Grace is probably the most important word in the Bible and possibly the least understood. Ask anyone on the street if they know about God’s grace and they would say, “Grace who?” Most think of grace as a woman’s name. Sadly, this may be true for some Christians, too.
Grace, the word, is in the Bible around 170 times depending on which resource is used. The definition according to Christianity is the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings. The first time grace is used in the Bible is Genesis 6:8, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” God looked on Noah and Noah found favor with God. God’s grace saved him. Noah didn’t save himself.
God was set to destroy mankind and decided to save Noah and his family. That’s grace. When Moses appeared before Pharaoh to plead the case for God’s people, the Israelites, it was God’s grace that was going to lead them out of Egypt to the promised land. It was God who was going to save them. Exodus 19:4-6 is a recap of what God did for his people.
Once God saved them, though, there was something the Israelites needed to do. It was to “...obey my voice, and keep my covenant...” (Exodus 19:5) This was a teachable moment for the people and it took a while for them to get it. Like Pastor Josh has stated more than once, “God doesn’t want tire kickers. He wants people who will get up out of the pews and carry God’s grace to others.”
This brings us to Titus 2:11-15. It’s around 1500 years later. Jesus has been crucified, buried and arose the third day. He’s ascended to heaven and the Apostle Paul is on the scene. What does Paul have to say? Titus 2: 11 starts off, “For the grace of God...”. All men are now aware that God operates from a position of grace. It’s God’s grace that saves us just like he did Noah and the people of Israel. But, remember, God doesn’t save us to just sit back and do nothing.
The next verse says that God teaches us. Grace then salvation then “...live soberly, righteously, and godly...”, this is the teaching part. Why do all this? Verse 13 says it all, “Looking for that blessed hope...”. Jesus will come again. For those who aren’t sure about that, the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25 teaches a worthy lesson. It’s one about being prepared.
God’s grace. It’s the way He operates. What happens that someone finds favor in His eyes. Nothing really. He sees all and He knows all. Hearts are touched. It’s that indefinable tug that pulls us toward Him. Some hang on to that tug wanting more and discover a better way. Wanting more leads us closer to a relationship with the Creator. The promise of an eternal life with the One who saved you. What more could anyone want.
Grace, the word, is in the Bible around 170 times depending on which resource is used. The definition according to Christianity is the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings. The first time grace is used in the Bible is Genesis 6:8, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” God looked on Noah and Noah found favor with God. God’s grace saved him. Noah didn’t save himself.
God was set to destroy mankind and decided to save Noah and his family. That’s grace. When Moses appeared before Pharaoh to plead the case for God’s people, the Israelites, it was God’s grace that was going to lead them out of Egypt to the promised land. It was God who was going to save them. Exodus 19:4-6 is a recap of what God did for his people.
Once God saved them, though, there was something the Israelites needed to do. It was to “...obey my voice, and keep my covenant...” (Exodus 19:5) This was a teachable moment for the people and it took a while for them to get it. Like Pastor Josh has stated more than once, “God doesn’t want tire kickers. He wants people who will get up out of the pews and carry God’s grace to others.”
This brings us to Titus 2:11-15. It’s around 1500 years later. Jesus has been crucified, buried and arose the third day. He’s ascended to heaven and the Apostle Paul is on the scene. What does Paul have to say? Titus 2: 11 starts off, “For the grace of God...”. All men are now aware that God operates from a position of grace. It’s God’s grace that saves us just like he did Noah and the people of Israel. But, remember, God doesn’t save us to just sit back and do nothing.
The next verse says that God teaches us. Grace then salvation then “...live soberly, righteously, and godly...”, this is the teaching part. Why do all this? Verse 13 says it all, “Looking for that blessed hope...”. Jesus will come again. For those who aren’t sure about that, the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25 teaches a worthy lesson. It’s one about being prepared.
God’s grace. It’s the way He operates. What happens that someone finds favor in His eyes. Nothing really. He sees all and He knows all. Hearts are touched. It’s that indefinable tug that pulls us toward Him. Some hang on to that tug wanting more and discover a better way. Wanting more leads us closer to a relationship with the Creator. The promise of an eternal life with the One who saved you. What more could anyone want.
