The best definition that I have ever heard about the meaning of the word grace comes from an acronym for the word grace: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. It doesn’t get any clearer than that.
When we come to The Lord’s Supper, the bread and the cup are visible emblems that remind us of the atoning sacrifice of The Lord Jesus Christ on the cross for our sin (1 John 2:2, 4:10). The Bible tells us that Jesus “was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” (Hebrews 2:9) The Lamb of God, Jesus Christ was slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8; 2 Timothy 1:9). There was no such thing as a “plan B” in the redemptive purposes of God. God’s eternal purpose in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:11) was to reconcile the world unto Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19).
Peter wrote how the Old Testament prophets prophesied of the grace that was to come unto us in the Person of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:10). The God of all grace (1 Peter 5:10) has sent His Son into the world, “that we might live through Him.” (1 John 4:9) Fallen man is justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24; Titus 3:7). “For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:17) Because salvation is by grace, “then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” (Romans 11:6)
The grace of God is much more than a doctrine; it is a “gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, (and has) abounded unto many.” (Romans 5:15) The gospel that the apostles preached was the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24). Grace eliminates boasting (Ephesians 2:8-9). Because of The Father’s love for us, He has given us “everlasting consolation and good hope through grace” (2 Thessalonians 2:16). Beloved, “Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace” (Hebrews 13:9).
This grace is not a doctrine; it is a Person, and His Name is Jesus Christ (John 1: 14,17). I trust that I have made a case for grace. What is your verdict? (John 3:16-21)
