The concept of God’s “Grace”
is thrilling beyond words. It shines its brightest, however, against the
backdrop of another aspect of our Creator’s nature — that of sacred "Wrath."
The most common Greek word for
“wrath” is orge. The term occurs 36 times in the New Testament (cf. Romans 1:18; 2:5). Another expression denoting “wrath” is thymos (18 times; cf.
Revelation 16:19; 19:15). Most scholars make some distinction between the
terms. Some suggest that thymos is “boiling” anger, whereas orge reflects an
“abiding and settled” state of mind. Perhaps the two terms in concert denote
the intense and sustained disposition of God towards evil, and those who
abandon themselves to it.
But “wrath,” as used of God,
does not suggest an impulsive, emotional reaction, as the term frequently does
with humans. Rather, divine wrath is the reflection of a deliberate and
measured reaction of a perfectly holy Being toward sin — a response that is
entirely consistent with the righteous nature of a loving God. Standing over
against the starkness of sacred wrath, is the dazzling concept of “grace.”
Grace Defined
“Grace” derives from the
Greek, charis. In secular Greek,
charis was related to chairo, “to
rejoice.” As far back as Homer it denoted “sweetness” or “attractiveness.” It
came to signify “favor,” “goodwill,” and “loving kindness” — especially as
granted by a superior to an inferior.
In the New Testament, “grace”
(156 times) takes on a special redemptive sense in which God makes available
his favor on behalf of sinners, who actually do not deserve it.
There is tremendous emphasis
in the New Testament upon the fact that human salvation is the result of
Heaven’s grace. This beautiful truth should never be minimized. At the same time,
it must not be perverted. Unfortunately, much too often those with only a
superficial concept of “grace” have hijacked the term and foisted upon it a
sense alien to scriptural teaching. Let us consider some of the precious Bible
truths associated with the concept of salvation by grace.
Encompassing Grace
God’s grace has been offered
to the entire human family. “For the
grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men . . .” (Titus 2:11). This cannot mean that every soul will be saved. Such a conclusion would
contradict numerous other passages.
What this does suggest is that
Heaven’s grace is potentially available to all who care to access it by means
of the divine plan of redemption (cf. Romans 5:1; 6:3-4,17). This reality is in
direct conflict with the Calvinistic notion that God, before the foundation of
the world, chose only specific persons to be recipients of his grace.
The Grace/Knowledge Connection
The access to God’s grace is
by means of an objective body of revelation. Paul noted: “For the grace of God hath appeared . . . instructing us . . .”
(Titus 2:11-12). Christianity is a taught religion. Isaiah, speaking of the
messianic age, exclaimed: “. . . he will
teach us of his ways . . .” (2:3). Jesus himself declared: “It is written in the prophets, And they
shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and has
learned, comes unto me” (John 6:45).
God’s grace is not dispensed
apart from an instruction that requires both understanding and obedience. In
these days when there is a tendency to “stampede” folks into the church, with
minimal comprehension of what they are doing, this is a crucial matter to
emphasize.
Conditional Grace
The reception of God’s grace
is conditional. Calvinism erroneously asserts that grace is bestowed
unconditionally by the sovereign will of God. The Bible negates this concept.
The principle is illustrated
by the example of Noah, who “found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8); and yet, as the writer of Hebrews shows, the patriarch and his family
were saved by preparing an ark in obedience to God’s instruction (Hebrews 11:7; cf.
Genesis 6:22). Jehovah proffered the grace. Noah, by faith, obeyed the Lord,
and so was blessed. While God extends grace, human beings must be willing to
“receive” the favor (2 Corinthians 6:1).
Grace Is Not Earned
Grace excludes merit. We must
constantly remind ourselves that humanity is not deserving of salvation. No one
can “earn” pardon by works of human merit. If such were the case, we could
boast regarding our redemption; however, that is impossible (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Even if one were able to
perform everything God commands, he still must regard himself as an
“unprofitable servant” (Luke 17:10). Jesus taught that our sins have put us
head-over-heels in debt, and no person has the innate ability to liquidate that
obligation (cf. Matthew 18:24-27).
When this concept is truly
grasped, service to Almighty God will flow with a freshness and zeal that
invigorates the soul. Doubtless a failure to fathom the true significance of
grace is the reason many church members are spiritually lethargic.
Accessing Grace
Grace is accessed initially at
the point of gospel obedience. It is shocking that so many sincere people are
unaware of the fact that “grace” and “obedience” are not enemies. Paul affirmed
that grace is accessed by faith (Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-9). It is not,
however, a faith void of loving response to God; it is a faith that acts (James 2:21-26).
Consider this fact. In
Ephesians 2:8, the apostle states that one is “saved by grace through faith.” Later, in the same document, he
says that sinners are “cleansed by the
washing of water with the word” (5:26). “Saved” and “cleansed” represent
the same idea. Further, scholars almost universally acknowledge that the
“washing” is an allusion to baptism. It is clear, therefore, that the reception
of grace, by means of the “faith” system, includes immersion in water for the remission of sins before God.
Again, note that eternal life
is the result of grace (cf. “grace of life,” 1 Peter 3:7, i.e., life resulting
from grace). But one experiences that “life” when he is raised from the water
of immersion (Romans 6:4). Heaven’s grace plan system includes obedience.
To express the matter another
way, Christ “saves us, through the
washing of regeneration [acknowledged to be a reference to baptism], and the renewing of the Holy Spirit”
(Titus 3:5). Yet this is equivalent to being “justified by his grace” (v. 7).
Obedience and grace do not stand in opposition to one another.
Continuing in Grace
The state of grace must be
embraced continuously; otherwise one will fall from divine favor, and his
initial reception of Heaven’s grace will have been “in vain” (2 Corinthians 6:1; cf. 1 Corinthians 15:10).
It is incredible that many,
who identify themselves with Christianity, should contend that it is impossible
for the Christian to fall from God’s grace.
If one cannot fall out of
grace, why did Paul urge his fellow-believers to “continue [present tense — sustained perseverance] in the grace of God” (Acts 13:43)? The
Scriptures warn of certain Christians who attempted to revert to the Mosaic
regime for salvation. As a result, they were “severed from Christ” and “fallen
away from grace” (Galatians 3:26-27; 5:4).
Conclusion
Grace is a soul-thrilling
concept; it must be deeply appreciated, but never manipulated or distorted.
By Wayne Jackson
Christian Courier
Christian Courier
