What is Grace?

[convicted1]

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The other night at work, I began pondering about God's Grace, and all that it entails. Now here is the question. What is Grace? I don't want the definition "unmerited favor", but I want what it really is. God showed me something, and I want to see how many of us are on the same page. I preached on this saturday evening at our monthly business meeting(by the help of the Lord) and used Titus chapter 2:11-12.

11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Now, I don't want this to be a C/A debate, because I haven't intended it to go in that direction, but rather I want to know what "Grace" really is. Not who it is intended for, what did it accomplish, etc. Just tell me what y'all think Grace really is. I love you all!!

i am I ams!!

Willis

 

[Cypress]

The grace of God that has appeared to all men is in essence the Lord Jesus.

 

[Dr. Bob]

One must also factor in that "grace" is not always used the same way in the Word. Context will help us see whether it is grace that gives us regeneration/new birth (and then we repent/believe - true Augustinain prevenient grace) or just tells us of the Gospel (to everyone and not saving, just allowing US to exercise our will to be save - true semi-pelagian works).

In salvation we are rescued from God’s wrath by his grace alone. This grace involves "the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit that brings us to Christ by releasing us from our bondage to sin and raising us from spiritual death to spiritual life. It is NOT, in any sense, a human work or cooperation of our fallen nature/will with divine influence. Human methods, techniques or strategies by themselves cannot accomplish this transformation. Faith is not produced by our unregenerated human nature."

 

[Bro K]

To me Grace is the Love of God; for which there is no greater picture of Love than Calvary.

 

[SolaSaint]

In the context here in Titus I believe Grace to be simply God revealing the gospel to His people.

 

[Cutter]

Jesus is God's grace manifested in the flesh. John said, "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."

 

[Tom Butler]

When God extends his favor or blessing to those who don't deserve it, that is grace.

Obviously, the redemption plan is an example of providing a way of escape from the pentalty of sin to those who are still in their sin.

When God sends a preacher, evangelist, missionary or a perfect stranger to tell of that way of escape, that is grace. It is a favor not extended to everyone.

 

[kyredneck]

.... I don't want the definition "unmerited favor", but I want what it really is.......

Willis, I did a little phrase search on the grace of God (Sunday morn before Church), and I must conclude that 'unmerited favor' seems to define the overall gist of it very well. And that 'unmerited favor' came to us at His great sacrifice.

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich. 2 Cor 8:9

 

[DHK]

I don't want the definition "unmerited favor", but I want what it really is.
Willis

But that is what it really is. It really is God's unmerited favor.
God sends the rain upon the just and unjust alike, even though we don't deserve it.
God sends the sunshine on the just and the unjust alike, even though we don't deserve it.
We are guilty sinners deserving only of the wrath of God, deserving only of an eternity of separation from God for all eternity in a place called Hell. But God in His mercy sent his son to die for our sin (even though we don't deserve it) to make an atonement for us that we might have forgiveness of sins and have eternal life.

Grace is God's unmerited favor. What else could it be?

 

[Winman]

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

I believe God's grace means his favor also. Now, I fully agree we have no goodness or righteousness that ever deserves grace, but I believe receiving God's grace is conditional upon having faith. Faith is not a righteousness in ourselves, it is recognizing God's righteousness. It is looking at God and his righteousness, not our own (of which we have none).

Titus 2:11 says God's grace has "appeared" to all men. That is, it can be seen. That does not mean all men receive God's grace. I believe this verse is speaking of God's Word, as in the next verse it says we are taught by this grace.

And I agree it is also Jesus, for Jesus is the Word of God. He is the Word made flesh. He is the Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

But even light must be received. The sun can be shining bright outside, but you might choose to remain indoors in darkness.

So, while I completely agree that God's grace is undeserved, it must be received by faith.

 

[pinoybaptist]

Grace is a Holy, sinless and Righteous God before whom all creation MUST bow down, pitching his tent among unrighteous and filthy sinners, living the righteous life of trust to and faith in God they can never do, and then taking the punishment upon Himself that they richly deserve, that they may have eternal life like Him and dwell with Him in His heaven, requiring nothing from and in them.

Grace is a Holy, sinless and Righteous God before whom all creation MUST bow down, offering His only begotten Son up on the cross as a sin offering to Him on behalf of sinners among whom no spotless lamb, without blemish, can be found.

No matter which way you look at it, you still come down to unmerited favor.

 

[DHK]

So, while I completely agree that God's grace is undeserved, it must be received by faith.

Pray tell, how do you receive the sunshine and rain by faith?

 

[pinoybaptist]

Pray tell, how do you receive the sunshine and rain by faith?

good question.
wonder if it'll get a good answer.

 

[psalms109:31]

Roman's

Romans
23The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, 24but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Romans 5
Peace and Joy
1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[Or let us]have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[Or let us] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

 

[psalms109:31]

Grace

How can we pay our debt when our debt is death?

Which is not salvation, so the only way to be saved is by grace through faith that has come from God through the words of Jesus.

 

[Winman]

Pray tell, how do you receive the sunshine and rain by faith?

I am not saying that God does not give us his grace freely. The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. So, God's grace is made available to all, but all will not receive it.

John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

Here Jesus is compared to light. And how many men does this verse say the light lighteths? Every man. So, every man has the revelation of the truth of God available to them. Even you must admit that the scriptures are available to all men whether elect or non-elect, regenerate or unregenetate. No? So, this is like the sunshine or the rain you asked about.

But not all men come to the light. Come is just another word for believe, Jesus often used these words interchangeably. Here is an example:

John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

As you can see in John 6:35, coming to Jesus and believing on him are one and the same.

But Jesus said not all men come to the light because they love darkness.

John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

The word cometh in John 3:20-21 also means to believe. Jesus is light, he is truth. If not for God's grace in giving us the truth, we would be in total darkness and ignorance. We would not know of Jesus and therefore could not trust on him.

Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Unless God revealed himself and his Son Jesus through the scriptures, it would be impossible for man to be saved. So, this is the grace of God given to all men freely. But you have to believe or come to the light. Not all men do, because Jesus said some men love darkness. So, God's grace can be refused.

 

[DHK]

I am not saying that God does not give us his grace freely. The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. So, God's grace is made available to all, but all will not receive it.

John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

Here Jesus is compared to light. And how many men does this verse say the light lighteths? Every man. So, every man has the revelation of the truth of God available to them. Even you must admit that the scriptures are available to all men whether elect or non-elect, regenerate or unregenetate. No? So, this is like the sunshine or the rain you asked about.

No, I do not agree. I have been in countries where they have yet to have a Bible translated into their own language. Not all nations do have a Bible in their own language. Whatever gave you the assumption that they do?
Do you not believe in the Great Commission, and that its responsibility lies directly upon you. The Great Commission was not fulfilled by William Carey and Adoniram Judson alone.

But not all men come to the light. Come is just another word for believe, Jesus often used these words interchangeably. Here is an example:

John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

As you can see in John 6:35, coming to Jesus and believing on him are one and the same.

But Jesus said not all men come to the light because they love darkness.

May I suggest that all men have not come to him because those that have the light have not gone with the light they have to those who have not the light, and have thus shirked their responsibility.

Romans 10:14-15 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
--It is interesting that the Bible's command is always to GO, but never is there any "call" for the Christian to remain at home.

John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

The word cometh in John 3:20-21 also means to believe. Jesus is light, he is truth. If not for God's grace in giving us the truth, we would be in total darkness and ignorance. We would not know of Jesus and therefore could not trust on him.

If it were not for another person who took the time (after 20 years in darkness) to tell me the gospel, I would still be in darkness today. Is the church shirking their responsibility? Carey went in spite of the Calvinistic teachings of his church.

Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Unless God revealed himself and his Son Jesus through the scriptures, it would be impossible for man to be saved. So, this is the grace of God given to all men freely. But you have to believe or come to the light. Not all men do, because Jesus said some men love darkness. So, God's grace can be refused.

Thus grace is unmerited favor. The gospel is unmerited favor. The sacrifice of Christ is unmerited favor. The communication of the gospel is unmerited favor though it is commanded and our duty, and ought to be done out of love--"the love of Christ constraineth us." The working of the Holy Spirit is unmerited favor. If you believe that salvation is all of God, then salvation is unmerited favor.

 

[thegospelgeek]

My 2 cents.

Grace is God's unmerrited favor, but it is more. Grace is his unmerrited favor towards us made possible by Christ sacrifice for sin. Much of what is defined as grace is really God's mercy.

It does rain on the just and unjust because of his mercy, not his grace. He was merciful to me as a sinner, but saved me by His grace.

mercy=God's goodness to all/person/persons.
Grace= God's goodness vie Christ blood.

I hope it makes sense. I am not the best at explaining on a BB.

 

[AresMan]

God the Father bestowed grace on me by drawing me and giving me to the Son, when I did not deserve it.
God the Son bestowed grace on me by paying the penalty for my sin and keeping me, when I did not deserve it.
God the Holy Spirit bestowed grace on me by regenerating me, comforting me, and keeping me in the fold, when I did not deserve it.

 

[Rippon]

Carey went in spite of the Calvinistic teachings of his church.
Thus grace is unmerited favor.

Calvinism does not inhibit the proclamation of the Gospel or Missions. If you are referencing the alleged statement of John Ryland Sr. -- his son, a good friend of Carey has denied that his father ever said such a thing. Now, hyper-Calvinism is another matter. However,mainstream Calvinism is not against the Great Commission -- Calvinists such as Carey were at the very forefront of missions and evangelistic preaching. Others ,(i.e. non-Cals) followed in their train.