GRACE
Gordon Crook
Grace could be considered the most essential of all the teachings for the Church today. Paul’s epistles are centered around Grace. In some respect, however, Grace is one of the most controversial teachings in the epistles of Paul. Many believe that to teach grace is to teach licentiousness. There are others who believe that God is all loving and so gracious that He would never allow anyone to go the hell. Neither of these is scriptural. It is my opinion (based on scripture) that a personal revelation of the Grace of God is of utmost importance to the growth of the child of God.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee” Titus 2:11-15.
The grace of God has appeared to all men. Paul tells us in Romans that all men are without excuse. God has revealed Himself in many ways to humanity, the greatest of these being in the gift of His Son on Calvary. “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” John 1:14. The psalmist tells us that all of creation reveals God unto us. Those who were alive in the time of Jesus had the privilege of seeing God’s grace in person, in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. So, was God’s grace revealed unto them only? No, His grace is revealed through the Word unto us today. We must by faith accept and appropriate the grace of God personally. Rom. 5:2.
Grace is not merely favor, but rather mercy, loving kindness, a free gift. Favor may be deserved or gained, but grace is totally undeserved and unmerited. There was none that deserved the grace of God, and yet He offered it freely in His Son. In Rom. 4:4, grace is contrasted with debt. If it is owed, it is not by grace. In Romans 11:6, grace is contrasted with works. If we can work for God’s favor, it is no longer grace. In John 3:16 we see the grace of God. God so loved the world, but in His righteousness could not (not that He would not) accept sinful man. He had to atone for our sins before He could accept us into His presence. Do you see the grace shown here? Man believes that God is so all loving that He could never send anyone to hell. Well, God is so all loving that He provided a way to escape, but it is our responsibility to accept His grace.
Eph. 1:13-14, 2:4-10 and 2 Cor. 8:9 teach us about the wonderful grace of God, and how He intends to show, through us, His grace throughout eternity. Our finite little minds cannot comprehend the fulness of this plan, but we can take hold by faith of all that He has for us, and He still get glory for that.
Psalms 103:10 is possibly the best description of the grace of God. The psalmist knew about God’s mercy and lovingkindness. He had experienced the grace of God in his life. Have you experienced the grace of God? So you have a good understanding of the grace of God? Ask God to give you a revelation of His grace. I repeat again, it is of utmost importance in our lives to have a full revelation of the grace of God. It will cause us to live godly lives in this world. Those who think that teaching grace invites licentious living, do not have a revelation of the grace of God. Paul tells us that grace teaches us to live godly, not ungodly, lives.
I have never considered myself a very good writer, and trying to explain what the Lord has shown me concerning His grace is proving this to be true. I cannot put together the words to teach you adequately about the grace of God. You must take time to study this for yourself and ask God to give you a greater revelation of His grace. There is so much in the Word about grace. The Bible is a book about Him and in it we find His grace revealed, but until His grace becomes real to us on a very personal basis, we cannot truly live godly lives for Him. It is grace that teaches us.
Godliness is an outward manifestation of the inward life. In Ephesians we are told that we are created unto good works. The new creation in us is only capable of godly living, and as we yield to the new creation, we will live godly here and now. Christ always accompanied His forgiveness with the statement “go and sin in more.” He was compassionate, but He wanted righteous living. We can live righteous lives, because of His grace. The outward manifestation of the inward life is essential to shine the light of the gospel to those around us. In I Thess. 1:5-10 shows what a godly life can do. Paul says that he did not even have to Say anything because these saints had lived a exemplary lifestyle.
Don’t be fooled by the rhetoric of the world today. Christ is coming soon and we must be ready. We must be prepared to be showed off for all eternity as examples of the grace of God, but He will not show off ungodly lives. This is not a matter of being better than someone else. Again, the grace of God leaves no room for that kind of thinking. This is a matter of bringing glory and honor to our Father. Please consider carefully the things concerning the grace of God, and may God grant you a deeper fuller revelation.
