1co 15v10 The Grace Of God

"THE GRACE OF GOD" I Corinthians 15:10

Most everyone talks about salvation by grace. But what they mean by grace and what the Word of God teaches about grace are exact opposites. Here are six characteristics of the grace of God, as it is set forth in the Scriptures.

1. THE GRACE OF GOD IS SOVEREIGN GRACE (Rom. 9:11-18). Grace belongs to God. He can do with it what he will. It is God's prerogative to give or withhold grace as it pleases him, and he always does. Grace is in no way determined by, earned by, or dependent upon the will and works of man.

2. THE GRACE OF GOD IS ETERNAL GRACE (Eph. 1:3-6). God alone determines to whom he will be gracious; and God made that determination before the world was made. In eternal election God chose a people to whom he would be gracious (II Tim. 1:9; II Thess. 2:13-14).

3. THE GRACE OF GOD IS REDEEMING GRACE (Rom. 3:24). Grace chose to redeem. Grace provided the Redeemer. Grace chose who would be redeemed. Grace accomplished redemption. And grace applies redemption. Those who were chosen by God in eternity were redeemed by Christ at Calvary, and are called by the Spirit in time. Grace is bestowed only upon God's elect.

4. THE GRACE OF GOD IS EFFECTUAL GRACE (Rom. 8: 28-35). Grace always accomplishes its purpose. Grace always saves its object. Grace is always effectual, irresistible, and unfailing.

5. THE GRACE OF GOD IS UNDESERVED, UNCONDITIONAL, FREE GRACE (Rom. 6:23). Man is totally depraved, totally undeserving of God's grace, totally dead in sin, totally without ability to change his condition or do anything pleasing to God. He cannot earn God's grace by works of righteousness, or win God's grace by an act of his will.

6. THE GRACE OF GOD IS IMMUTABLE GRACE (Mal. 3.6; John 10:27-29). Of this you can be sure - Grace, once it is bestowed, cannot be lost or taken away. God's saints are secure, because we are kept by his grace. And his grace is in no way dependent upon us! We did not earn it by our works. We cannot improve it by our works. And we cannot lose it by our works.