Introduction
Grace is one of the most profound and beautiful themes found in the Bible. It shows us the heart of God and His unearned favor, His lovingkindness, His mercy, and His involvement in redeeming, sustaining, and transforming His people. The term “God’s great grace” is an indication of the wealth, depth, and power of God’s grace. The Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, bears witness that God’s relationship with His people is not one of law and justice, but of grace. The document is an exploration of what is meant by “God’s great grace,” how the term “grace” is used in the Bible, and an in-depth look at an example of God’s great grace found in each Testament. The intent is to provide an understandable theology of grace that demonstrates its consistency from Genesis to Revelation and its position of importance in God’s Grace plan.
What Is God’s Great Grace?
The great grace of God points to the idea that God’s immense, unearned kindness, goodness, and beneficence toward humanity are revealed through forgiveness, provision, patient kindness, covenant loyalty, and salvation. Grace is the initiative that God takes to bless, restore, and empower humanity, despite the fact that humans are unqualified to receive these blessings.
Grace is described by the Bible as an attribute and an activity of God. Grace is the affectionate disposition of God toward sinners, the weak, and the undeserving. Grace is also the dynamic activity of God saving, liberating, and transfiguring. God’s great grace is termed ‘great’ because it is plentiful, continuous, and potent. God’s grace touches people at their weakest point, supports them on their path, and positions them with His plans.
God’s great grace in no way diminishes His holiness or justice, but actually fulfills them. By grace, God is providing a way for sinful humanity to be reunited with Himself without compromising the standards of righteousness that are necessary to define Him as a just God. Grace is not weakness, but the strength of God manifested as mercy and redemptive love. Finally, the great grace of God is seen in the person and work of Jesus Christ, but its foundation is firmly rooted in the Old Testament concept of the covenant love of God.
Grace in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, the two Hebrew words that carry the thought of grace the most frequently are “chen” and “chesed.” “Chen,” as a rule, signifies “favor,” “kindness,” and “acceptance,” and is bestowed by one who is superior on one who is inferior. It is frequently found where one “finds favor in the sight of another,” and especially in the sight of the Lord. “Chesed,” on the other hand, is frequently rendered “lovingkindness,” “steadfast love,” “mercy,” and “faithfulness of the Covenant.”
Grace in the Old Testament can be found in God’s choosing, preserving, forgiving, and blessing the nation of Israel in spite of their failure time after time. While the law plays a major part in the Old Testament, the theme of grace permeates the entire relationship. God chose Abraham, rescued the nation from Egypt, forgave their rebellion, and continued to live among them. Even the sacrificial system was an expression of His grace, providing atonement for their sins. Grace in the Old Testament is relational and covenantal. God demonstrates His grace by entering into a relationship with humans and using them to carry out His redemptive mission. It is usually understood as God’s benevolence, protection, and provision.
Grace in the New Testament
In the New Testament, the Greek word that is most commonly translated as grace is the word “charis.” The meaning of the Greek word is unmerited favor or goodwill, gift, and enablement. Even though the concept of grace is found in the Old Testament, the full and clear picture of grace can only be found in the New Testament as revealed by Jesus Christ.
Grace in the New Testament is also related to salvation. Grace is the free gift of salvation through Christian faith, but not through works. Grace is also the power that works in a Christian, helping them to live a new kind of life. Grace teaches, instructs, and empowers the Christian.
However, the New Testament clearly shows that grace is not just an idea or concept; grace is a person, and His name is Jesus Christ. “Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). In Christ, grace manifests itself as the ultimate answer to the problems of sin, death, and separation.
Examples of God’s Great Grace in the Old Testament
The first evidence of the enormous grace of God in the Bible, as revealed in the Old Testament, relates to the story of Noah as a recipient of the grace of God in a world that was full of wickedness, where “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8). Although the grace of God towards Noah was not necessarily based on human merit, it was based on the redemptive plan of God that would sustain life in the world.
Another good example of this kind of calling is the calling of God on the life of Abraham. God did not choose Abraham because he was a good man, but simply out of grace. God promised him that he would bless him, make him a great nation, and use him as a means of bestowing a blessing on the entire world. This kind of relationship, which God initiated, was an expression of grace.
The story of the Exodus is considered to be one of the most magnificent manifestations of God’s grace in the Old Testament. God saw the plight of the Israelites who were in captivity and helpless and decided to save them through His mighty hand. God’s grace was manifested through His forgiveness and continued presence among them despite their continuous complaining and rebellion during their wilderness journey.
God’s great grace can also be seen in His relationship with King David. King David was a man who had been appointed and anointed by God to serve Him. Yet King David sinned in many ways despite this calling from God. Nevertheless, when King David repented of his sins, God forgave him and restored him to His favor. We can see a deep appeal to God’s mercy and His lovingkindness in Psalm 51. Although God’s grace did not shield King David from the consequences of his sins, His grace did maintain King David’s relationship with Him and His calling on King David’s life.
Another evidence of God’s grace can be found in the prophetic books. In the prophetic books, God continually called the Israelites back to Himself. There is evidence of God’s grace even when He was judging His own people. He promised them a new covenant, a new heart, and a future hope.
Examples of God’s Great Grace in the New Testament
In the New Testament, the great grace of God is seen in the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The advent of Christ itself was an act of grace. God took upon Himself human form to live with mankind and to give them salvation. The ministry of Christ was full of grace for sinners, the sick, and the outcast.
A good case in point here would be Jesus’ encounter with the woman who was caught in the act of adultery, where Jesus, despite the fact that the woman deserved to be punished according to the law, showed her mercy and forgiveness, saying, “Go, and sin no more.”
The calling of the apostle Paul is another notable case in point. This was an individual who was an enemy of the Church until he was converted by the grace of God. Later in life, the apostle Paul bore testimony to the effect that “by the grace of God I am what I am; and his grace was not in vain.”
The cross is an example of God’s immense grace. Man was in a state of sin and could not redeem himself. God had to send His only Son to be crucified as an offering to redeem man. Salvation is offered as an act of God’s grace and not as a result of any deeds or acts performed by man.
The early Christian church lived in a period of great grace not only in salvation history but also in terms of their social lives and mission endeavors. The book of Acts indicates that “great grace was upon them all.” The grace of God manifested itself in terms of unity, liberality, courage in witness, miracles, and spiritual advancement. Grace helped them to live in a hostile world in a way that reflected Christ’s teachings.
Comparison of Old and New Testament Grace
When one studies the scriptures, one can find continuity as well as progress in the understanding of the doctrine of grace. In the Old Testament, the doctrine of grace is experienced in the context of the covenant, the law, and the sacrifices. God is gracious in initiating the relationship, forgiving sin, and being faithful to his people. In the New Testament, the doctrine of grace is more fully and more personally experienced through Christ, who fulfills the law and makes the new covenant.
Although the Old Testament stresses God’s loyalty and faithfulness to covenant, the New Testament stresses grace as a ground for salvation and life. Yet both testaments recognize grace to have originated from God’s nature and to have been essential to His relationship to mankind.
Grace in both Testaments evokes a response. The great grace of God calls for faith, repentance, obedience, and praise. It enables transformation and provides hope. It comforts Christians that their relationship with the Father is based on mercy rather than their perfection.
Conclusion
God’s immense grace is the golden thread running throughout the entire Bible. From the preservation of Noah, the calling of Abraham, the rescue of Israel, the coming of Christ, the birth of the Church, grace portrays God as the God of redemption rather than rejection.
The Old Testament reveals the grace of God through the covenant love, patience, and faithfulness of God. The New Testament, on the other hand, reveals the grace of God in the fullness of the revelation of Jesus Christ, who personifies the grace of God. It reveals the grace of God as abundant, endless, and transforming.
Recognizing the great grace of God leads to humility, gratitude, worship, and trust in Him. It also provides the assurance that there is nothing that cannot be made better or that is beyond the reach of God. God’s great grace is the foundation of faith, the basis of salvation, and the power for a holy life.
Name: VINCENT AMISSAH
SOTERIOLOGY
