So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. Ephesians 1:6–7 (NLT)
It is probable that John 3:16 is the most familiar verse in the Bible. It has been memorized and loved by countless people for centuries. Accordingly, "Amazing Grace" is the most widely known and loved hymn, at least in the English-speaking world. PBS broadcast a show devoted to the universally popular hymn.
Musicians with no connection to the church sing Amazing Grace. People, who demonstrate no evidence of the saving grace of Jesus Christ, sing this song with emotion, folk singers to rock stars. To me this widespread popularity is confounding, if not contradictory. I have to ask, “What do they know about grace, and how has God’s grace made a difference in for them?” To sing about God’s amazing grace, but not have it as a reality in one’s life is sad.
What Is Grace?
For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. Titus 2:11 (NLT)
In general terms, grace is undeserved blessing freely bestowed on humanity by God, or God’s unmerited divine favor. This concept is at the very heart of our Christian belief and experience. In defining grace, it is important to make the distinction between common universal grace and saving regenerating grace.
Common grace is the grace that benefits everyone. For example, God allows the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. Special grace on the other hand is the grace by which God redeems, makes holy and glorifies His people. Unlike common grace, offered universally, special grace is for those God gives eternal life through Christ Jesus.
The epitome of a life dramatically saved by grace is the man who wrote that most famous of hymns, John Newton. In the corner of the churchyard of Olney Parish Church, of fourteenth century architecture, there is a large tombstone on which the inscription is as follows:
'John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ preserved, restored and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy.'
What Is the Purpose of Grace?
But God still loved us with such great love. He is so rich in compassion and mercy. Even when we were dead and doomed in our many sins, he united us into the very life of Christ and saved us by his wonderful grace! Ephesians 2:4–5 (TPT)
We have come to know and understand that we could never earn the grace or salvation of God. We do not possess the goodness or virtue to qualify for or to earn special grace from God. However, the impact of God's grace goes far beyond just removing the penalty and consequence of sin.
What then is the purpose of grace? Does God have any expectations from us when he gives us grace? This is the core of an age-old conflict within Christendom. What one person believes is a proper response of a heart touched by grace, another will protest that is salvation by works. It is true, that before our lives were touched by the grace of God, we were dead in sin, we were without hope or direction. The grace and power of God changes all that in the life of the redeemed.
Grace should be a motivator in our lives. As we consider all that grace has done for us, we should be motivated to respond with gratitude, not a response of obligation but rather of love. “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Luke 7:47 (NLT)
Grace’s Greatest Triumph
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. Romans 5:1–2 (NLT)
In heaven there was once a great debate as to who was the greatest monument of God's grace. Each life was examined, and all secrets were revealed as the redeemed gave witness to the grace of God. One after another related the sin or transgression out of which Christ had delivered him.
As the debate progressed the consensus choice was for one man who had committed every sin. Sin after sin he related as he recalled his life. And then he related how on his deathbed Christ came and saved him as He had saved the thief on the cross.
But just before the vote, another of God’s redeemed asked to tell his story. He came to know and love Christ as a child and had followed Him all the days of his life. And by His grace he had avoided the sins and transgressions of which the others had spoken.
Then the vote was taken; and it was not the drunkard, the thief, the adulterer, the liar, the murderer or the blasphemer, but instead it was the man who had followed Christ all of his life and had been kept by His grace who was selected as the greatest monument to the grace of God.
Growing In Grace!
But continue to grow and increase in God’s grace and intimacy with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May he receive all the glory both now and until the day eternity begins. Amen! 2 Peter 3:18 (TPT)
Finally, a word of warning and encouragement. A warning that we exercise care in our spiritual journey and encouragement that there is room to grow in the grace of God.
Until the time of his death at the age of eighty-two, John Newton never ceased to marvel at the grace of God that transformed him so completely. Shortly before his death he said with a loud voice, “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior!” Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
Steve Ekeroth
Photo: Steve Ekeroth, Kenya 2022