“Wonderful, marvelous, infinite grace, abounding more than sin;
When Christ at Calvary took our place, He was man; but God within.
The worldly rulers never knew God’s mystery revealed,
The Lord of glory there they slew, Him whom God had sealed.
Grace is this, and nothing less; only grace can tell
Why a sinner God should bless, and save his soul from hell.
In Adam none will heaven reach, not a single man,
In Christ alone who healed the breach believing sinners can”
J.C.O
The exact and discriminate meaning of the word grace should be crystal clear to every child of GOD. With such insight only can he feed his own soul on the inexhaustible riches which it unfolds, and with such understanding only can he be enabled clearly to pass on to others its marvelous, transforming message. Here is a striking illustration of the fact that very much may be represented by one word. When used in the Bible to set forth the grace of GOD in the salvation of sinners, the word grace discloses not only the boundless goodness and kindness of GOD toward man, but reaches far beyond and indicates the supreme motive which actuated GOD in the creation, preservation and consummation of the universe. What greater fact could be expressed by one word?
The meaning of the word grace, as used in the New Testament, is not unlike its meaning as employed in common speech – but for one important exception, namely, in the Bible the word often represents that which is limitless, since it represents realities which are infinite and eternal. It is nothing less than the unlimited love of GOD expressing itself in measureless grace. Grace is the expression of the sum-total of all that enters into Christianity.
The word favor is the nearest Biblical synonym for the word grace. In this connection it may be observed that the one thought which is almost exclusively expressed in the New Testament by the word grace, is, in the Old Testament, almost exclusively expressed by the word favor. Grace is favor, and favor is grace. Thus, in considering the Bible teaching on this great theme, equal attention should be given to all passages wherein either the word grace is used or favor is found.
We must distinguish the difference between grace in a dispensation and dispensation of Grace.
Scriptural Usage of Grace
(1) Grace is not of ourselves – Eph. 2:8
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God”
(2) Grace is the gift of God – Eph. 2:8
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God”
(3) Grace is not of human works – Eph. 2:9
“Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
(4) Grace is God’s workmanship – Eph. 2:10
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
(5) Grace is reckoned to him that worketh not – Romans 4:4-5
“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
(6) Grace is no more works – Rom. 11:6
“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”
(7) Grace is not according to our works – 2 Tim. 1:9
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began”
(8) Grace is freely given – Rom. 3:24
“Being justified FREELY by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”
GRACE AS GOD’S OPERATING PRINCIPLE
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”
Ephesians 2:4-5, discusses grace as God’s operating principle. Verse 4 starts with certain facts on God’s side. God is the possessor of infinite resources; He is “rich in mercy”, and He has “great love.” Man, on the other hand, is described as “dead.” Man has the deepest need; God has the greatest resources. And God has a plan for linking our need to His resources (Eph. 2:5).
(1) Grace Principle vs. Debt Principle
“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.”
Romans 4:4 – States plainly that grace is the opposite of a merit plan. Two principles of operation are stated here, a “debt” principle and a “grace” principle. In a “debt” plan, reward is given in return for effort of some kind. A “grace” principle is one in which reward is given on the basis of the merits of another, Jesus Christ. The two principles are mutually exclusive; they cannot be combined or mixed.
(2) Grace as “Gift” Principle vs. Wages Principle
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 6:16-23 – points out the contrast between “wages” and the “gift” principle.
(3) Grace through faith Principle vs. Law through works Principle
Romans 4:13-16 – explains that if the Law (debt principle) will make us heirs, then faith (grace principle) “is made void.” This allows for no compromise. Verse 16 says “It is of faith that it might be by grace.” Faith is the response on man’s part that can appropriate blessing without ruining the grace principle. Satan is always eager to add something to faith, because that would ruin grace and negate divine blessing.
By Grace the Law is established
Romans 3:23-31 – shows that, while in grace salvation is free, yet the Law is established and upheld.
“GRACE” is the word used in the Bible to refer to all that God is free to do for mankind because of the Lord Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for sins, the work done for us on the cross.
GRACE means that God has done the work and God receives the “credit”, the benefit. Man, who is unable to produce acceptable works, receives the free benefits of God’s work.
GRACE means that man has received from God that which he has not earned or deserved; because nothing that we are and nothing that we have is sufficient to qualify us for any of what the Lord gives to us or does for us.
Thus Grace means pure unrecompensed, unmerited, unrestrained, unadulterated, undefiled, limitless kindness and favor of God. What is done in grace is done graciously.
From this exact meaning there can be no departure; otherwise grace ceases to be grace. To arrive at the scope and force of the Bible doctrine of salvation by grace alone we need to follow consistently the path indicated by the exact meaning of the word.
The Out Pouring of God’s Exceeding Grace: Is when Jesus Christ completed the redemptive work at the cross of Calvary!
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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
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“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” – John 1:17
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For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.” – Rom. 5:15
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“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and GRACE, …But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:” – 2 Tim. 1:9-10
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“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” – Titus 2:11
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“And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”– 1 Timothy 1:14-14
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“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” – Ephesians 2:4-5
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“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” – Titus 3:4-7
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“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” – Romans 3:24
Evangelist Rodgie Quirante
The Workman’s treasure study Series