July 15, 2020
Do you believe you deserve to have hope? Is it something that every person is automatically given? So, why then are so many people struggling? Why do they not have hope? Should it be that only good people have hope and bad people are hopeless? If it is true that only good people have hope and bad people do not then, how come I know good people who feel hopeless? Is hopelessness caused by a lack of faith or does hope come from God? Does God provide hope by His grace? So, what is God’s grace anyway? Let us explore these questions and find answers from The Bible.
First of all, let us define grace. Grace is God’s unmerited favor or blessing. It can be divided into several types. Common grace is God’s grace given to all. It says in Matthew 5:45b, “For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (ESV) therefore creation and all those good things that naturally occur are common grace.
There is also saving grace. This is God’s grace given to those who believe in His Son Jesus. The Bible says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,” Ephesians 2:8 (ESV) It is clear that salvation comes from God as a gift, not something we deserve or work to receive.
There is sanctifying grace. This is the grace that helps us to mature in faith and obedience to God. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 (ESV) Paul is talking about the faith of the Philippians which has started by faith in Jesus. He tells them that the work that God started in them will be completed when Jesus returns for His Church.
There is provisional grace. That means that God provides for us. This is in part common grace and also sanctifying grace. James tells us about this kind of grace in James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (ESV) James makes a huge statement that God is the giver of all good things. It is not just good things given to faithful people but to all people.
There is sustaining grace. Which Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians 12:9 saying, ‘“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness,’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”(ESV) Paul here is talking about a thorn in his side that He prayed that it would be removed and God responded to Paul that God’s grace is sufficient for Paul to continue with the thorn in his side. So, as we go through trials God sustains us with His grace which I can testify is true because of the trials I have gone through.
So, God’s common, saving, sanctifying, provisional, and sustaining grace leads to hope because it gives us what we need when we need it.
The Bible talks about grace in Titus 2:11-14,
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” (ESV)
Paul is talking about saving grace that leads to eternal life. He is also talking about sanctifying grace that guides. These things bring me hope, how about you?
God’s grace provides is the hope for everlasting life free from the fear of death or punishment as well as continuing sanctification. If you would like these uncommon types of grace that leads to hope learn how by getting to know Jesus.
