“GRACE” – Defined, as taken from Vine’s Expository Bible Dictionary

“GRACE” on the part of a bestower, is the friendly disposition from which kindly acts proceed. Graciousness, loving-kindness, goodwill; with reference to the Divine favor, is called “God’s Grace.”

With respect to GOD’S GRACE there is stress on its FREENESS and universality, its spontaneous character, as in the case of God’s Redemptive Mercy, and the pleasure or joy He designs for the recipient; thus GRACE is set In Contrast with DEBT.”

Believers today CONSTANTLY LIVE IN THE RARIFIED ATMOSPHERE OF GOD’S PURE GRACE in the person and work of Christ as Savior, and as the new life in the believer... even while they might be ignorant of that fact. Thus Grace is continually working upon believers unto their eternal good..

The Nature of Grace is ‘God acting freely,’ according to His own nature – as being ‘Love’; having NO requirement of promise or obligation on the part of the recipient of ‘grace’ except to ‘FREELY RECEIVE.”

Grace being Grace is ‘freely’ dispensed without need of works or to be earned by the recipient.

Romans 5:17b … they which receive abundance of GRACE and of the GIFT of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

The universality of God’s grace means Christ Himself, as the Fullness of God’s Grace, is available to ALL, all the time.

2Cor 15:5 … Christ died for ALL… John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

John 1:16 … of his [Christ’s] fulness have all we received, and GRACE FOR GRACE.

In Contrast to Grace, ‘The LAW’ says one must Obey to be “blessed” or, Disobey and be “cursed.” The Law consisted of the God-given contingencies, saying “if thou.”

Deut. 28:1-2 IF thou [Israel] shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to DO ALL His Commandments…, (so) that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, IF THOU (Israel) shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.

Deut. 28:15-16 … IF THOU wilt NOT hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to DO all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee...

The Source of Grace for Mankind is ... God the Father Gifting... Through and In His Son, Jesus Christ.

Ephes. 1:2 GRACE be to you, and peace, FROM God our Father, and FROM the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 3:16 For God (the Father) so loved the world, that he GAVE his only begotten Son, that whosoever

believeth in him should not perish, but have [His] everlasting life.

Thus, the Vessel Conveying God’s Grace is the resurrected “Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:2a)

John 1:17 For the LAW was given BY MOSES, BUT GRACE and truth came BY JESUS CHRIST.

2 Cor 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit...  1Cor 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is One Spirit.

2 Tim 4:22 (KJV) The Lord Jesus Christ be (<inserted by translators) with thy spirit. Grace be (ibid) with you.        (Paraphrased: Christ as the Grace of God IS All The Time With Your Spirit.

‘Jesus of Nazareth’ in His earthly ministry had come ‘ONLY’ to the Nation Israel, preaching "the kingdom of God is at hand" (Mark 1:15), and He intensified “the LAW” for righteousness.

Matt. 15:24 … I Am Not Sent But [except] Unto The Lost Sheep Of The House Of Israel.  

Romans 15:8 … Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision [Israel, not the Gentiles] for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: [Israel’s Patriarchs, regarding the Messianic Kingdom come on earth]

Matthew 4:17 Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the [Messianic] kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Mat 5:17-18 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil…Till heaven and earth pass, One Jot Or One Tittle Shall In No Wise Pass From The Law, till all [concerning the Kingdom gospel] be fulfilled.

The Place of the Gentiles During “the Law Dispensation” of Israel.

Matthew 10:5-6 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go Not Into The Way Of The Gentiles… ⁶But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matthew 15:22-24 … a woman of Canaan came ... cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. ²³But He Answered Her Not A Word...24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto The Lost Sheep Of The House Of Israel.  (cf., Mark 7:25-27)

Ephes. 2:11-15 ...remember, that Ye Being In Time Past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision [meaning, Gentiles] by that which is called the Circumcision [Israel] in the flesh [racially], made by hands;

¹²... at that time ye [Gentiles] were Without Christ, being Aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the Covenants of Promise, having NO Hope, Without God in the world:

¹³BUT NOW IN CHRIST JESUS ye [Gentile believers] ... are made nigh by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴For He Is Our Peace, who hath made both one [Jew and Gentile in ‘the one body of Christ’], and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; ¹⁵Having ABOLISHED In His Flesh the enmity, even The LAW OF COMMANDMENTS contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain One New Man, so making peace;

The Dispenser of “THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD” (Act 20:24) is the Apostle Paul.

Eph. 3:2 … the dispensation of [age of and relationship under] the grace of God which is given me [Paul] to youward:

Gal 1:12 I [Paul] neither received it [the grace gospel) of man, neither was I taught it, but by the Revelation of [from the Ascended] Jesus Christ.

Paul’s “Mystery” Gospel During today’s “dispensation of the grace of God”

Rom 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to My [Paul’s] Gospel (see 1Cor 15:3-4), and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the Revelation of the Mystery, which was KEPT SECRET Since the World Began,

Col. 1:26-27 Even THE MYSTERY which hath been HID from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: ²⁷To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of This MYSTERY Among The GENTILES; which is CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory:

Paul says God’s Grace is Uncaused by the recipient: its cause lies entirely in the Giver, God.

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

Ephes. 2:8-9 For By Grace Are Ye Saved through faith; and that NOT of yourselves: it is The Gift Of God: ⁹NOT of Works, lest any man should boast.

Grace is for All those who will Receive Christ, as the very ‘Grace of God’ Sent to Indwell Man. They are free from the burden of “the Law” given to Israel.

Rom 6:14 … you [Grace believers]: Ye Are NOT Under The Law (the old dispensation), but Under Grace.

Rom 8:2 …the law [Gk. nomos, the operating system] of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the LAW [operating system] of Sin and Death.

God’s Grace is sovereign over all, not requiring debts to pay, or conditions to be fulfilled, except to believe. God’s grace can act toward whom and how He pleases. “Grace” can, and does often, place the least deserving in highest favor, such as Paul as a former enemy of God.

Titus 3:5 NOT BY WORKS of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us...

Eph 3:8 Unto me (Paul), who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Ephes. 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding RICHES OF HIS GRACE in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

In fact, Grace cannot act where there’s ‘deserving’ or ‘ability.’ Now we must give up trying to earn Grace.

Gal 5:4 Christ is Become of No Effect Unto You, whosoever of you [who think you] are justified by the Law; Ye Are Fallen From Grace.

Romans 4:4-5 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of Debt. ⁵ BUT to him that WORKETH NOT, but [genuinely] BELIEVETH ON HIM that justifieth the ungodly, his FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Grace does not require our “help” to “do” or “be” in any way — Grace is absolute and Grace does all!

Romans 11:6 And IF BY GRACE, then is it NO MORE OF WORKS (for salvation): otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Rom. 4:14 IF they which are “of the [works of] law” be heirs, [Then that would mean] Faith Is Made Void, and the promise made of none effect:

Ephes. 3:20 Now unto him (Christ) that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the Power [Gk. dynamis, energy] that Worketh IN US,

Once we realize we are truly the object of Divine Grace, it yields growing humility and arrogance melts away. The recipient of grace is brought to know his own absolute UNworthiness and his complete inability to attain worthiness; he finds himself blessed on the principle of Grace, being totally outside of his own resource.

1Cor. 15:10 by the GRACE of God I [Paul] am what I am: and his Grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: Yet Not I, But The GRACE OF GOD Which Was With Me.

“The flesh” as of independent self-effort has no place in God’s Grace. [“not of works”, Eph 2:8-9, Titus 3:5]

Rom 8:7-8 the CARNAL [FLESHLY] MIND is Enmity Against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ⁸So then they that are in the Flesh CANNOT PLEASE GOD.

Grace is resisted by the proud, who rely upon their natural fleshly mind. Yet, it is for this very reason that the grace believer rejoices; knowing that “in him[self], that is, in his flesh, dwelleth No Good Thing” (Rom 7:18); yet he finds God Has Blessed Him, Just As He Is.  

Eph. 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his GRACE, wherein HE hath Made Us Accepted IN THE BELOVED.

Man Under Grace is “Reconciled,” “Justified” and “Counted Righteous” IN Christ.

We have been accepted “in Christ.” We’re NOT “on probation.”

As to our past life; it’s forgiven and forgotten by God. “Christ is now our life” (Col 3:4).

Ephes. 4:32 be kind one to another… FORGIVING one another, even AS GOD for Christ’s sake hath Forgiven you.

Romans 3:24 Being Justified Freely by his GRACE through the redemption that is “in Christ Jesus”

Romans 4:4-5 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. ⁵But to him that Worketh NOT, BUT Believeth on him (Christ) that justifieth the ungodly, his FAITH is counted for righteousness.

Grace, once bestowed, is never withdrawn. God knew beforehand the human condition of all men as being hopeless and helpless. His act of reconciliation was independent of them, not dependent upon their goodness.

Our Proper Attitude under Grace is to simply Consent to be loved… While Always Being Unworthy.

Ephes. 1:6-7 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein He Hath Made Us Accepted In The Beloved [Christ]. ⁷ In whom we have Redemption Through His Blood, the Forgiveness Of Sins, according to the riches of his GRACE;

We ought NOT to make “Oaths,” “Resolutions,” “Vows”, “Covenants” or “Promises.” That would be to trust in our Self to carry them out. The words “pledge”, “oath” and “vow”, “covenant” and “promise” are words and thoughts that do not appear in Paul’s 13 grace epistles concerning “the dispensation of the GRACE OF GOD.” Those items are aspects of “the Law dispensation,” Not of grace.

We Know that ‘We ARE NOW blessed,’ while realizing, more and more, our lack of worth.

Ephes. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who “Hath Blessed Us” with ALL Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly Places In Christ: .

We Grow Through Grace, becoming ever more tender in conscience and toward others.

2Cor. 1:12 our proud confidence is this, the Testimony of Our Conscience, that… in holiness and godly sincerity…in [through] THE GRACE OF GOD, we have conducted ourselves in the world…

God’s Remedial Chastening of letting us endure consequences is of His Loving Kindness toward His Children …  NOT Punitive

Galatians 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap [of] life everlasting.

Hebrews 12:6-7 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth [figuratively] every son whom he receiveth. ⁷ If ye endure chastening [as correction], God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Being “under Grace” We Have No Burden Regarding Our Self, but many about others.

2 Cor. 7:4 Great is ‘my confidence in you,’ great is my boasting on your behalf; I am filled with comfort. I [Paul] am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.

1Thes. 3:12 the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men…

Eph. 4:32 be kind one to another, tenderhearted, Forgiving One Another…as [in the same way as] God For Christ’s Sake Hath Forgiven You.

Rom. 15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. (FREELY).

To ‘hope to be better by trying,’ it is to ‘hope in your self, obviously failing to see yourself “in Christ.”

Romans 7:18 For I know that in me [that is, in my soul-self] dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good, [as an independent self] I find not.

2 Cor. 3:5 NOT … to think any thing as of ourselves; but Our Sufficiency Is Of God;

Being Disappointed with Your Self is to have Believed in Yourself – this is rooted in pride.

Philip. 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He (God) Which Hath Begun A Good Work In You Will Perform It Until The Day Of Jesus Christ:

Philip. 2:13 For it is God which Worketh In You both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

To Be Proud is to be Blind! We have no standing before God, in ourselves.

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, NOT to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly...

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore being Justified [declared righteous] By Faith, We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
² [Christ] By whom also we have access By Faith into this GRACE wherein we stand ...

The Lack of Enjoying Divine Blessing in Christians Comes only from the Unbelief of choosing ‘Not to Receive of God’s Grace.’ But, even then, He is still faithful toward us - that’s GRACE.

2Tim. 2:13 If we believe NOT, YET HE ABIDETH FAITHFUL: he cannot deny himself. [His Character]

Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Failure of Our Consistent Devotion is infidelity, but even this does not cause the withdrawal of His bestowed Grace.

2 Timothy 2:13 (AMP) If we are faithless [do not believe and are untrue to Him], He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character), for He cannot deny Himself.

Our Devotion to God arises from realizing that “all spiritual blessing in heavenly places” have already been given to us and received from God even while we were and are Yet Unworthy and Undevoted.

Romans 3:3 … some did NOT believe? shall their UNBELIEF make the FAITH (faithfulness) OF GOD WITHOUT EFFECT? God forbid:

Romans 4:3 … ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, and IT [Abraham’s faith] WAS COUNTED UNTO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Even though Abraham was a Gentile and failed God more than once, Abraham is “the Father of All Them That Believe” (Rom 4:11).

To Preach ‘Our Devotion First’ and ‘Blessing’ Second is to Reverse God’s Order. It was only under The Old Testament “Law” that man’s blessing was contingent upon one’s devotion and faithfulness. We have been delivered form the “ordinances” of the past dispensation for Israel (Col. 2:14).

Grace confers Undeserved, Unconditional Blessing. Our Devotion may follow the realized unconditional blessing of God, but it doesn’t often do so in proper measure.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is NOT Justified by the Works of the Law, but by the Faith of [ek, from and with] Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be Justified By The Faith Of Christ, and NOT by the Works of the Law: for by the works of the law shall No flesh be justified.

1Cor. 2:12 Now we have received…the spirit which is of God; [so] that we might know the things that Are Freely [graciously] Given To Us of God.

2 Cor. 5:5 … God... hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.                 

 

- Significant Portions of this study were adapted from a paper by William Newell, Professor, Moody Bible College -