Grace and Salvation - importance of grace and Three tenses of salvation

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Look out for these Terms and Definitions mostly used in the teaching:

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Grace – God’s unmerited or undeserved favour and kindness toward unworthy mankind.

Justification – The judicial declaration in which a holy God declares righteous the unworthy but believing sinner on the basis of Christ’s sacrificial work on the sinner’s behalf.

Sanctification – The process by which a believer in Christ, through the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, is progressively set apart unto God as a vessel for His service.

Glorification – The yet future state of all believers in which they will be made like Christ, with glorified bodies and without sin in the very presence of God in heaven.

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Introduction

During this first study, we want to explain why the teaching of the grace of God is so important.

Let me ask you a few questions regarding God’s grace:

·      Do you understand God’s grace in salvation?

·      Do you understand God’s grace in eternal security?

·      Do you understand God’s grace in Christian living?

·      Do you as believers and students of God’s Word have a firm grip on what the Bible means when it uses the word grace?

·      Do you really understand why God must treat us in grace?

·      And do you recognize why grace is so amazing?

We must all come to a greater understanding of God’s amazing grace in our Christian lives, and in our ministries, and in our preaching.  So let’s begin by answering the question “what is grace?”

I.  THE DEFINITION OF “GRACE” 

As we think of grace, let’s define our terms, so that we not only have the same vocabulary, but also the same dictionary.

What is Grace?

      A.   Its Primary Meaning

1.  Our English word “grace” is the translation of the Greek word “Charis” which primarily means God’s UNDESERVED KINDNESS.

Grace is unmerited.  It is unearned.  It is goodness and kindness that you do not deserve. God owes you nothing.

Since grace is undeserved this means you cannot work to obtain this favour from God.       

 You will never be worthy of the grace of God, NEVER!  So don’t try to give a reason for God to love you and bless you.  In fact, the more you grow in grace, the more unworthy you will realize that you are.

2.  The writers of the New Testament were directed by the Holy Spirit to use this word to refer to all that God is  WILLING to give you in blessing apart from human merit or works BECAUSE OF JESUS CHRIST (John 1:17).

God is free to extend His amazing grace because of the provision made by Jesus Christ.  This is why God’s Grace is sometimes described this way:

   

God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense acrostic with 2 Corinthians 8:9

In John 1:17 we learn of the source of grace

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

The reason God treats us in grace is not because of who we are or what we have done.  It is because of the character of the Giver (namely God) and the finished work of His Son (Jesus Christ), not because of the merits of the receivers (namely you and me).  It is because of who God is and what God has done for us.

Notice that John 1:17 tells us that grace came through Jesus Christ. This does not mean that there was no grace in the Old Testament. This means that the fullness of God’s blessing was fully manifested to us by Jesus Christ as a result of His work on the cross.  It means that Jesus Christ is the source of grace for you and me today; no church or sacrament is able to dispense God’s grace. Grace comes through Jesus Christ.

Be sure to remember the primary definition of grace: 

GOD’S UNDESERVED KINDNESS.

B.   Its Secondary Meaning.

1.  The word “Charis” is also translated in our English Bible by the Word THANKS (1 Corinthians 15:57).

1Corinthians 15:57 But thanks (Charis) be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, why do they translate “charis” with our English word “thanks”?  It is because when you receive unmerited  favor and undeserved blessings from God because of the work of Jesus Christ, the normal result is to be thankful.

2. Thus, the secondary meaning of “charis” refers to an ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE which serves as a tremendous motivator to live for Jesus Christ after one has been saved by God’s grace (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

The Greek verb for “give thanks” is “eucharisteo” (ευχαριστέω), which comes from two words (eu = good and charis = grace).  When we give thanks, we acknowledge the “good grace” of God.  That grace should motivate us!

2 Corinthians 5:14-15  For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; ¹⁵and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

This is why when Christians sit down to eat, they should first say grace or thanks before they eat, because this food is a gift from God.  Saying “thanks” makes you different than your dog!

Thus far we have answered an important question: What does the word “grace” mean?

Remember the primary definition of grace: God’s undeserved kindness. And the secondary meaning of grace refers to an attitude of gratitude.

Now let’s consider why the teaching of grace is so crucial by answering the question: Why is grace teaching so important?

II.  THE IMPORTANCE OF “GRACE”

A.  Why Is Grace so Important to Understand?

Let me give you seven reasons…

            It is because the grace of God is… 

1.    the basis for the gift of SALVATION (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God  ⁹not of works, lest anyone should boast.

How is a sinner saved from a Hell he deserves to a heaven he does not deserve? Only by God’s Grace!!

The phrase “by grace” refers to the basis of salvation.  A basis is a starting point from which something is developed, thus it is a main component.  It is on the basis of the principle of grace that God saves lost, unworthy, sinful people.  Apart from God’s grace, there would be no salvation!

   

 Apart from God’s grace, we as sinners would receive exactly what we deserve: eternal separation from Him in a place called Hell.

Secondly, we see that God’s grace is …

2.    the means of godly CHRISTIAN LIVING (Titus 2:11-13).

Titus 2:11-13  For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, ¹²teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, ¹³looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Notice that God’s grace teaches us how to live God’s way.

God’s grace not only brings us salvation, but it is the only means to a godly life while we wait for the Lord to return for us.  This is why grace is so important.  Far from being a license to sin, grace provides us with the motivation to live unto the Lord in a Christ honouring way!

Few people understand grace as it relates to being saved from sin’s penalty, but even fewer understand how grace relates to Christian living.  We will see the importance of grace in salvation and Christian living throughout the book of Romans.

Not only is grace important for salvation and Christian living, but it is …

3.    the issue in genuine SPIRITUAL GROWTH  (2 Peter 3:18).

     

2 Peter 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

What is every believer to spiritually grow in? 

We are to grow IN GRACE and IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.

We don’t grow INTO grace, for every believer has been completely immersed in God’s grace.  We can’t receive any more grace than we have already received.  We can’t convince God to be more gracious, nor need we try. But as we grow IN grace, we can grow in a more complete understanding of God’s grace provisions for our lives.

We also see from God’s word that grace is …

4.      the source of God-honoring CHRISTIAN SERVICE     (1 Corinthians 15:10).

1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

How many times do you see the word grace in this verse?  (3 times)

Notice how this verse begins and ends with a reference to God’s grace.  And in the middle of the verse is mentioned in Paul’s labor for the Lord by grace. 

All ministry that truly honours the Lord is accomplished only by the grace of God. Any labour that is not accomplished by the grace of God working in us and through us is human, fleshly effort and it cannot please God.

We’ve seen that salvation, Christian living, growth, and service are all by God’s grace.  We also see that God’s word tells us that grace is …

5.      the focus of the message of the GOSPEL we are to proclaim (Acts 20:24).

Acts 20:24  “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

The Gospel God wanted Paul to preach and the Gospel God wants you and me to preach is the Gospel of the Grace of God. 

This is another reason why grace is so important.  If we are going to be witnesses of the Gospel, we must have a clear understanding of God’s grace.

Review of the Gospel Roadmap

In case, you didn't read the full lesson of the Gospel Roadmap.

      Context, Content, Response, Result

      Context:    1. The Holiness of God - Psalm 99:8

                        2. The sinfulness of man - Romans 3:23

                        3. The penalty of sin - Romans 6:23

      Content:    1. The Person of Jesus Christ

                                    - His humanity

                                    - His deity

                        2. The Work f Jesus Christ

                                    - His death on the cross

                                    - His resurrection from the dead

                        - Romans 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

                        - Empty cross and empty tomb

      Response:  1. Faith in Jesus Christ alone

                        2. Not of yourself or of your works

                        - Ephesians 2:8-9

      Result:       1. Guaranteed eternal life

                        2. Assurance of your salvation

                        - 1 John 5:13

Grace is the basis for the good news message of the Gospel that we preach.  Grace is also …

6.      the truth in which God wants believers to be ESTABLISHED (Hebrews 13:9).

Hebrews 13:9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

God does not want us to be tossed to and fro with the wrong doctrine.  But He wants our hearts to be established with what?  God’s amazing GRACE!

God says this is a “good” thing! He wants His grace to be known and we want His grace to be in the forefront of your thinking as we study the book of Romans.

Lastly, grace is so important because the grace of God is  ….

7.      the rule of life for the BELIEVER (Romans 6:14).

Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

We will study this passage in more detail when we get to it, but it’s clear from this one verse that the grace of God is key to a life of victory over the sin nature.  Only as a believer understands and appropriates the grace of God in daily living will there be a God-honoring victory over the indwelling sin nature. See a short message on powerless recipients.

We have seen seven reasons why it is so important for every believer in Christ and every Bible-believing pastor or teacher to better understand and preach the grace of God and to get more firmly grounded in the truths of God’s amazing grace. I hope you are convinced that understanding God’s grace is very important.

Grace is entirely of God.  It is supernatural therefore it is unique.

B. Grace Is UNIQUE To Christianity

All of the world’s religions can be summed up into one of two approaches to God.  They either approach God on the basis of works or on the basis of grace.  This reality goes all the way back to the time of Cain and Abel.

Works: Earned Reward

Grace: Free Gift

You can search the world over and you will not find the idea of grace anywhere but in the Bible. Grace is divine and extends down to us from God above. Grace is not of human origin. All of the world’s religions approach God on the basis of human merit and worthiness. When you do see the concept of substitution employed in religions, it is in stark contrast to the Bible. Only in the Bible do you see the just sacrificed for the unjust.

The Last Emperor

For example, the motion picture The Last Emperor (1987) tells the story of Pu Yi, the last emperor of Imperial China. He became emperor when he was only three years old. He was isolated within China’s famous Forbidden City where he grew up amidst great wealth and total ignorance of what was going on outside the palace complex.

One day he is visited by his half-brother whom he had not met before. As they are going about the Forbidden City his half-brother asks him “is it true you that you can do whatever you want?” To which the young emperor replies “Of course I can. If I am naughty, someone else is punished. One of them” (referring to his servants).

Here is the epitome of human thinking. We all have a sense of right and wrong and know that there is punishment for doing wrong. For important people like a king or emperor, the servants are punished for the sins of the king. Yet in the Bible we see the King punished for the sins of the servants!  Now, that’s amazing! And nowhere else will you find such radical truth. It is found only in the Bible and only in Christianity.

Part two of the teaching: Three tense of salvation

Did you see the first lesson, we looked at the Gospel - Gospel Roadmap

Gospel lesson: 2.