The Grace of God
This morning let us meditate on one of Scripture’s most beautiful truths: the grace of God. As the Apostle John writes in John 1:14, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Verse 16 reads, "From his fullness, we have all received, grace upon grace.”
If you trace the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, you will continually observe the grace of God. Grace is the golden thread woven through each page of God’s Word.
In Genesis 6:8, we read: “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” Here, amidst universal wickedness, God preserved Noah & his family by grace.
In Genesis 12, God called Abraham, not for his might or perfection, but because of grace, to become the father of a great nation.
In 2 Samuel 7, a shepherd boy named David was chosen to become king. He received the promise of an eternal throne, not due to moral perfection - In fact, he faltered many times - but purely by God’s grace.
The Prophets declared grace time and time again. Isaiah cried out: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18).
Then came the entrance of grace into history, embodied in Christ. The promise of grace was no longer spoken through shadows or symbols. Rather, grace walked among us, revealing God’s heart of love. The trinitarian and Nicene Creed says, I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages.God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,
This morning, we’ll explore two vital dimensions of God’s grace: Saving Grace and Sanctifying Grace.
1. Let us first - take a look at Saving Grace
Scripture teaches in Ephesians 2:8–9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Grace is an unmerited favor. It’s not earned, not deserved - but freely given by God. Grace is God reaching into the lives of sinners who could never reach Him. Let me say that again Grace is God reaching into the lives of sinners who could never reach Him
Titus 2:11 says For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, But Titus 2 does not stop there. Verses 12–14 show us how grace trains us to live. 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Because we have accepted Christ as Lord, we are called to make an intentional effort to avoid ungodly behaviors and worldly pursuits. Verse 12 tells us not only to live righteously and godly, but also soberly. Why soberly? Because being sober-minded helps us make wise choices, resist temptation, and live honorably before God and others.
1 Peter 5:8 warns us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
Beloved, saving grace not only rescues us from sin’s penalty but also trains us to walk in holiness as we wait for the return of Christ.
2. Now let's take a look at Sanctifying Grace
Grace does not leave us unchanged. Grace sanctifies us. Sanctifying grace is God’s ongoing work that molds us into the image of His Son.
Romans 6:14 declares, “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”
Sanctifying grace changes us from what we once were - into what Christ is making us (As Romans 6:6 says “ knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.”)
Sanctifying grace also trains us to reject sin and embrace righteousness. (As 2 Timothy 2:22 commands us to “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”)
Sanctifying Grace does not license sin. As Paul says in Romans 6:1–2, “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid!”
Sanctifying grace is also a sustaining grace. It upholds us in weakness and trial. Paul’s testimony in 2 Corinthians 12:9 remains true for us: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” When trials are not removed, grace supplies the strength to endure. Hebrews 4:16 invites us to come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may find help in time of need.
Grace begins when we encounter God’s love and surrender our lives to Christ. It motivates us to live rightly and becomes a controlling power in our lives. Ephesians 4:22–24 commands us to “put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” This is the work of sanctifying grace in our lives: it strips away the old and clothes us with the new.
John Newton, a former slave trader, confessed, “I am not what I ought to be; I am not what I want to be; I am not what I hope to be. But by the grace of God, I am not what I was.”
Beloved, however weary or worn you may feel, His saving and sanctifying grace is more than enough. It will steady you, uphold you, and keep you firm in every trial. If grace has truly touched your life, you cannot remain the same. Day by day, grace saves, sustains, and sanctifies, guiding us until the glorious day we stand face to face with Christ.
In Conclusion
Let us return to John 1:16 (ESV): “From His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”
Grace saved Noah and called Abraham. It forgave David and promised Israel a new heart. Grace was fully revealed in Christ, bringing salvation, hope, and eternal life.
Grace saves us. Grace sustains us. Grace sanctifies us.
Have you received this grace? John 1:12 declares: “But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
Grace cannot be earned. It cannot be bought. It must be received by faith in Christ Jesus. Praise God for His wonderful, amazing grace. By surrendering to His grace, we become better than we were.
One day, when we stand before the throne, we will not boast of our works, our goodness, or our deeds. We will sing only this: “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I am found. I was blind but now I see.”
