Essential Doctrine Series, Part 6
Concerning Salvation - Grace
Grace can be defined by the acronym God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. It literally means that people receive the kindness of God when they do nothing to deserve it. In the Bible, we see that grace manifests itself in two different ways.
1. Common grace - Genesis 2: 16-17; 3:6; Romans 3:23
· Why would God do this? God extends common grace to the masses so that He can redeem over time those who would be saved, to demonstrate His goodness and mercy, and to demonstrate His justice and glory in due time.
2. Saving grace - Ephesians 2:1-9
· Saving grace is the kindness of God to give people what they never deserved in order to draw them to Himself and accomplish salvation.
CJ Mahaney wrote in his book, The Cross Centered Life, “Only those who are truly aware of their sin can truly cherish grace.” Are you aware of the enormity of your sin? If not, you can’t possibly understand the magnitude of saving grace.
