T orrential rain falls upon the houses of believers and unbelievers alike; scorching rays similarly dry up the gardens of Christians and non- Christians. Likewise, the grace of God falls “on the just and on the unjust” [Matthew 5:45]. This is called the common grace of God. Think about the grand scale of the universe. Since God is not dependent on anything outside Himself, He did not create the universe out of necessity. That the universe continues on at all is the result of God’s free will and grace to sustain it. Universal and indiscriminate towards unbelievers is God’s common grace as we exist in this world. God did not set all the laws of the universe in motion like a spinning top and then let it be. It is unimaginable what the repercussions would be even if God were to take a short break from sustaining the universe. Truly “by him all things consist” [Colossians 1:17]. In addition to the common grace of God is the saving or special grace of God. All those that put their faith and trust in the Lord are recipients of this saving grace. Although our sinful nature resists God, God gives the Holy Spirit to the elect making them willing and able to believe. Saving grace operates in producing conviction of sin and repentance. The gift of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is bestowed upon believers and justifies us of all sin. Completely unmerited and free is this saving grace of God.
LESSON
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
THOUGHT
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. – Ephesians 2:8
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