The Doctrine of The Grace of God

THE DOCTRINE OF THE GRACE OF GOD

By Lasaro Flores

All Of Grace Ministries 

Our study of the Grace of God should be of much interest to the one who has struggled to find acceptance with God. There is a gnawing feeling within a person who has been made conscious of their sin and that one day they will have to stand before God to answer for their sins. Of course, being without the assurance that all is well with their soul, they might have got involved with some religion; or at least, have tried to impress God with their “good works”. Of course, realizing that they are far from being perfect since they do acknowledge they are sinners, they might have convinced themselves that as long as they try their best to please God, they are not that bad of a person. Subsequently, they feel that God will accept them as they are; especially since they believe that since God is love, He will be merciful to them. This is, I am afraid, the concept of multitudes of people around us that they have of being accepted of God at the last. 

Sadly to say, even within professing Christianity, multitudes are still being deceived on how sinners are made accepted by God. In spite of having the inerrant Holy Scriptures, and professing a belief in the Grace of God, they still CANNOT tell a sinner how God will accept them. Their terminology will include “grace”, yet the truth of the Grace of God in all its glory is not preached or taught to the people. To many it is just a religious term and has nothing to do with being made accepted by God (refer to Ephesians 1:6 – “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved”); and so they will go through their “Christian life” still having a gnawing feeling that truly all is not well with their soul.

Now, it is my intention and goal to bring out in this study the glorious truth that the Grace of God is that fathomless fountain from which all the blessings we may have in Christ Jesus will flow with all their fullness to the believing sinner. In fact, we can say dogmatically that apart from the grace of God we cannot, and will not, receive anything from Him; no matter how much we try to earn or merit it. Grace has to do with God freely giving to the unworthy sinner that which he does not deserves. In fact, grace has to do with God having mercy on one who justly deserves the deepest hell for their sins and doing exactly the opposite of what they deserve. But what makes this grace so amazing is that the one upon whom this grace is bestowed had absolutely nothing to do with it but was given to him in Christ Jesus simply because it pleased God to do so.

Furthermore, we’ll see that the Grace of God is the Alpha and Omega of all of the good we can receive from God in His beloved Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In fact, from the Beginning to the End, from the First to the Last, the Grace of God is stamped on ALL that God does for us, in us and to us as He sees us in Christ Jesus. We can even say that if it wasn’t for the Grace of God there would absolutely be no hope whatsoever for any one of us. God has to see us through the lenses of His Grace in His precious Son; for if not, He would have to cast us away from the presence of His holiness and righteousness. But oh! To know that Grace is written upon the eternal purpose of God from before the foundation of the world to deal with us in Christ Jesus is to sing “Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine” because of His “Amazing Grace”, “which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Timothy 1:9). Hallelujah!!!

To many the Grace of God simply means the “unmerited favor” of God; and which, of course, it does! But it is too limited if that is all we understand it to be. The Grace of God is much more profound than that; not in the sense that we may not understand it, but that it involves much more than “unmerited favor”. Perhaps it can be said of Grace as it is said of the Love of Christ: “May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge…” (Ephesians 3:18, 19). Therefore, it is so immense and profound that it is only as we experience it in our lives in a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ that we may hope to grasp any meaning of it in our lives and be enabled to say with the apostle Paul: “But by the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Hallelujah!!!

But permit me to remind ourselves: That the doctrine of the Grace of God is not simply a theological doctrine, but a practical one. It’s true that this precious doctrine teaches us what it is and what it means; but also it has to do with how we have been changed and how we live as those that have experienced the Grace of God. Yes, the doctrine of the Grace of God teaches us the means by which God deals with us as sinners; and that Grace is the only hope that we can have in a right relationship with Him in His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. But also it teaches us that without this Grace it would be utterly impossible, not only to start a Life with Christ, but also to continue to live His Life. In fact, I can assert with all assurance that without the Grace of God, we CANNOT be a Christian! Every step we take should remind us that it is God’s “Amazing Grace” that has made us what we are in Christ Jesus forever and ever. Amen.

In our study, we would like to emphasize three aspects of it that are so important in our understanding of it. These three characteristics of the Grace of God are essential if are to truly understand why it is the “unmerited favor” of God. In fact, if we leave them out, then it is no longer the Biblical view of the Grace of God, but a corrupted understanding that really has nothing to do with Grace; for then it brings in what sinful man can supposedly do in order to gain the favor of God. Of course, this is what Romans 11:6 tells us that this is what happens: “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work”. 

First, we understand that the Grace of God is eternal. By this it is meant that Grace did not have a starting point somewhere along the line of time when God decided to deal with man due to some unforeseen reason. The Scriptures make it very clear that God’s attributes and character are eternal just as He is eternal; for as the Psalmist declares that He is God “even from everlasting to everlasting” (Psalm90:2). Therefore, since He is “the God of all grace” (1 Peter 5:10), it follows that His Grace also is “from everlasting to everlasting”. Amen! This means also that since He is “the LORD” and He “changes not” (Malachi 3:6), He will always remain to be “the God of all grace” for ever and ever!  Read Ephesians 1:3-7 prayerfully and joyfully and see what this glorious truth should mean to the elect of God because it is eternal!

Furthermore, consider the following two Scriptures that establish this truth and that it is not of religious man’s figment of imagination. 1) “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Timothy 1:9). Note that Grace is given to us “before the world began”. In other words, grace existed and was given to the elect prior to perpetual time, i.e. before Genesis 1:1. This means that before Grace was actually given in experience to one it already existed in eternity past. 2) “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). Then throughout eternity this glorious Grace will be “indicated” by everyone who has experienced “the exceeding riches of (God’s) grace” in their lives; and the proof of it will be seen simply in that they are there in glory due to God’s grace alone. Truly this will be “to the praise of the glory of his grace” (1:6). All praise be to Him Who alone is worthy of it! Amen!

Secondly, we understand that the Grace of God is free. In other words, God’s Grace cannot be bought; much less merited by anyone of us. It is said that we have been “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24); “the free gift… much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace…” (5:15); “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give (to grant as a favor) us all things?” (8:32). In other words, this simply means that since the Grace of God is the source from which flows ALL things to us for our good, especially for our eternal welfare; and since Grace is the unmerited favor of God in that He does us the favor which we do not merit; therefore they are given to us freely. Hosea 14:4 tells us that God’s love for His people is free: “I will love them freely”; and this is manifested in giving us His grace; ‘and this love, as it is freely set upon the objects of it, without any merits of theirs, or any motives in them, but flows from the free sovereign will and pleasure of God in Christ’ (John Gill’s Commentary).

Furthermore, we can say, then, that since God’s grace is free, then our works, or any “righteousnesses” we might conceive to have in order to attract God to us for our good, aren’t worth one iota; for they “are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) before Him. Therefore, “if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work” (Romans 11:6). In fact, we can tell every one of us that if we expect any good from God we better come as Isaiah 55:1 invites us (“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price”), or there will not be any hope of salvation or of any of His “spiritual blessings in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3ff.). Grace is a free gift from God to the undeserving and to the ones who absolutely CANNOT do anything for it!

Thirdly, the Grace of God is sovereign. By this it is meant, beloved, that since Grace is totally of God and He has absolute control of it, He is not obligated in any way to give it to anyone unless He chooses to do so according to His sovereign will; or as expressed in Ephesians 1:5, “according to the good pleasure of his will”. This is made clear in His declaration: “For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion” (Romans 9:15). Since “mercy” and “compassion” to anyone of us has to come from “the God of all grace” (1 Peter 5:10); and since we cannot merit it in any shape or form, our only hope for God’s grace to be given to us has to depend on Him giving it to us simply because it pleased Him to do so. This, of course, is proven by the fact that it is “was given us” (i.e. the elect) “in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Timothy 1:9). What greater proof of His sovereignty of His grace in that it was given to us before Genesis 1:1!

Of course, this aspect of the Grace of God is very abhorrent not only to proud and carnal man, but also to many that claim to believe in the Grace of God. They just will not allow for God to be God and to be the Disposer of the benefits of His grace as He wills. In fact, He can tell them: “Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself” (Psalm 50:21). Man, in their opposition to the Sovereignty of God, more so with respect to His Grace, try to bring God’s ways and thoughts down to the level of deprave man. But what says the most High: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD” (Isaiah 55:8). Therefore, it follows that since God gives His grace to whom He pleases and when He pleases, man has no say whatsoever in it other than responding to it when it effectually and irresistibly falls on them.

We, then, conclude that because God’s Grace is eternal, free, and sovereign, it closes the door to anything that depraved man supposedly thinks they can add to it in order to “justify” themselves before God. Justification here may be anything that they may perceive to be an excuse or reason to be forgiven or accepted by God; whether temporally or eternally. But as we shall see in continuing our study of the Grace of God, Grace is that eternal fountain from which flows ALL the blessings that an unworthy but hell deserving sinner may receive from a Holy and Righteous God, who would be just in casting us away from His presence into the eternal fires of hell. Yet because of what Grace is, God has from eternity freely chosen a people for His glory simply because it has pleased Him to do so; and so therefore we can say, without no doubt whatsoever, that it is “to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:6, 7). Amen.

Having looked at the three characteristics of the Grace of God, i.e. that it is Eternal, Free and Sovereign, we now want to consider its application upon those it is exercised by the Sovereign Will of God and His Love and Mercy on those that have experienced it in salvation. Truly we will see that there is absolutely no denying that if it wasn’t for the Grace of God in His dealings with us in Christ Jesus, we would be the most miserable of creatures; for without the Grace of God there would be no hope of salvation; and most certainly, there would be no way of being able to live the Life of Christ, because it is the Grace of God that ALONE gives us hope, not only for TODAY but also for Eternity. Hallelujah!!! 

Therefore, we will first note that the Grace of God is absolutely necessary for our salvation from our sins (refer to Matthew 1:21). One of the best known Scriptures that shows this wonderful truth is Ephesians 2:8, 9, where we read: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast”. By this it is to be understood that Grace here is the Divine favor, or as it is so commonly referred to as the “unmerited favor” of God in saving sinners. In fact, we can say that it is God doing us the favor of saving us even though we do not deserve to be saved from our sins. It is God being gracious to those that have no merit whatsoever for God to save them. Yet we read here the most humbling truth that it is by His “grace” that God saves any one of us!

 Also, it is not simply that God will try to save us, but that we “are…saved”; or as Isaiah puts it: We “shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation”. Since God’s Grace is eternal, once the sinner experiences Grace in time; or the moment a sinner is saved, that means that salvation can never be lost since we are not saved by what we have done, are doing, or can ever do. It’s ALL OF GRACE; from the beginning to the end; or to put it more precisely in Biblical terms: It is a Grace ”which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Timothy 1:9), which will carry us into eternity so “that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). Beloved, God’s Grace is the ONLY thing that can do that!

 Another thing that emphasizes the Grace of God in salvation is that “it is the gift of God”. Now, what is a gift? A gift is something that you give to someone freely unconditionally. If you were to require something from someone in order for you to give them a gift, it would be a contradiction. Therefore, in the context of our Scripture, whether it be “grace”, or being “saved”, or even “faith”, it is God doing the giving. But the unfathomable fountain of all of it is “according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7); for it is “of (Christ’s) fullness” that we receive “grace for (or upon) grace” (John 1:16); and this is so because His grace is free! That’s why it is said that it is “not of yourselves”; or to put in a more pride-withering way: We have absolutely nothing to do with it but to receive it humbly at the foot of the Cross where the precious Son of God purchased our salvation. All praise is to Him! Amen!

Furthermore, in order to be saved by grace, we see that it is “through faith”; for “it is of faith, that it might be by grace” (Romans 4:16). Now, “faith” is a “gift of God” given to those that God will save. You see, beloved, saving faith is not natural to sinful man. It’s true that man in his unregenerate state does have an ability to “believe”; but it is not the “faith” that causes a sinner to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:31) in order to be saved. 2 Thessalonians 3:2: “For all men have not faith”, i.e. “saving faith”. In Philippians chapter 2, verse 29, we are told that it is “given in the behalf of Christ…to believe on him”; and so “faith” being given by God in order for a sinner to be able to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ means that “faith” has no meritorious value but is like an empty hand that reaches out to God to be filled by Him. When grace comes upon a sinner, the most “spiritual” thing they will do is to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ”, whereas they were unable to do so before that takes place.

But note another thing that is very emphatic with respect to this glorious truth that we’re dealing with; and it is brought out by this humbling words: “And that not of yourselves”. Because God’s Grace is sovereign, that means that God has determined to save whosoever He wills to save! In other words, since grace, to be saved, or faith is absolutely not produced by us or comes from us so that we can say that we had something to do with it, it is stated emphatically in another place: “For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy” (Romans 9:15, 16). Therefore, beloved, the only appropriate place for us is to be at the feet of our glorious Savior in gratitude and love for saving us even though we are not worthy of the least of His mercies but simply because He delighted to do so “according to the good pleasure of his will” and “according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:5, 7). “To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).

It follows, then, that anything we receive from God for our good, in particularly in salvation, is absolutely “not of works” that we any way of shape of form pretend to have done, or are doing or should ever do! The Greek word translated for works is toil (as an effort or occupation). Therefore, beloved, salvation can neither be deserved nor earned by us; no matter how much we try to deserve it or occupy ourselves to earn it!  Works here means anything we have to do in order for God to save us, including repenting, believing, praying, crying, or etc; and even though these things are necessary for a sinner to be saved, they are not produced by us, i.e. “energized” on our own. For sure, we “do” these things but ONLY as the Grace of God wrought them in us; “for thou also hast wrought (do or make) all our works (an action) in us” (Isaiah 26:12). We can also add water baptism, going to ‘church’, reading the Bible, and witnessing; or anything that could be “normal” for the Christian in order to be saved. We may put it like this: Anything that we do after experiencing salvation does not in any way add to our salvation; no matter how Christian or holy it might be!

You can be sure, God will not accept absolutely anything that we present to Him in order to convince Him that He has to save us apart from His Free and Sovereign Grace; for as it is declared to us by His inerrant Word: “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work” (Romans 11:6). Besides that, He will not share His glory; or allow for one to “boast” of adding anything to His “so great salvation” Hebrews 2:3). That’s why it is added to “not of works, lest any man should boast”. There is absolutely not one person who has experienced God’s Grace in salvation that can vaunt himself, or herself, before Him and thank Him for saving them because of their “works”. Such a creature is a stranger to “the election of grace” (Romans 11:5) and would be cast away from “the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16) where sits “the God of all grace” ((1 Peter 5:10). Can you imagine a totally undeserving sinner coming before God as the unrighteous Pharisee did and saying: “God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are….” (Luke 18:11). Such a one will hear those awful words of Matthew 7:23 – “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity…” from the One they pretend to believe in and serve (Matthew 7:21-23). Only the Grace of God can prevent that from happening to anyone who knows the Grace of God in God’s salvation that is ALL OF, and BY, GRACE!!! HALLELUJAH!!!

Now, since this is not an exhaustive study of the Grace of God, yet I believe that what I have presented to this point is more than sufficient to show why the Grace of God is absolutely necessary to save any sinner. Nevertheless, the following Scriptures will also verify this humbling truth that “by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8, 9). Acts 15:11; 18:27; 20:24, 32; Romans 3:224; 5:15, 20, 21; 11:5, 6; 1 Corinthians 1:4; 15:10; Galatians 5:4; Ephesians 1:6, 7; 2:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 2:11; 3:7; Hebrews 2:9; 1 Peter 1:10, 13.

Therefore, beloved, let me close with this thought with respect to our salvation: It is so easy to look away from the Grace of God to our own “works”; and as I said before, “works” can be anything that we feel will impress God to save us. You’ll find that no matter how much you try to show God how faithful and obedient you are; and yes, how repentant you are of your sins, all you’ll be seeing is what YOU are doing, and not what God has done and can do by His GRACE! You’ll put your “works” between you and the Grace of God in Christ Jesus. Instead of rejoicing in the fact that God’s Grace is more than sufficient to save you in spite of the greatness of your sins as the glorious promise of Romans 5:20 shows (“But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound”), you’ll be so miserable looking at yourself and your “works”. Even true believers will at times do this; but oh! One look at our glorious Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, form whom you may receive “grace for grace” (John 1:16) and see that by God’s Grace you have been “made…accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6). In other words, ALL have been done for you in Christ Jesus so that God can save you ALL OF, and BY GRACE. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1, 2). Again, HALLELUJAH!!!

We have referred to, at least, three characteristics of the Grace of God, which are that the Grace of God is eternal, free and sovereign. By them we have learned that it is everlasting: Its effect will also be with those that receive it from beginning to the end. But also it means we cannot do anything to earn it or deserve it by anything we may presume obligates God to give it to us. Since it is priceless we cannot provide absolutely anything for it. Furthermore, since we are all undeserving sinners, it is only God’s good pleasure and will that determines to whom He will give His grace. In fact, that is why Grace is called the ‘unmerited favor’ of God upon those that do not have anything of them and in them that would cause God to favor them with the benefits of the Gospel in Christ Jesus, His beloved Son. Amen.

Grace, being what we have pointed out to be, than we can see why God’s Grace is the only hope that sinners may have if they want to be saved from their sins. There is everything in sinful man, which not only God cannot overlook, but also everything that God has to reject. But praise God, that since our salvation is ALL OF GRACE, there is hope for the “first” of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15); and I can truthfully say (and I say it humbly), in God saving me, there is hope for anyone else! It’s impossible for a sinner that is dead spiritually, i.e. in their sins, to do anything of their own, not only to desire but most certainly to do anything that God will accept from their part to add to the Grace of God for their salvation. “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” (Romans 11:6). Therefore, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8, 9).

But now, we would like to consider that once a sinner is saved, is there any longer the need of Grace for the saved sinner, who “in  Christ…is a new creature” and “old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17)? Can one who has been born again (John 3:3, 7) and is indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God live the Christian life without the Grace of God in their lives? The question is legitimate because the apostle Paul asked the Galatian Christians: “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” This simply means that at conversion they had started the Christian life by the power of the Spirit and His grace, but now they had been deceived to think they could live the Christian life in the power of the “flesh”, i.e. of their own; or to put it in another way, without the grace of God! But notice what the apostle Peter tells the people of God: “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Therefore, beloved, this tells us that there is a need to “grow in grace” and not to remain “spiritually immature”, which can occur if we do not grow spiritually, not only “in grace”, but also “in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”. This we will see as we present the following reasons. But keep in mind that these two things, i.e. growing “in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” depends on our relationship with Him; for it is ONLY “of his fullness” that we can receive “grace for grace” (John 1:16); or “grace upon grace”. This simply means that there is such a thing as an increase of Grace in our lives as a Christian. Amen.

Now, the first reason why we need to “grow in grace” (and keep in mind, that the grace of God is His “unmerited favor” toward us, not only in salvation, but also in the Christian life); is simply because we are commanded to do so. Growing in grace is not an option; otherwise it won’t matter if we didn’t. But God knows that if left to ourselves, i.e. to our wisdom and abilities, we would definitely revert back to our “old life”; or what we used to be without Christ. We have to always remember that growing in grace is God freely giving us what we need that we cannot provide for ourselves. In the Lord Jesus saying that “for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5), He is making it very clear that just as the branches apart from the vine CANNOT produce any fruit, the same is true that the Christian apart from the Lord Jesus and His grace would be utterly impossible to live the Christian life. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that we obey the Word of God to “grow in grace”, or for sure, we will fail miserably to live as Christ; or the apostle John puts it: “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked” (1 John 2:6).

The second reason why we need to “grow in grace” is that even though we have been “born again” (John 3:3, 5, 7) and have become “a new creature”; or creation “in Christ” and our lives have began anew (2 Corinthians 5:17), we are still indwelt by our sinful nature! The believer will always wrestle and struggle with the temptation to sin! What the apostle Paul anguished about in Romans 7 is true of every true child of God: “Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me” (verses 17-20). But it is only as we are “strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1) that we can overcome sin in our lives; and yet it is not us but the grace of God given to us that we can effectually do so by His Spirit if grace. Therefore, as we “grow in grace”, the stronger we become as by faith we receive “grace for grace” so that as indwelling sin raises its ugly head, we will not obey it in its lusts; “for sin shall not have dominion over (us): for (we) are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:12, 14).

Also, the third reason why we need to “grow in grace” is that, not only do we have to content with indwelling sin, but also with the attacks from outside. Our spiritual war is described in Ephesians 6: “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…” (verses 13-18). Notice, beloved, that all of the spiritual graces mentioned here are spiritual gifts given to us by the grace of God! At the moment of conversion, they are all given to us; nevertheless, to be “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (v. 10), we have to “grow in grace”, by which we “may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (v. 11); “for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (v. 12). For sure, without the grace of God, we will be defeated!

Then, the fourth reason why we need to “grow in grace” is so we can serve the Lord we should. Note what the apostle Paul says with reference to this: “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10). I realize that many of us can be very active in “serving the Lord”, but there is such a thing as doing it in the flesh. On the other hand, grace will humble us and keep us totally dependent on the Lord and His wisdom and strength. This will keep us from attributing any success in our labor for the Lord and His cause to the methodology of man but that it is all due to the free favor of God is using us for His glory; and as we “grow in grace”, it is “not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God” (2 Corinthians 3:5).

Furthermore, the fifth reason we need to “grow in grace” is due to the suffering we most certainly will experience in our lives for Christ. Note these precious words: “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9, 10). I believe we can say without equivocation that suffering in the Christian’s life can be considered “normal”. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps”; and “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator” (1 Peter 2:21; 4:19). But no matter the suffering in our lives, the more we “grow in grace”, the stronger we get; therefore, we will be able to overcome because it will be Christ’s grace that will impart His strength to do so; or as the Psalmist states: “The LORD will give strength unto his people” (Psalm 29:11); “In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul” (138:3). Amen!

Then, the sixth reason we need to ‘grow in grace” is that so we can be bold witness of the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. “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). Since “great power” and “great grace” has to come from the Lord to His people, either for service, or gifts, or relationships, it cannot be denied that grace is needed for a powerful testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ. Generally, a Christian may witness to their experience in being saved by the Lord; nevertheless, “great grace” is needed with “great power” in order to be a bold witness of the Lord. To “grow in grace” assures the believer to witness “also in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Corinthians 2:4) so that our testimony is not “in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance” (2 Thessalonians 1:5). Therefore, beloved, as we “grow in grace”, we become bolder in witnessing due to the power of “the Spirit of grace” (cp. Hebrews 10:29) in our lives.

But now, let us consider that growing in grace also includes growing “in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). In fact, our text makes it clear that to grow in grace is coupled with it. It would be a contradiction for one to think they’re growing in grace and yet not know the Lord more and more in their lives. To “grow…in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” is not simply knowing more about Him, but to know Him and ALL that He is in His Person ‘so as to be more like him and to love him better’. The more one grows in grace is to know Him more; and in this knowledge of our Lord and Savior, it ‘conforms us more to him, and endears him more to us, must needs be of great use to us, to preserve us from falling off in times of general apostasy; and those who experience this effect of the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will, upon receiving such grace from him, give thanks and praise to him, and join with our apostle in saying, To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen’ (Matthew Henry’s Commentary).

Thus, we conclude the study of The Doctrine of The Grace of God; and my prayer is that in some small way it has been of spiritual benefit to you. If anything, may it help you to see that Grace is not only for the salvation of sinners, but also for the believer’s life; and that Grace is absolutely necessary. Without grace there can be no salvation; and for sure, if there is no salvation, then there is no grace for one to live for God. Truly, beloved, Grace is the fountain from which flows ALL the goodness of God to those that are not worthy of the least of His mercies and His truth; and it is “to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6). Amen.

A Testimony of the Gospel of Grace

A TESTIMONY OF THE GOSPEL OF GRACE

“To testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24)

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To testify of the Gospel of the Grace of God is a very wonderful privilege, but also a very humbling one, since we that have experienced it know and confess that that there is absolutely nothing in us and from us that can cause us to boast of anything that we have done in order for God to have mercy on us in salvation simply because ALL that He has done for us in Christ Jesus is “according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7). In other words, beloved, God has done us the favor in saving us even though we don’t deserve to be saved! That is true in every aspect and in every area that consists in the whole of salvation. No matter from which point of view one looks at it, ALL you can see is “Grace, grace, grace!” Therefore, it is no wonder, then, that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is also called “the gospel of the grace of God.”

But you know what is funny (and I don’t mean this in a laughing way), that there are so many professing Christians that claim to believe in the Grace of God; and that that is the only hope we have for salvation; yet at the same time they’ll turn around and tell you that salvation depends on YOU! By this they mean that you have the ability to do something about getting saved; or to put it in another way, that you have the “free will” to ‘make a decision for Christ’ anytime you want to; or it’s up to you to get saved since God has already done His part, now it corresponds to you to do yours! With such statements, beloved, they have done away with the Grace of God; for if it’s true that this is how you can be saved, in that case we have no testimony to give of “the gospel of the grace of God.” Not only do we contradict the inerrant Word of God, but it would be to call God (and I say this reverently) a liar; for He himself has said: “And there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45:21, 22). But praise God in that we can truly testify to the glorious truth that “by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8, 9). Hallelujah!!!

Now with this, let us consider some things that are very important and also essential to an understanding of what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about. Of course, all I would have to do is present the Scriptures that have reference to the points I will be making with respect to the testimony I will be giving. But I believe that by giving a personal testimony of what “the gospel of the grace of God” means to me, it will show that to believe the Gospel is not just simply an ‘intellectual assent’ to the truths of it, but that these glorious truths do have an effect in my faith and walk in my life. It has been said that doctrine is the foundation of the practice of what one believes; and how true this is as far as the Gospel of the Grace of God is concerned! It would be a contradiction for one to testify of the Grace of God; and yet that same Grace to be missing in the life of such a professing “Christian”! So as I share with you these wonderful truths, may it please “the God of all grace” (1 Peter 5:10), to show us not only if we truly believe them, but also live by them “to the praise of the glory of his grace” (Ephesians 1:6). Amen.

So, the first thing I want to testify “of the gospel of the grace of God” is that if it wasn’t for the Grace of God that is magnified in the Gospel, there would have been no hope whatsoever for me! You see, beloved, Grace has to do with Sin! The benefits of the Gospel could not have been given to me apart from the Grace of God. The reason for that is that I am a totally depraved sinner and “am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which (he) hast shewed unto (me)” (Genesis 32:10); and as such, I have a total inability to save myself; or to do anything to save myself! The Holy Scriptures not only tells me what I am before God as a sinner, but also if God were to leave me alone to my sin, ALL I would do is “add sin to sin” (Isaiah 30:1). This has been true of my life without the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior. But God was pleased to send “the Son of man” i.e. His beloved Son to “come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Why? Because as a totally depraved sinner, I wasn’t seeking the Lord, or even care to do so (“There is none that seeketh after God” – Romans 3:11), to be saved from my sins; for I was content in them. But oh, all praise be to my glorious Savior; for even though my sins are higher than Mt. Everest, yet His grace comes bounding over the mountains of my sins to reach me “in love to my soul to deliver it from the pit of corruption”, and “hast cast all my sins behind (his) back” (Isaiah 38:17); for “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20). Hallelujah!!!

Then, the second thing I want to testify “of the gospel of the grace of God” is for His “election of grace” (Romans 11:5), by which I was chosen to be a recipient of His grace! Otherwise, God would have passed over me and left me to perish in my sins. Of course, there was, or is, absolutely nothing in me and of me to recommend me or attract God to me other than His good pleasure that “from the beginning” to have “chosen (me) to salvation” (2 Thessalonians 2:13). If He hadn’t, there would be absolutely no hope whatsoever of salvation for me since in my total depravity I would never have had chosen God for my good! Yes, I can praise God knowing that He included me “according as he hath chosen (me) in (Christ) before the foundation of the world”; and this, beloved, “to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made (me) accepted in the beloved. In whom (I) have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:4, 6, 7); and oh, to know that this “grace, which was given (me) in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Timothy 1:9) in Election makes me with all joy and gratitude testify truly that the Gospel of salvation in Christ Jesus IS ‘the gospel of the grace of God”! Amen!

It follows that the third thing I want to testify “of the gospel of the grace of God” is that it includes God giving His beloved Son to die and to redeem me in particular. Christ DID NOT die on the Cross just to make it “possible” for me to be saved! He came with the purpose to save me in particular, which is true of everyone that is chosen by God for salvation. The apostle makes it clear that this is God’s plan: “Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Timothy 2:10). Therefore, I can say with ALL certainty based on “the gospel of the grace of God” that “the Son of God,…loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Not only that, but I also can testify that the reason I came to Jesus Christ for salvation is because the Father gave me in particular to His Son: The Lord Jesus Himself declares this: “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). The certainty of my salvation is that on the Cross the Son of God died to atone for my sins since I was chosen in Him, even before Genesis 1:1, to be definitely saved by Him! That is the glorious Truth of “the gospel of the grace of God”. Amen.

But now, the fourth thing I can testify “of the gospel of the grace of God” is the certainty of my salvation DID NOT DEPEND on my so-called “free will”, as I was taught erroneously years ago! NO, the certainty of my salvation was because the power of God’s Free Grace would overcome the resistance of my Total Depravity and Total Inability that I inherently and naturally had due to my sinful nature, with which I was conceived and born with. I remember that when I was first witnessed to of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I had no desire for it and I didn’t care to be saved. But then I also made all kinds of excuses, trying to justify myself by claiming that I believe in God and that as far as I was concerned, I was OK with Him. But because I was one of God’s elect, He just wouldn’t leave me alone! Even though I was the chiefest of sinners, that wasn’t going to stop Him; especially since I was one of His elect and He had given His Son in order to save me, His grace was going to provide ALL that I needed for my salvation; and how do I know that? Well, I have been saved; I am being saved; and I will be saved! His mighty grace has made me “willing in the day of (his) power” (Psalm 110:3) because the Father has drawn me and given me to come to my Lord and my Savior Jesus Christ to be saved by Him (John 6:44, 65). HALLELUJAH!!!

Finally, the fifth thing I can testify “of the gospel of the grace of God” is that God didn’t saved me so that I could live any way that I wanted to; on the contrary, He was going to make sure that I would persevere in holiness because “without holiness,…no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14); and besides, “God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness” (1 Thessalonians 4:7); therefore, we are to be “holy in all manner of conversation (of living); Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15, 16); and so, “dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). Holiness in my life as God’s elect is the assurance that I have been “saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation” (Isaiah 45:17). Holiness means that I am “sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ” (Jude 1) and that He “is able to keep (me) from falling, and to present (me) faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (v.24). My eternal security in Jesus Christ, or as many call it today, “Once Saved, Always Saved”, guarantees that I will be saved forever in Christ Jesus because His grace will be more than sufficient to keep me saved in holiness. ONLY the saints of God will be assured to go to be with the most Holy God in Christ Jesus! Amen!

That, beloved, is the testimony “of the gospel of the grace of God”! Notice that it is ALL “grace, grace, grace”; from beginning to the end; and yet there is no end of grace for us; for it is said “that in the ages to come (God) might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). Yes, throughout eternity we’ll see the grace that converted us from wickedness to holiness; the grace shown towards us in election; the grace given to us in the beloved Son who came to save us from our sins by dying for them; the grace that was more than sufficient to overcome our resistance to be saved; and of course, the grace that enabled us to persevere “to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:14). Anything less than this, oh people of God, is no Gospel at all; for as the apostle Paul warn the Galatians believers “that (they were) so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel” (1:6); and so any so-called “gospel” is “to pervert the gospel of Christ” (v.7), i.e. “the gospel of the grace of God”. Any professing “Christian” that receives “another gospel: Which is not another” (vv.6, 7) is to reject “the God of all grace” (1 Peter 5:10) and to despise “the Spirit of grace” (Hebrews 10:29); and for sure, will not from the fullness of the Lord Jesus Christ receive “grace for (upon) grace” (John 1:16).

What about you, my dear friend, do YOU have A Testimony of the Grace of God; or can you “testify to the gospel of the grace of God”? Oh, I pray that after reading this testimony, you will be able to for the sake of your soul; and this is my prayer in the glorious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sin Necessitates God's Sovereign Will

What would happen to lost sinners if it was left up to them to make a decision for salvation? In other words, what hope would anyone of us have of salvation if it depended on us to not only to desire to be saved, but to be able to do anything of our own to be saved from our sins? To put it simply there would absolutely be no hope whatsoever of salvation if in any way we had to save ourselves as shown in our previous post, Sin Necessitates Grace. The only hope we have is for God of His sovereign will to intervene in our behalf; otherwise, we would be lost forever!

Of course, man in his pride abhors the truth that God has to save us on the basis that it simply pleases Him to do so. Man is so in love with himself and his supposed abilities that to be told that if God doesn't save him from his sins, he would rather call God a liar than to admit that his salvation has to be totally of God's free and sovereign grace. Nevertheless, no matter what man says, we can assert without no doubt whatsoever, Sin Necessitates God's Sovereign Will in our salvation.

Now, the question that might arise is why does sin necessitate God's sovereign will if we are to have any hope of salvation? I believe that to answer this question we have to first consider what sin has done to mankind and how it has affected his relationship with God. Remember that God created the first man, i.e. Adam, sinless; in other words, he did not have a sinful nature. So also is it true of Eve. But as the inerrant Word of God tells us Adam disobeyed God; and in doing so, he died spiritually and became a sinner. At that moment his sinless nature became a sinful nature; and as consequence man by natural procreation is born as a sinner. What David said in Psalm 51 is true of every human being born from Adam and Eve, our first parents: "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me" (v.5). Therefore, from conception we are sinners and we come into this world as sinners "for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12); or as it can be translated, "in whom all have sinned", i.e. in Adam.

That being the case, sin has made us spiritually dead and totally unable to do anything of ourselves for our salvation, it now remains for God to intervene on our behalf if He so wills according to Romans 9:16-"So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy". That being the case, it remains, then, if anyone of us are to be saved, God has to be willing to save us; and simply because it pleased Him to do so. Otherwise, none of us would be saved if left to our own sinful nature.

Sin Necessitates Grace

Grace is the fountain from which flows all that the sinner needs for his salvation. Stop it up and there is absolutely no hope at all for them. In fact, grace has to do with sin. Apart from the grace of God, the sinner has no place where to go to obtain the forgiveness of sin and the salvation of his soul. Why? Because we are specifically told by the Word of God that "by grace are (we) saved through faith; and that not of (ourselves): it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8); for it is "the grace of God that bringeth salvation" (Titus 2:11).

Now, what is grace; and of course, we mean, the grace of God? I would believe that generally all professing Christians would agree that grace means the "unmerited favor" of God; and I also would think that they would agree this means that God does us the "favor" of saving us from our sins even though we do not "merit" it. But we will see that as we continue studying this subject, that even though it is a simple truth of "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24), yet it is a much more profound truth because it has to do with the eternal "God of all grace" (1 Peter 5:10), who would even consider to save the chiefest of sinners!

As I said, grace has to do with sin; and this is brought out very clearly in the doctrines of the Total Depravity and the Total Inability of Man. It is not that man is just simply a "sinner" that needs a little "push" from God to get started to move towards God for help; on the contrary, due to the spiritual deadness that he is in because of his "trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1), not only is he "totally unable" to do anything of his own, but is willing to die in his corruption; and what is worse, he loves it! That is what sin has done to ALL OF US, including you and I! There is no exception.

Therefore, that being our case because of sin, we can see why it necessitates the grace of God if we are to be saved, as Arthur Pink puts it, from the love of sin, from the penalty of sin, from the power of sin, and from the presence of sin (Fourfold Salvation), which is God's "so great salvation" (Hebrews 2:3).

Now, as God looks from heaven upon mankind, what does He see? Does He see persons that are holy and righteous that love Him so much that they seek Him with so such a fervent desire to be with Him? Or, does He see them actively involve in doing good to one another in order to bring Him glory in all that they do? What does the Word of God say? I tell you what: It's not a very pretty picture that we see of us! "The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Psalm 14:2,3). Compare this with Romans 3:10ff.

Besides that, we are so wicked that we want nothing to do with our Creator to the point we dare to tell Him so: (Job 21:14,15). "Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?" Yes, in our sinful nature that we are born with we can be classified as "haters of God" (Romans 1:30). Do we dare to think, then, that we are so lovable and attractive to God that He has no other choice but to love us and to save us because we deserve it? I definitely think not! We are so "totally depraved", my dear readers, that not only God cannot find anything in us to obligate Him to us, but He would even be just to cast each and every one of us into hell! But for the riches of His grace!!!

Furthermore, in our Total Depravity not only do we "add sin to sin" (Isaiah 30:1) because "the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment" (1:5,6), but also there is absolutely nothing that we can do about it!The following questions are true of the sinner: Can the dead give themselves life? Can the Ethiopian or leopard change the color of their skin? Can one give themselves a heart operation? Can a dead and lost sinner, who is slave of sin, Satan and of the world, deliver themselves from their power? The answer is a resounding NO!

Therefore, due to his Total Inability, which is a result of his Total Depravity, man finds himself in a very desperate and hopeless state if salvation in any way depended on him to do something about it. The Lord Jesus Himself makes it very clear: "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him"; and "no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father" (John 6:44,65). In other words, absolutely not one person has the power within themselves to even desire, much less to make a move towards the Lord Jesus to be saved by Him! Remember, man is spiritually "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1), that unless God of His grace gives him life and calls him out of his grave, he cannot pass "from death unto life" (John 5:24,25). Remember Lazarus - John 11:43,44.

We conclude, then, that Sin Necessitates Grace; in other words, our only hope for salvation rests in the Free and Sovereign Grace of God from the beginning to the end; from the first to the last; and that even the grace given to us has to be given to us "by Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:4); for it is "of his fulness" that we receive "grace for (upon) grace" (John 1:16), so that in God saving us, it is "according to the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7). Hallelujah!!!

So, in closing let us warn ourselves about two things: Do not think that in any way we can add anything to the grace of God, no matter how minuscule it might be: Our salvation is ALL OF GRACE! PERIOD! Then, let us not think that God will save us simply because He is "the God of all grace" (1 Peter 5:10), which He is; but because He has "made us accepted (i.e. He has graced us) in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins..." (Ephesians 1:6,7). To put it this way: It is through , and by, and at Calvary that grace comes to us; and the proof that it saves with an everlasting salvation is that our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, is ALIVE! Amen

Salvation - ALL OF GRACE!!!

Religion, and I mean, man's religion, has always been opposed to salvation being all of grace. Even within the Christian community, there are those that will try to find some way to make the salvation of sinners dependent on man doing something in order to gain or deserve their salvation. It makes no difference what it might be, at the minimum, they claim that God has to respect man's decision to be saved from their sins. Otherwise, they also claim, God would be interfering with their right of 'free will'.

It is my intention, by the grace of God, via this blog to magnify the Free and Sovereign Grace of God in the salvation of sinners. I know that there are more able and capable men of God that can and are doing a better job than I could ever do; nevertheless, I believe that the little bit that I do for the cause of "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24), my prayer is that "the God of all grace" (1 Peter 5:10) will be pleased to bless it, even if it is to just one person that "the Spirit of grace" (Hebrews 10:29) will direct here. In fact, if YOU are reading this article, YOU are that person!

Therefore, all of the articles that I will post, whether my own, or of any other servant of God, will be to emphasize that salvation is ALL OF GRACE, from the first to the last, from the beginning to the end; and that man has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with God's "so great salvation" (Hebrews 2:3) other than what He grants to the sinner "according to the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7). Of course, in doing so, we will bring out the glorious truths of the Doctrines of Grace, which will prove why our salvation has to be ALL OF GRACE!

Rest assured, my dear readers, I do not intend to lift up any particular church or denomination, or the writings of man, but to glorify the only true and living God, to exalt His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to magnify His grace, and to proclaim all of the inerrant and infallible Word of God. In doing so, the goal of this blog will be proven to be true of salvation, It's ALL OF GRACE! Amen.