God’s Amazing Grace

By Paul Earnhart

Introduction

The word "grace" is not strange to us....we "say grace", we speak of others as "graceful", others as "graceless" (awkward, inept), we rejoice when a debt is due for a "grace period", speak of being in someone's "good graces"; musicians add "grace notes".

Comes from a Latin word which means "beloved, dear".  Can mean "attractiveness, charm; easy natural elegance" (Prov. 31:30); can also refer to a virtue or virtues.

But, in the Biblical sense it refers to divine mercy or forgiveness.
Eph. 2:1-8    2 Cor. 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

Greek word for grace is charis.  It means: (1) "that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech [Col. 4:6]  (2) good-will, lovingkindness, favor, Lk. 2:52...  The word contains the idea of kindness which bestows upon one what he has not deserved, Rom. 11:6...  N.T. writers use charis pre-eminently of that kindness by which God bestows favors even upon the ill-deserving, and grants to sinners the pardon of their offenses, and bids them accept eternal salvation through Christ:  Rom. 3:24

In 1997 a popular religious writer wrote a book entitled "What's So Amazing about Grace?"

We want to address this very important question.

  1. is a Part of God's Character -- His Unchanging Nature

Numbers 14:17-21
Psalm 103:8-14
Micah 7:18-20
Eph. 1:7
Rom. 3:24-26
In these passages the giving and forgiving nature of God is seen. 
This is the meaning of His grace.

  1. Grace means giving

It is God's nature to give of Himself and all that is His to His creatures.  God's love and grace contain the idea of self-giving.

Charizomai (Rom. 8:32) "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?"

Charisma (Rom.6:23) "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

When God's love in the form of grace reaches down to us in our sinfulness, the gift it gives is forgiveness and by it salvation.

  1. Grace means forgiving

Verb form of charis can specifically mean "to forgive"

Col. 2:13  And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses." Eph. 4:32  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you." Psalm 86:5  For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive." Psalm 32:1-5  Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit. ....I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,' And You forgave the iniquity of my sin."

But Hatred for Sin is Also a Part of God's Character.  God is Righteous.
Rom. 1:18  Heb. 1:8-9

The Crisis:  cannot have fellowship with darkness  1 John:5-6
We have all sinned  Rom. 3:10,23
The wages of sin is death, Rom. 6:23
Yet, God wants all men to be saved, 1 Tim. 2:3-4,  2 Peter 3:9 The Cross:  dies for us to satisfy God's righteousness
God forgives us to express His love and mercy
Rom. 3:24-26

Grace means "Favor bestowed When Wrath is Owed".

Grace is not merely unmerited favor; it is the very opposite of what is deserved.   It is undeserved kindness instead of deserved condemnation.

That is what makes grace so amazing!

  1. Why Grace is so Amazing

    1. God's purpose to save us was formed before the world was made.
      1 Peter 1:18-20  Eph. 1:4-5  What patient endurance!
    2. God bestowed His grace on us while we were His enemies.
      Rom. 5:8-10
    3. God is not only willing to forgive when we seek Him but He comes seeking us.
      Luke 19:10  Luke 15
    4. God forgives all our sins.
      1 John 1:7

    2.  

  2. What Grace Demands Grace is not without demands or conditions.  God does not forgive you to leave you as you are.

    1. Grace trains us in a new life. 
      Titus 2:11-12
    2. Grace leads us to also be gracious, loving and forgiving. 
      Mt. 5:7; 6:15; Jn. 13:35
    3. Grace expects growth. 
      2 Peter 3:18
    4. Grace requires suffering. 
      1 Peter 2:20-22; 4:12-14; 5:12
    5. Grace brings submission and obedience. 
      Heb. 5:8-9

     

  1. If God Wants All to Be Saved, Why Are All Not Saved?
    1. Forgiveness is only possible by Christ's atoning death. 
      John 14:6
    2. God's grace comes only to those who believe in Jesus. 
      John 3:16  Rom. 10:9-10
    3. God's grace comes only to those whose faith leads them to repent. 
      2 Peter 3:9  Luke13:3
    4. God's grace is only for those whose penitent faith leads them to be baptized into Christ.
      Mark 16:15-16  Acts 2:38

Do not receive the grace of God in vain.  2 Cor. 6:1-2

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