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The Riches of His Grace
In the letter of Ephesians we come across a statement ‘in the riches of his grace’ (1:7) which sparkles like a bright star in the galaxy. The New English Bible has ‘how immense are the resources of his grace’ (1:7). What a powerful promise from the apostle Paul who reminds us that God’s grace is both rich in content and scope. Why did Paul consider God’s grace to be rich? After he experienced the grace of God on the road to Damascus, he changed from a persecutor and prosecutor of the Church to a proclaimer of the Gospel. He is aptly called the apostle of grace. The question we want to consider is ‘why is God’s grace rich?
In what sense is it rich? God’s Grace is Rich Because of His Provision. In the riches of his grace, God has made provision for sin, defeat, guilt, failure and forgiveness. Sadly, many believers may not be totally aware of God’s provision. Some who have sinned and repented continue to condemn themselves instead of enjoying God’s forgiveness. They cut themselves off from God inadvertently because of the mistaken notion that God cannot or will not forgive them because of the magnitude of their sins. They become so preoccupied with their guilt that they never recover spiritually. In order to alleviate their guilt, some attempt to do penance or crucify themselves on the cross again and again to pay for their sins. Others just wallow in self-pity and feel unworthy to serve God. They conclude that their ministry is finished forever.
Let us look at the promises of God about his forgiveness.
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, long-suffering and ever faithful; he will not always accuse or nurse his anger forever (Psa 103:8-9)
…For you have thrust all my sins behind you (Isa 38:17)
I am the Lord; for my own sake I wipe out your transgression and remember your sins no more (Jer 31:34b)
Who is a God like you? You take away guilt, you forgive the sins of the remnant of your people. You do not let your anger rage forever, for to be merciful is your true delight. Once more you will show us compassion and wash away our guilt, casting all our sins into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:18-19)
I shall not always be accusing, I shall not continually nurse my wrath…I have seen his conduct, yet I shall heal him and give him relief; I shall bring him comfort in full measure, and on the lips of those who mourn him (Isa 57:16, 18)
…I shall turn their grief into gladness, comfort them, and give them joy after sorrow (Jer 31:13).
Yes, God does forgive. That is part of the richness of his grace. However, God’s provision of forgiveness does not mean sin is to be taken lightly. On the contrary, it must be taken seriously (cf Isa 13:6-13; Zeph 1:14-17; Eph 5:5-6).
On one hand, the cross reminds us that God is willing to forgive. Forgiveness is not cheap because it costs God his son Jesus Christ. On the other hand, we recognize that we are all sinners saved by grace. As sinners, we do fall and sin. John says, ‘If we claim to be sinless, we are self-deceived and the truth is not in us’ (1 John 1:9). However, when we fall, God’s forgiveness is available through repentance. Learn to enjoy his forgiveness and then move on.
Even before we fall, God already knows. Take the example of Adam and Eve. Did God know they would fall? God is omniscient which means God is all-knowing. If he doesn’t know everything, then he is limited and not much of a God. Even when we blow it, he isn’t surprised. When Adam and Eve sinned, God was ready to redeem them. He surprised them by his grace when he ‘made coverings from skins for the man and his wife and clothed them’ (Gen 3:14). When David committed adultery, God was ready to forgive him. When Samson disobeyed God, God was ready to forgive him. Yes indeed, God is never caught by surprise!
We must not overlook the fact that the grace which was seen at work in the Garden of Eden is the same grace which roots and grounds itself in the great reality of Christ’s coming. The grace emerging into view in God’s questions to the man and the woman is grace revealed in the Messianic references in Genesis 3:15 (MacMillan 1997: 43).
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase,
To added afflictions He addeth his mercy
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half-done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of his infinite riches in Jesus
Readily Available
God’s grace is readily available to help us through tough times. The star of God’s grace seems to shine brightest in the galaxy of the darkest human experience. If God can wrest such triumph out of the jaws of apparent defeat, and draw strength from a moment of ultimate weakness, what might not God do with the apparent failure and hardship of my life? Nothing - not even the murder of God’s own Son - can end the relationship between God and human beings.
The writer of Hebrews exhorts, ‘Boldly approach the throne of grace, in order that we may receive mercy and find grace to give us timely help’ (Heb 4:16). When you need more grace, you can approach his throne of grace to ask for more grace. When we look at grace we are looking at God. We can bless and thank him because he is God of all grace. Paul urged Timothy, ‘Be strong in the grace that is in Jesus’ (2 Tim 2:1).
Discussion Questions
says, ‘Grace does not flow from a half-reluctant and partially-reconciled God, like the scanty and uncertain movements of a brook in time of drought? It comes in oceanic fullness’. Why?
poem?