Grace

God’s grace is beautiful and wonderful. If it were not for God’s grace, we would be without hope. I believe that God’s grace, however, is best appreciated in the context of understanding the God Who is revealed to us through the Old Testament.

He is the Creator of the universe. He is perfect and holy. He is the Giver of life. He has righteous requirements (as seen in the 10 commands): He, alone, expects to be our God, we are not to worship anyone besides Him or to flippantly speak His name, we are to observe the Sabbath and keep it holy, we are to honor our father and mother, to not be murderers or adulterous, and we are not to steal, to testify falsely, or to covet what our neighbor possesses. He judges the actions of mankind. He flooded the earth because of the corrupted hearts of man (saving only 8 persons)! We clearly see throughout the Old Testament that God is a God of justice and especially when we read the accounts of the prophets, we see that God means what He says, says what He means, and will accomplish what He declares.

Hebrews 13:8 tells us that Jesus Christ (Who is God) is the same yesterday and today and forever. This means that the same God who desired obedience from His children and who exacted judgment on those who were rebellious has not changed; He is still the same God. However, we are in a period of time that is referred to as the Church Age or the Dispensation of Grace. This is a time where the children of God are being allowed to grow in godliness. The Holy Spirit Who lives within can flourish and help us to grow in sanctification unto God. And the most significant thing about God’s dispensation of grace is the forgiveness of sins that is offered to us through Jesus’ death on the cross. We have the benefit of living in an age that is post-Pentecost and will end at Jesus’ return. And because of God’s grace and desire that no one should perish, He is giving all of mankind and “grace period” so to speak, to understand the truth and come to Him.

We currently live in an atmosphere of God’s unwarranted favor. The words of Christ, recorded in John 10:10: The thief’s [satan’s] purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life [a spiritual vitality] in all its fullness. The righteous and holy God that we serve, does not desire our ruin; He desires a fullness of life for us. Romans 3:23 tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Further on in Romans, we also learn that sin pays off with death. But God’s gift is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23 CEV) This is God’s wonderful grace!

The question has been asked many times “If it wasn’t for God’s grace, where would I be?” I shudder to think of the answer.

Praise God for His grace. Don’t take it for granted. And may you be the blessed recipient of all that He desires for you, by His grace.