Is Grace That Amazing?
The word “amazing” is an adjective that we use to describe something we think is astonishing, astounding, eye-opening, jaw-dropping, stunning, or stupefying. The problem in our day and age is the effect of the law of diminishing returns…nothing really amazes us. We have been so over-exposed by instant access to everything “spectacular” that we shrug off the truly amazing as ordinary and commonplace.
But honestly, is there really anything more amazing than the astonishing grace of our awesome God?
The word “grace” is used 155 times in the New Testament, but only found 12 times in all the gospel accounts. It is found in every book but Matthew, Mark, 1 John, and 2 John.
But catch this. It is unexpectedly a word Jesus never used, yet He didn’t have to because He was the walking personification of the word (John 1:14 – “And the Word became flesh…full of grace and truth”).
If God had a favorite word, it just might be the word “grace” because Peter tells us that He is "the God of all grace" (1 Pet. 5:10).
Is there a truth more essential than grace, because the only gospel we have to preach is called "the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24) or “the word of His grace” (Acts 20:32).
What is this amazing “grace?” It literally means goodwill or favor and when connected to God, it is an act of goodwill that God gifts to undeserving sinners, freeing them fully and forever from the penalty, power, and presence of sin. Someone said grace is everything for nothing to those who don’t deserve anything. Is there anything greater than this?
The late Jerry Bridges wrote these stunning words: “Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace” (The Discipline of Grace).
We desperately need God’s grace all the time. God calls us to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:1) and to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Pet 3:18)
Here are a few of its amazing features:
It is sovereign grace that supernaturally resources our lives: God is the “God of all grace” (1 Pt 5:10); Jesus Christ is “full of grace” (Jn. 1:17) & the Holy Spirit is the “the Spirit of grace” (Heb. 10:29).
It is selecting grace that predestines us to salvation: 2 Tim. 1:9 – “who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.” (see also Eph. 1:4–6)
It is saving grace that declares us righteous in Christ: Titus 3:5-7 – “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness…so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs.” (see also Rom. 3:24, 5:2; 1 Cor. 1:4; 2 Cor. 4:15; Gal. 1:15; Eph. 1:7; 2:5, 89; Phil. 1:7; Titus 2:11)
It is schooling grace that teaches us how to live: Titus 2:12–13 —“instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in this present age.” (Acts 20:32)
It is second coming grace that focuses us on our future hope: Titus 2:13 – “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God as Savior.” (see also 1 Pet. 1:13)
It is serving grace that empowers us to minister to others with spiritual gifts: 1 Pet 4:10–11 – “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (see also 1 Cor. 15:10; Rom. 12:6; Eph. 4:7).
It is suffering grace that strengthens us to sufficiently handle the trying difficulties of life: 2 Cor. 12:9 – “And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” (see also 1 Pet. 5:10; Heb. 13:9)
It is supporting grace that is evidenced in our generous financial giving: 2 Cor. 8:1, 9 – “the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia.”
It is strengthening grace that is provided when we pray at the “throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in the time of need” (Heb. 4:16; 2 Thess. 1:11–12).
It is soul-winning grace that is employed when we share the gospel: Col. 4:6 – “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” (see also Eph. 3:8)
It is spoken grace communicated to others when we “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear” (Eph. 4:29).
It is self-effacing grace that is given to those who oppose pride and apply humility: Jam. 4:6 – “But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, 'God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'” (see also 1 Pet. 5:5)
It is superior grace that is always able to overcome sin: Rom 5:20–21 – “But where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.”
It is saturating grace that never diminishes its supply: John 1:16 – “For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.” (see also 2 Cor. 9:8; 1 Tim. 1:14)
It is surpassing grace: Eph. 2:6–7 — “seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (see also 2 Cor. 9:14)
What an all-sufficient, multi-faceted gift. Be amazed by it. We need it every day, and let’s not forget that it is more a Someone than a something. It is the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 8:9).
Pastor Jeff