The Attributes of God: The Grace of God

Grace is defined as God's unmerited favor, demonstrated by His free gift of salvation through His divine love, forgiveness, and acceptance towards unworthy and undeserving beings. It is something that He only pours out to His chosen people, the elect. We don't find God's grace mentioned anywhere in Scripture in connection with mankind as a whole. Divine grace is the sovereign and saving favor of God towards those who have no merit. Grace cannot be bought, earned, or won by anyone. Romans 11:5-6 tells us that “God chose a remnant by grace. And if by grace, then it is not by works; otherwise grace ceases to be grace." 

When something is said to be by "grace" it means that the recipient has no claim on it and it wasn't due or owed to him. It comes to him as pure and complete charity. We cannot talk about grace independent of salvation and we cannot talk about salvation in the absence of grace. They go hand in hand.

Throughout his epistles, Paul explains how grace stands in direct opposition to works and worthiness. "For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift--not from works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9.

God's grace has three key characteristics:

First, we must recognize that God's grace is eternal. In other words, His grace was planned before it was exercised or put into practice. "He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began." 2 Timothy 1:9. 

Second, it is free and cannot be purchased. "They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Romans 3:24. 

And thirdly, it is sovereign, because God exercises and bestows it upon whom He pleases. "Even so might grace reign.” Romans 5:21. If grace reigns, then it is on the throne with the occupant of the throne who is sovereign. "Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need." Hebrews 4:16. Because grace is an unmerited favor, we must view it in a sovereign manner. The Lord declares in Exodus 33:19, "I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious.”

Salvation and eternal life is a gift which can't be earned by good works, or claimed as a right. And, because it is a gift, no one has a right to tell God who He should bestow this gift upon. 

The fact that grace cannot be earned or won by any of man's efforts makes it even more difficult for the self-righteous to receive. This also arouses hot protests from rebels of the Gospel. This is explained in Romans 9:20 as the clay rising up against the Potter and asking, "Why did you make me like this?”

The distinguishing grace of God is seen in saving those people whom He has sovereignly singled out to be His own. The grace of God is manifested in, by, and through the Lord Jesus Christ. "The law was given by Moses, grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." John 1:17. The grace of God is proclaimed in the Gospel (Acts 20:24). It is a stumbling block to the self-righteous Jew and foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to those who are being saved. The Gospel regards all descendants of Adam as fallen, helpless sinners who are guilty, condemned, perishing criminals. The grace which the Gospel proclaims is their only hope.

This same grace has been bestowed upon us, not because of who we are or anything that we have done. It is solely because of God's sovereign decision. Instead of asking why, we should be rejoicing in the fact that He singled us out and we should be proclaiming His grace through the Gospel.

Pastor Bryan

PREVIOUS ARTICLES

2/05/2026 – "Out of the Depths" – Ed

1/29/2026 – Isaiah 10:5-19 – David

1/22/2026 – The Patience of God – Bryan

1/15/2026 – "The Shepherd who Left Home" – Ed

1/08/2026 – Isaiah 9:8-10:4 – David

1/01/2026 – The Goodness of God – Bryan

Weekly Word Archive (2025 and earlier)