◄ Indefinable Grace ►

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Corinthians 13:14

Definitions of Grace

Grace is often defined as God’s unmerited favour – but grace covers so much more, God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense is another truism – but it falls far short of the truth. There are many such helpful acrostics that have sought to explain the grace of God:-

Acrostics of Grace

Genuinely Redeemed And Cleansed Eternally

Gained Redemption And Completely Exempt

God Reaching Abounding Caring Eventually.

God Reconciled All Committed Enmity

Ditties of Grace

Some use little catchy ditties or rhymes to remind themselves of God’s grace:
Given by God mercifully,
Riches in Christ bestowed freely,
Atonement sacrificially,
Christ in us the hope of glory,
Evermore undeservedly.

Goodness and favour from God most high,
Redeemer from heaven sent down to die.
A Saviour born Who is Christ the Lord,
Cancelled the sins of all who believe;
Eternal life – a gift to all who receive.

Letters of Grace

Often a sermon on salvation is beautifully woven into the initial letters of GRACE,
G – Salvation is a Gift of God – a Good Gift that is Granted to all
R – Salvation is Redemption – Received by faith, Reuniting us with God
A – Salvation is Accepted by God’s love, Available to All, Accessible through faith
C – Salvation Comes thru Christ Crucified Who paid the Cost at the Cross
E – Salvation Ends in Eternal life and is an Everlasting gift – and an Escape

Songs of Grace

Sonnets and songs have been written to rejoice in God wonderful saving grace. Talks and testimonies reminding us that it is all about God’s unmerited favour to us.

G..It is God . . It’s about what God does, not me.
(Rom. 11:6; 1 Cor. 15:10; 2 Cor. 12:9; Eph. 2:8-9)
R..It is God Reaching. . down and initiating reconciliation of man to Himself.
(Jn. 1:14; 2 Cor. 8:9)
A..It is God’s Abundantly giving us more than we could ever expect or deserve.
(Jn. 1:16; Rom. 5:17; 2 Cor.9:8; Eph. 2:7; 1 Tim. 1:14)
C..It is about God Caring enough to send Jesus to die in our place.
(Eph. 1:7; 2 Thess.2:16)
E..It is about being Eternally unendingly, unconditionally accepted in Christ.
(Eph.1:6; 2 Tim.1:9; Titus 3:7)

Familiar Concept

Grace is a familiar concept to believers but over time has lost some of its dynamic. The all-encompassing nature of grace eludes any genuine, all-inclusive definition. Grace has its roots in the infinite nature of God and its fruit in His eternal attributes. Grace is founded on the sovereignty of God and shows forth His unconditional love. Grace is God’s over-abounding provision, not only in the physical but in the spiritual. Grace not only restores what was lost in Eden but adds to it an unknown expanse.

Strombeck’s Definition

 Grace was once defined by Strombeck as:  “the unmerited abounding provision of the unrestrained operation of God’s infinite love through Christ Jesus on behalf of man – especially he who depends on Him.”

Common Grace

God’s common grace is extended to saved and unsaved alike – all humanity.. "for every good and perfect gift comes from above". James 1:17 – "For God causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good. He sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous". Matthew 5:45 God’s gracious provision even provides the breath of those that curse Him.

Special Grace

But there is a special grace for those that have accessed salvation by grace, through faith: Strombeck writes the following: Grace is God’s provision to bring into being, sustain and perfect His new creation in Christ. It is the operation of His infinite love on behalf of such as are worthy of everlasting punishment. This outpouring of God’s infinite love is possible only because Jesus Christ, by His death, fully satisfied the demands of God’s justice. As grace came by Jesus Christ – only those who receive Him as Saviour are ‘under grace’.

Riches of God’s Grace

Let us reflect on the riches of God’s grace towards us. Let us meditate on all that has been poured out on we, who are his children.  Surely through time and eternity, we will be praising God for His indefinable grace.