because we are somehow good enough – let me in – you are lucky to have me. There is nothing we have to offer. Even the very best of us is without merit in God’s sight!

Secondly, our sins have alienated us from God! By our transgressions, we lose that precious relationship with God. We experience “spiritual” death, or separation from God; which if left unchecked, will result in eternal separation from God, which is known as hell. While we are in this state of “spiritual” death, we are dead to God; our prayers are not heard - see 1 Peter 3:12

Thirdly, as sinners, we cannot bring about the removal of our guilt on our own. We cannot run away from this guilt. We cannot work our way out of this guilt. We must not be self-deceived by notions of our own goodness. There is no good in us. We are sinners in need of salvation.

Once we acknowledge our sinfulness, we are in a position to appreciate the provision of grace.

Not only do we need grace, but also God has provided grace. God has provided His Son because of His great love.

Because God loved us, He sent His Son to die that we might have eternal life. Because God loved us, He made His Son a “propitiation” for our sins. Propitiation is a sacrifice designed to appease. God has offered His Son as a sacrifice designed to appease Himself, which leads to a related truth.

Because of His justice, God has provided His Son. To satisfy His justice, God provided redemption through the blood of His Son. God offered appeasement – satisfaction – when we could not.

God’s grace operates in this way: God’s justice requires an appropriate sacrifice for sin, and because He loves us, He provided His Son as a sacrifice for sin. As a result, God recognizes the death of Jesus on the cross as a suitable ransom for our sins, paid in full. So to satisfy both His justice and His love, God has graciously provided salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. What we cannot earn, God has provided.

But the provision of grace is not unconditional or automatic. We need to consider how we will receive God’s offer of grace. We must receive God’s grace. Receiving God’s saving grace requires obedience.

Jesus is “the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” Freedom from sin comes when one is willing to obey from the heart. We must obey Jesus. Obedience to Christ involves:

Trusting in Jesus as the Son of God who died for your sins.
Confessing your faith before men.
Repenting of your sins.
Believing in Christ as Savior and Lord.

We must also remember that obedience to Christ has nothing to do with earning Salvation! Grace is only and always about God’s favor toward us.

Salvation is by grace, and “not by works of righteousness which we have done.” Because God’s mercy, He saves us.

What is the nature of your relationship to God? Have you received the grace of God? Are you living in the grace of God? Are you giving grace?