“Amazing Grace!” Probably one of the most known and sung songs in Christianity. Author John Newton certainly did have an understanding of “saving grace.” Newton was a slave ship owner who realized what a “wretch” he was without Christ and then penned that awesome hymn that has blessed so many people. 

Each one of us has to begin our journey at this same place — recognizing that we are sinners and that we need a Savior. Thank God for His indescribable gift in Jesus Christ.

Over the last few months, I have been hearing a lot of people talking about Grace on many different levels or applications. Not only is there Grace to save us, but Grace to empower us to live a life that pleases God. There is abundant Grace to take us through the trials and tribulations that are certain to come to anyone who is living upon this earth. Verse four of Newton’s song states: “Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”

Both Peter and Paul begin most of their epistles to the early churches with the greeting “grace and peace be (multiplied) unto you.” Sometimes they end the epistle with a similar exhortation: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.” I think Paul especially had a deep understanding of the Grace of God, both from his intellect and deep understanding of Torah as well as the revelation, like John Newton, that he was simply a sinner that had been apprehended and saved by that same Amazing Grace.

Peter, in his second epistle, begins with that same exhortation and then explains in the next few verses what that should look like. One of my favorite passages of scripture to give to a new believer is 2 Peter 1:2-11. When we diligently apply the Grace of God to our everyday lives, there is a progression of growth in our faith and the tangible working out of that in our lives and character. This is “keeping Grace” as verse 10 says. 

When you follow the diligent pursuit toward love, not only will you become a fruitful believer, but the scripture promises us that “if we do these things you will never stumble.” I am saddened to say that many with whom I shared this principle with did not follow through with its exhortation and therefore have not lead victorious, Grace filled lives. (Galatians 5:4 “you have fallen from grace”) We do have a part to play in the “working out of our salvation.” (Philippians 2:12) Grace empowers us to do just that.

Grace is one of the key attributes of God. He describes Himself as “merciful and gracious, long-suffering and abounding in goodness and truth.” (Exodus 34:6) Clear back in Genesis 6:8 Grace is mentioned. “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” Moses appeals to God in Exodus 33:12-13 “if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way.…” Grace is not just a New Covenant word, although a much deeper revelation is available to all who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus. Zechariah 12:10 is a prophetic declaration about Messiah. “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they have pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one who mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.”

The definition of Grace from the Strong’s (No. 2580) is favor, grace, graciousness, kindness, beauty, pleasantness, charm, attractiveness, loveliness, affectionate regard. The New Covenant word makes it plain that it is undeserved favor or kindness. Realize it is God’s Grace — we can’t earn it, nor can we conjure it up from our own nature apart from what the Lord has worked in us. (Ephesians 2:7-9)

But we can “grow in grace.” (2 Peter 3:18) When He bestows upon us “saving Grace” our eyes are then opened to begin to apply the principles of discipline and obedience that will cause us to grow up into His very nature and likeness. He gives “more Grace” to the humble (James 4:6) for instance.

“Great Grace” was upon the early church (Acts 4:33) and they saw great miracles. Even in the midst of severe persecution, God’s Grace sustained them, sometimes even in martyrdom. (Think of Stephen and then later those saints described in Hebrews 11). We do not know what the days ahead may bring, but I know that those who understand and walk in His great Grace will be sustained supernaturally when others are denying their faith or succumbing to the many fears that haunt each of us when we are not trusting in the Lord.

Now is the time to apply yourself to growing in Grace. Ephesians 2: says that in the “ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” That is a whole lot of Grace!