Bible Study on Grace

The Unmerited Favor of God: A Study on Grace

Introduction:

Grace, a cornerstone of Christian theology, is the unmerited favor of God extended to humanity. It is God's loving disposition in action, freely given without any prerequisite of human worthiness or effort. This study will explore the multifaceted nature of grace as revealed in Scripture, examining its role in salvation, its bestowal of undeserved favor, its enabling power, and its ultimate expression in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

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1. Grace as the Means of Salvation:

Grace is not merely a divine attitude but the very means by which salvation is offered and received.

• Acts 15:11: "We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." Peter declares that salvation, for both Jews and Gentiles, is solely through the grace of Jesus Christ. There is no other path to redemption.

• Romans 3:24: "...and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Justification, being declared righteous in God's sight, is a free gift received through grace, made possible by Christ's redemptive work.

• Romans 5:15: "But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the one man’s offense, much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many." Paul contrasts the condemnation brought by Adam's sin with the superabundant grace of God offered through Jesus Christ, leading to justification and life.

• Romans 11:6: "And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace." Paul emphasizes the exclusive nature of grace in salvation. It cannot be earned by human effort; otherwise, it ceases to be a free and unmerited gift.

• Ephesians 2:5: "...made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." Salvation is presented as an act of God's grace, bringing spiritual life to those who were dead in their sins.

• Titus 2:11: "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men." This verse highlights the universal availability of God's saving grace, offered to all humanity through the gospel.

• Titus 3:7: "...so that having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." Justification leads to the inheritance of eternal life, all as a result of God's gracious act.

2. Grace Grants Undeserved Favors:

Grace extends beyond salvation to encompass the countless blessings and favors God bestows upon us, which we in no way deserve.

• Deuteronomy 9:5: "It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord your God is driving them out before you, to keep the oath he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." Moses reminds Israel that their inheritance of the Promised Land was not due to their merit but to God's faithfulness to His promises and His judgment on the Canaanites. This foreshadows the undeserved nature of God's favor.

• Daniel 9:18: "We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy." Daniel, in his prayer of confession, acknowledges that Israel's plea for restoration is based solely on God's abundant mercy, not their own righteousness.

• Romans 4:16: "Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all." The promise to Abraham and his descendants comes through faith, ensuring it is by grace, thus making it a secure and undeserved gift.

• Romans 9:16: "It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy." Paul clarifies that God's choosing and blessing are not based on human will or exertion but on His sovereign mercy and grace.

• Titus 3:5: "he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." Our salvation is attributed to God's mercy, an expression of His grace, and not to any good deeds we have performed.

3. Enabling Grace:

Grace is not just a pardon for past sins but also a powerful force that enables us to live for God and accomplish His will.

• Luke 10:19: "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you." While this is a specific promise to the disciples, it illustrates the enabling power bestowed by Jesus, a manifestation of God's grace for their appointed tasks.

• Romans 14:4: "Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master they stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand." Paul speaks of God's enabling grace that allows believers to stand firm in their faith, despite human judgment.

• 2 Corinthians 3:6: "He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." Paul attributes their ability to serve God effectively to His grace, making them competent for the ministry of the new covenant.

• 2 Corinthians 9:8: "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." God's grace is the source of abundant blessing, empowering believers to excel in good works.

• Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Paul acknowledges that his ability to face any circumstance stems from the enabling grace of Christ.

• 1 Timothy 1:12: "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service." Paul recognizes Christ's grace as the source of his strength and his appointment to ministry.

4. The Grace of Christ:

The ultimate expression of God's grace is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

• Revealed in His Childhood:

◦ Luke 2:40: "And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him." Even in his childhood, Jesus was marked by God's grace, evident in his growth, strength, and wisdom.

• John 1:17: "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." John contrasts the law given through Moses with the fullness of grace and truth that arrived with Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of God's gracious dealings with humanity.

• Manifested in His Selflessness:

◦ 2 Corinthians 8:9: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." Christ's voluntary humiliation and sacrifice, becoming poor for our sake, is the ultimate demonstration of God's grace in action.

• Sufficient for All Human Needs:

◦ 2 Corinthians 12:9: "But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." God's response to Paul's plea for the removal of his thorn in the flesh highlights the all-sufficiency of Christ's grace to sustain and empower us in our weaknesses.

◦ Ephesians 4:7: "But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it." Christ, in his ascended glory, distributes grace to each believer according to his perfect wisdom and purpose.

• Granted to Sinners:

◦ 1 Timothy 1:12-13: "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief." Paul's own testimony reveals that God's grace is extended even to the most unlikely individuals – those who were once enemies of the faith.

• Power Source:

◦ 2 Timothy 2:1: "You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." Timothy is exhorted to find his strength not in himself but in the grace that is found in union with Christ Jesus. This grace is the ultimate source of spiritual power.

• Final Blessing:

◦ Revelation 22:21: "The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen." The final blessing of the Bible invokes the grace of the Lord Jesus, emphasizing its enduring importance and the ultimate source of all spiritual blessing.

Conclusion:

Grace is the very essence of God's loving character expressed towards a fallen humanity. It is the foundation of our salvation, the source of undeserved blessings, the empowering force for godly living, and supremely manifested in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Understanding and embracing God's grace is fundamental to the Christian life, fostering humility, gratitude, and a deep reliance on His unfailing favor.