THE GRACE OF GOD

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE(Eng.) ND/HD (Journalism); BA (Hons) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939  E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

THE GRACE OF GOD

Devotional Text: Titus 2:11-14

Introduction:

The grace of God simply means the “energy” of the Spirit of God. Naturally speaking, “energy” is the ability to do work. Therefore, the grace of God is that “divine energy” that enables us do our God-given assignments. The grace of God can also be defined as “unmerited favour”. The concept here demonstrates the fact that the grace of God is not based on any form of human qualification.

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)     The Grace of God is the means of salvation, (Eph. 2:8).

(2)     The Grace of God is only given to the humble, (Prov. 3:34; James 4:6).

(3)     The Grace of God is only found in Jesus Christ, (II Tim. 2:1).

(4)     The Grace of God carries the potentiality that makes one grow spiritually, (II Pt. 3:18).

THE GRACE OF GOD AS THE MEANS OF SALVATION (EPH. 2:8-9)

According to Louis Berkhof (1958), “salvation is the restoration of a sinner to divine favour and to a life of intimate communion with God”. The depravity of man as necessitated by the original sin actually brought about the separation of man from God. Consequently, death became evident, and affected all men, (Rom. 5:12). It is obvious that man in sin cannot save himself. Therefore, man can only be;

(i)       saved by grace, (Eph. 2:8-9).

(ii)     justified by grace, (Titus 3:7).

(iii)    encouraged in the Faith of Jesus Christ by grace, (II Thess. 2:16).

When one is saved from sin, justified in Christ and encouraged, one becomes restored to divine favour and to a life in intimate communion with God. This is the Will of God.

THE GRACE OF GOD AS A TEACHER, (TITUS 2:11-12)

            As we can notice, Brother Titus uses the concept of personification in portraying the grace of God. Here, he portrays what was earlier defined as “divine energy” with human attributes, and thus, the grace of God becomes a teacher. The figure of speech used by the writer shows that the grace of God is a means of salvation from;

(i)       ungodliness (vs. 12) and

(ii)     worldly passions (vs. 12).

It also indicates that the same “grace” carries with it a hope renewing energy that keeps the believer’s zeal alive as he waits for the glorious appearing of our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ, (vs. 13).

HOW TO RECEIVE THE GRACE OF GOD, (Heb. 4:16).

            Everyone who desires to live uprightly, godly and a self-controlled life in this present age needs the grace of God. This is because it only takes the energy of the Spirit of God to overcome the energies of the flesh and evil forces. Thus, we are asked to approach the throne of grace in our time of need. Therefore, one who needs the grace of God must;

(i)       humble oneself, (James 4:6).

(ii)     pray for it, (Heb. 4:16)

(iii)    go through Jesus Christ, (John 1:17).

In conclusion, it is important to note that there is no level of sin or weakness that one cannot overcome by the grace of God. For it is written, “where sin increased,  grace increased all the more”, (Rom. 5:20).