THE PREEMINENCE OF GOD’S GRACE
“By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me” (1 Cor 15:10).
Grace is God’s unmerited, unachievable favor extended to save and sanctify unworthy sinners. Grace is not a free ride, for it is conditionally received by humble faith, sincere repentance, and trusting obedience to God in baptism (Romans 2:4, 3:35, 4:12, 6:17-18; 1 Pet 3:21). Truly understanding God’s grace eliminates human arrogance and self-righteousness. G.R.A.C.E. is God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. As David Lipscomb observed, “God’s grace takes the boasting out of all mouths.”
“He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:5-7).
W. Frank Walton