THE
DISTINGUISHING GRACE OF GOD
“For
who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not
receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst
not received it?”
-- 1 Corinthians 4:7
The only difference between the believer and the unbeliever, between
the righteous and the wicked, between the seed of Christ and the seed of the
serpent, is the difference which grace has made. This we must acknowledge.
"By the grace of God I am what I am!" All believers gladly
make that acknowledgement. God's grace is always particular, distinctive, and
distinguishing. Those who are saved are distinguished from those who are lost
by five acts of grace.
Eternal Election
The first distinguishing act of God's grace is his eternal
election. If you can, with the eye of faith, trace every spiritual blessing
that you now enjoy, and those which you hope to enjoy, back to the place of
their original source, the place of their origin would be spelled "E L
E C T I O N" (Eph. 1:3-4; 2 Thess. 2:13; Jer. 1:4; 31:3). Thank God
for his free, electing love!
Effectual Redemption
The second act of grace by which God has distinguished his elect
from the rest of mankind is effectual redemption. By his precious blood, poured
out unto death upon the cross, the Lord Jesus Christ has effectually ransomed
God's elect from the hands of divine justice, by satisfying the claims of
justice against us (Isa. 53:8-11; Gal. 3:13; Heb. 9:12). “Christ hath
redeemed us.” Let the redeemed of the Lord rejoice!
Adorable Providence
The third act of grace by which the Lord God has distinguished
his own elect from the rest of the world is his adorable providence. Our God
governs all the affairs of this world. Specifically, he has governed all the
affairs and circumstances of our lives to bring us to the place where we now
are, and ultimately to eternal glory in Christ (Matt. 10:29-31; Rom. 8:28).
Thank God for his wise, unerring, adorable providence!
Divine Regeneration
The fourth act of grace by which we are distinguished from all
other men is God's sovereign work of regeneration. The only thing that makes
you different from any other being on this planet, if you are born again, is
the fact that God has saved you. He gave you life and faith in Christ by the
irresistible power of his Spirit (Eph. 2:1-10). Give praise to God the Holy
Spirit for the blessed gift of divine regeneration.
Merciful Preservation
The fifth act of grace by which God distinguishes his elect from
the unbelieving is his merciful preservation. The only thing that keeps us in
grace is grace itself. The only thing that holds us to Christ is Christ himself
(Jer. 32:38-40). Thanks be unto our God, the holy, triune God, Father, Son and
Holy Spirit for distinguishing grace! “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but
unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.” Amen.