Five Characteristics Of Grace

Ephesians 2:8

Everyone in the religious world professes to believe that salvation is by the grace of God, but most completely nullify their profession by making grace, in some way or other, dependent upon the works and will of the flesh. Most religionists, when they think of grace, have in mind a helpless, frustrated passion in the heart of their god, who desires to save sinners, but cannot because man will not let him come into their hearts. Their poor god is a little pathetic.

Grace is not a helpless passion in the heart of a helpless god. It is an eternal, immutable attribute of God almighty, by which he, not merely desires, but accomplishes the salvation of his elect. It is never frustrated, defeated, or successfully resisted.

1. THE GRACE OF GOD IS SOVEREIGN (Ex. 32:18-19; Rom. 9:11-16). God sovereignly chose from eternity those to whom he will be gracious. And he sovereignly bestows his grace in time upon whom he will.

2. THE GRACE OF GOD IS RIGHTEOUS AND JUST (Rom. 3:24-26). God will not be gracious at the expense of righteousness, justice and truth. Therefore he could not save sinners without a sin-atoning Sacrifice.

3. THE GRACE OF GOD IS ALWAYS EFFECTUAL (Psa. 65:4; 110:3). If God wills to save, he saves. When he speaks, the dead live. When he calls, sinners, who would not and could not come to Christ, come to Christ with willing hearts.

4. THE GRACE OF GOD IS IMMUTABLE (Mal. 3:6; Rom. 11:29). Once God bestows his grace upon any, he will not take it away, nor can he be compelled, by any force or circumstance, to do so. Those whom he chose in grace he redeemed in grace, calls in grace, and will glorify in grace (See Rom. 8:29-31).

5. THE GRACE OF GOD IS FREE AND UNCONDITIONAL (Isa. 55:1; Rom. 10:9-13). God will not ask, nor will he accept anything from the sinner. He gives everything freely to all who believe. Even the believing is the gift and work of his grace.

Don Fortner