One of the earliest words in the Bible that describes God’s attention to his creation is “Grace.” Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. (Genesis 6:8) In the next chapter, we learn that Noah and his family were privileged to enter the Ark because they alone were found “righteous” in all the generations on earth. (Genesis 7:1) As we combine these thoughts, we see the result of the favor of God placed on Noah and his family, and they alone are saved.
What did God see in them so that they alone are saved? Righteous living only? Probably not. Although Noah is not perfect, nor are his sons, they will follow the plan of God to create something no one had ever seen before! A boat. Ark. Loaded with feed and animals according to God’s plan, we see the door shut by the very hand of God. Salvation!
God sees who they are with clarity, but he also knows what they will do – complete what they are commanded to start. And, live righteous the entire time.
That’s what Grace ultimately provided.
No matter that we’ve labeled Grace with words and phrases to explain this 5-letter English word. Unmerited Favor. Unmerited Divine Assistance. There’s plenty more where these two came from. Equally, we’ve segmented the action of Grace into categories, labeled them, and then tried to live within our understanding of their fragments.
Most scholars define Grace as an attribute of God found in the Old Testament, but realized in the New Testament when Jesus came as the Messiah. No better description of this is found than how John wrote in the first chapter of his gospel.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
(John 1:14-17 KJV)
Grace is Applicable Today
Grace is not an OT vs NT concept, rather, it’s presently found as an active word (verb) that is also a word of something tangible (noun). The concept of Grace is not bound by a book of history, but is descriptive and often easily recognized today. It’s something received, yet it’s also something we give. We choose to live as gracious beings, but we also seek the Grace of God. How? By obeying God’s commands, living righteous, and being available.
Of course, being a receiver of Grace is not limited to these three things. Grace is not limited to only the things we find important. If Grace were simply the “undeserved favor of God,” then we would all bask in His presence no matter how we live. The application of God’s favor is found in someone, even a sinful nation, who has hope of returning to God. Even the prodigal was extended favor though he sinned and walked a long way from God’s teachings.
As we return to life after the pandemic, could it be said that we need His Grace to find our way home? And, do we not need to extend Grace as some linger behind unwilling to trust the world ever again?
Maybe your action of Grace will be the building block and not the stumbling stone when you build walls to hold others out as they struggle.
Let’s be full of Grace and Truth, and live to love like Jesus.