How would you define the word “grace”? For most Americans, grace is synonymous with words like kindness, goodness, charm, good manners, or some other attractive characteristic. Some people might call to mind a picture of a Southern belle with flawless social skills; others might think of an accomplished dancer or figure skater. These are perfectly good definitions of grace for those who are not Christians . . . but what about those of us who have been saved by grace?
A Christian child might connect the word “grace” to the short prayer said at mealtime, giving thanks and asking for God’s blessings upon the meal. Their parents would likely recall the acronym G.R.A.C.E.—God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. This last phrase comes very close to a workable, textbook definition of grace: the unmerited favor of God lavished on undeserving sinners, thanks to Christ’s suffering and death.
But we can’t stop there. The truths of the Gospel demand we go further. Any definition of grace that does not include the Gospel-truth of what we actually deserved is little more than a quick sketch, rather than a portrait of what our loving Lord has done for us. Let’s make a brief study of what we HAVE earned from God.
[B]ut you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die. (Genesis 2:17)
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned. (Romans 5:12)
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son—both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die. (Ezekiel 18:4)
The wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23)
“God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense” is a good beginning to defining grace, but to this we must add: “freely offered to those who deserved only death, hell and the eternal wrath of Almighty God.” Martyn Lloyd-Jones summarized it powerfully: “Grace is favor shown to people who do not deserve any favor at all. We deserve nothing but hell. If you think you deserve heaven, take it from me, you are not a Christian.” WOW! Now that is an accurate picture of who we are and what we deserve apart from the grace of the Gospel.
My beloved pastor, Tullian Tchividjian, beautifully paraphrased Romans 5:8 in his “Pictures of Grace” sermon series: “When we were at our most appalling, Christ died for us.” When we hold the truth about grace up to the light of who we really are and what we thoroughly deserve, it truly is spectacular!
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 