The Manifold Grace of God
Guest Post by John Rataczak, Ph.D.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He
withhold from them that walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11).
There are reasons why there are a number of hymns and Gospel songs about God’s grace. It is very multi-faceted (the meaning of “manifold”) and amazing! Why would God care for sinners who have totally rejected Him? How can God’s servants continue to labor for Him in spite of debilitating physical problems? How can a believer who doesn’t have much education or experience serve His Savior? What is it that helps us through really difficult challenges?
Grace! There simply isn’t any other good answer!
Here is a partial list of how this word “grace” (charis in the Greek) is used in the New Testament:
God’s grace is truly multi-faceted. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (I Peter 4:10).
God’s grace helps believers overcome obstacles in their lives. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness (II Corinthians 12:7-8).
God shows “common grace” to all men, saved or unsaved. …for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45b).
God’s saving grace gives the believer new life. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (By grace ye are saved)—Ephesians 2:5.
God gives special grace when it is most needed. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
Grace is the foundation of our position in Christ. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By Whom we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:1-2).
God gives grace so believers can do what is right. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work (II Corinthians 9:8).
God gave great grace to the early church so it could grow spiritually and numerically. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all (Acts 4:33).
God’s grace is crucial to our justification. Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24).
God’s grace is the basis of His election. Even so at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace (Romans 11:5).
God’s grace supplies knowledge to the believer. That in every thing ye are enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge (I Corinthians 1:5).
God’s grace helps believers overcome a shameful past. For I am the least of the apostles, that I am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was besowed upon me was not in vain (I Corinthians 15:9-10).
God’s grace leads to eternal glory. But the God of all grace, Who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you (I Peter 5:10).
Christians are admonished to grow in grace. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (II Peter 3:18).
Jesus was full of grace. 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).
God promises grace to the humble. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you, be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble (I Peter 5:5).
God’s grace overpowers our sin! Moreover, the Law enetered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound (Romans 5:20).
Grace is the means of our faith. And when he was disposed to pass through Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace (Acts 18:27).
The New Testament covenant of grace replaced the Law. For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the Law, but under grace (Romans 6:14).
God’s grace gives us every reason to hope in eternal life! That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:7).
Here are three simple definitions of God’s grear grace:
“Unmerited favor.”
“God’s riches at Christ’s expense.”
“God’s love extended to those who do not deserve it.”
Grace Greater Than Our Sin
Julia H. Johnston
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt!
Sin and despair like the sea waved cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss:
Grace that is greater, ye grace untold,
Points to the Refuge, the mighty cross!
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!
~*~
John Rataczak, Ph.D., is the sole proprietor of Eleutheros Books. “Eleutheros” is the Greek adjective which means “free,” and the theme verse for the ministry is John 8:36—If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Feel free to check out Eleutheros Books at these sites:
Bookstore: www.eleutherosbookstore.com
Author’s books: www.eleutherosbooks.com
Blog (under construction): www.christiancontactwithjohn.com
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