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What is God’s Grace?

What is God’s Grace?

What do you understand the grace of God to be? A classic answer is “unmerited favor,” and what is usually meant by that is something we have not earned.

And it is certainly true that none of us have earned God’s grace. His grace is not a paycheck, a medal, or a reward for some achievement on our part. But to talk about grace in this way focuses on the process of receiving grace—not on what grace is.

The United States has historically been a society based on merit—a meritocracy. If you work hard, you reap the rewards of your work. So, if you get paid by your employer, you have earned or merited that pay. If you get stronger muscles by exercising regularly, you have earned or merited the growth in your muscles. If you become a better musician because you practice regularly, you have earned or merited that proficiency.

Unmerited favor is when you receive something you didn’t earn or didn’t merit; in other words, you don’t have a right to claim something as being owed to you. In that sense, God’s grace is not ours to claim by right. But understanding that God’s grace is not something we earn still doesn’t tell us what that grace is.  

If someone gave you a glass of water as you were dying of thirst, you didn’t buy it, earn it, or work for it—it was a gift. One could say the water was unmerited; it was given to you freely. But the water is water—the method of how you get it, whether free or at a cost to you, is separate from the substance of what it is.

The gift of God’s grace to us is the manifestation of His character of love; it is gracious of God. But the fact that God gives His grace freely does not tell us what that grace is. Consider grace as a noun; the action of gifting it is a verb—we receive God’s grace without earning it, but what is His grace?

 

Deserve Versus Being Owed

Since it is true that God’s grace is a gift to us—something we have not earned, something we are not owed, something we do not receive by right—does that also mean we do not deserve God’s grace?

That depends on how one understands or defines “deserve.” Does a child born with a terminal illness deserve to be treated with kindness, compassion, and offered a remedy if one exists to restore them to wellness—even though they have done nothing to earn such treatment? Why would they deserve it? Does a child, simply by being a human child, deserve the love of its parents—not because the child earned anything but because of who the child is to the parents? Do we have value and worth to God, not because of our achievements or any work we have done, but because of who God created us to be, because of what God has designed for us and invested in us?

When the Bible describes Jesus as growing in wisdom and stature and favor (which is the Greek word for grace) with God and men (Luke 2:52), did Jesus not deserve His Father’s grace or favor?

Was the grace that Jesus received from His Father, as our human substitute, given freely by His Father or did Jesus have to earn it? No, the Father gave His grace to Jesus in the same way He gives His grace to us! Jesus didn’t “earn” grace from His Father through some system of employment or quest fulfillment. Jesus, as a human, received the free grace of His Father and was empowered by the Father’s grace in order to accomplish their joint purpose in saving humanity from sin.

 

Heaven’s Empowerment

So what is God’s grace?

The Greek word translated as grace is χάρις [charis /khar·ece/], and the Strong lexicon says it is “good will, loving-kindness, favour … the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues” (Strong, J. 1995. In Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship).

This is exactly what Paul wrote in Romans 2:4: “God’s kindness leads you toward repentance” (NIV84).

And the kindness of God is freely given because of who God is. We see God’s grace in His every action, all His activities, which are the outflow of His character of love and which always fights against evil, opposes corruption, stands against sin, and heals, renews, recreates, cleanses, and ultimately destroys death and brings life and immortality to light (2 Timothy 1:10). God’s grace is the dispersement of His energy, love, life, and power and is seen in His every act, but it is most fully seen in response to rebellion and sin. As Paul wrote, “Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” (Romans 5:20 NKJV).

God was just as gracious before sin and His grace was present and active before sin, but after sin His grace has been active and revealed in ways that were never before seen in the universe because it was never before needed—including the gracious condescension of Jesus to be our Savior. Prior to sin, God was just as gracious, but His grace never had to function to overcome sin until sin occurred.

We see God’s grace in calling to Adam in the cool of the day before Adam sinned, but His grace is more powerfully revealed when God gently called, “Adam, where are you?” when Adam was hiding in the bushes after he sinned.

We see God’s grace in His patient forbearance toward lost sinners prior to the Flood, waiting to act until there was no other option, when only one righteous man was left on the earth; thus, we see God’s grace in bringing the Flood as a therapeutic intervention to keep open the avenue for the Messiah in order to save the species human from sin and eternal death.

But we see God’s grace most fully revealed in sending Jesus to take up humanity, broken and damaged by Adam’s sin, and overcome where we never could.

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14 NIV84).

 

“From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:16, 17 NIV84).

 

“But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift” (Ephesians 4:7 NRSV).

 

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of Godnot by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:8–10 NIV84).

The grace of God is indeed a gift—like water to a person dying of thirst is a gift; the gifting is gracious, but the grace is more than the act; it is the substance of God’s character—His love, truth, methods, power, glory, righteousness—fully manifested in Jesus. When we receive God’s grace, we are receiving the presence and power of God via His indwelling Spirit, we are receiving the gift of Jesus, and can say as Paul did, “It is no longer I that live but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). When we receive God’s grace, we receive a new heart and right spirit; we have His law written upon our hearts and minds (Hebrews 8:10).

To receive the grace of God means that when we trust Him, when we place our faith in Him, we receive God, via His Spirit, into our hearts, and Jesus lives in us—this is the living grace of God that heals and transforms us. I invite you, if you haven’t already done so, to ask and receive His grace into your heart and mind today.

 

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I borrowed “Healing The Mind” DVDs from a friend and showed them at my home for a small gathering of women friends. Neither of my friends are Adventist, but they both enjoyed and embraced the messages you taught. In fact, one of the ladies prayed out loud in our group and that was the first time she had ever had public prayer.

J.B. ,Dalles, OR, USA

 

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

Testimony 21

I am absolutly on fire with the message at Come and Reason! I can’t get enough! I’ve read your book, blog, and articles. I’ve listened to your Bible study podcasts, your radio show, and your series – all excellent! It wasn’t until the past couple of years that I have I like I’m becoming “healthy,” with more to share with others than just beasts and commandments! I used to be a Bible worker and preached when the pastors were gone until I had had enough. I didnt realize at the time what the problem was, but i know now… the message wasn’t properly focused. Now my flame is rekindled. All of your little examples are so perfect in explaining something “complicated” and making it easily understood! Now I’m trying to shape it into a life changing evangelistic series! Thank you!

M.T., USA

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

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Testimony 7

Ok, so last night I listened to “The Law of Liberty” and “How to Achieve Victory: Freedom, Truth and Spirtual Warfare.” These are both MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES so far! The logic is just soooooo beautiful. I had to re-listen to them a couple of times. I just want to EXPLODE! (<< we assume with joy and happiness)

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Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

Testimony 27

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

Testimony 56

I cannot thank you enough for opening my understanding to the beautiful truth of God’s Law of Love and how it applies to everything. I have been a Christian for over forty years, but I feel like I am only now seeing with my eyes open. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

Tammy Cinzio, Australia

 

Testimony 75

Thank you so much for everything you do! Because of all these truths, I’m excited to be with Jesus! I always pray everyday, “COME TODAY, JESUS.” Before finding C&R, I was always praying for delays, “NOT TODAY OH GOD. I AM NOT READY.” I just need to share more, talk more bout this truth, so everybody will be excited for Jesus.

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Testimony 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

Viliami L., Australia

 

Testimony 25

I just want to say thank you so much for your conversations via YouTube. I regularly tune in to your lectures, “Let’s Talk” sessions, and many others. Through these I’ve found greater depth and meaning to God’s word. Thanks for all that you do and please continue. I’m currently working in the middle of Silicon Valley at Stanford University. I feel like God really has me in the right place right now and I’m sensing that your teachings might be part of it.

B. F., Silicon Valley, CA, USA

 

Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

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Testimony 68

Your message of design law vs imperial law is so uplifting and makes so much sense- it is a game changer for me. The fact that Jesus’s death is not a big payment by an angry God is , quite frankly, a relief.

Laura G., London, Ontario, Canada

 

Testimony 65

I have been tuning into your weekly study classes for a while now and wanted express my appreciation for the teachings that ha been a huge blessing in opening up the true message of the word. Viewing scripture under an imposed law theory always, without fail, raised more questions, concerns, and conflicting scripture interpretations that were discouraging at the very least. Looking at scripture through the design law lens has brought more truth to light for me personally and an understanding of our Heavenly Father that places Him “above all others,” where I am now more than thrilled to witness and serve Him.  I “stumbled” across this ministry a year or so ago and would only watch a few minutes at a time. But the more I listened and the longer I paid attention, the more my spiritual eyes were opened to the ever present truths of scripture. The comprehension of the great controversy and it’s origin by the lies perpetrated and perpetuated throughout the Bible on the attack of God’s character and government is truly priceless. Keep up the Good Work! Your servanthood is desperately needed in such a time as this!

Jeff D., Reading, MA, USA