FOR YEARS 6. 7. 8 B iblically . . ,. educationally . . . evangelistically . . . spiritually . . . Teaching Primaries is outstanding in its field. W rite today for your FREE cop y o f Teaching Primaries , Primary W orld, and Primary Handwork to Dept. 75K p LIGHT AND LIFE,PRESS ¡ l l W INONA LAKE, INI?. . DROWN " Training Youth to Live Since 1919” John Brown University Si loam Springs, Arkansas Education for "Head, Heart and Hand" Brown Military Academy San Diego 9, California Junior High — Senior High — Junior College Junior School — 1st thru 6th grades Southern California Military Academy Long Beach 6, California Pre-Kindergarten thru 9th grade Brown School For Girls Glendora, California 1st Grade thru High School WRITE INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION
Doctrinal pointers by Gerald B. Stanton, Th.D. Prof, of Systematic Theology, Talbot Theological Seminary Grace
P ossibly the best synonym for this highly important Biblical term is “ divine favor” — favor freely be stowed upon those totally unable to return that favor. The grace of God is God’s free action in behalf of those who are without merit. It is the dem onstration of how good God can be to those who deserve His wrath. Grace is what the Father is now free to do in behalf of a guilty sinner on the basis of the sacrificial death of Christ. Grace takes away the punish ment we did deserve and gives us the salvation we did not deserve. It is truly “ unmerited favor.” The grace of God is not to be con fused with His mercy or His love (Eph. 2:4, 5). Grace precedes mercy (1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2) and is an expression of love, but it is towards those who are unlovely. It is similar to the goodness of God, but it is His goodness manifested toward the ill- deserving. The Scriptures make clear the fact that grace not only charac terizes God the Father (1 Pet. 5:10), but also the Son, “full of grace” (John 1:14) and the Holy Spirit (Heb. 10:29). Grace as an instrument o f salva tion. In order that men may be justi fied (Tit. 3:7) and have peace with God (Rom. 1:7), God deals with them in grace. We are “justified freely by his grace through the re demption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24). “ The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men” (Tit. 2:11). Redemption which brings forgiveness of sins is “ according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7). No wonder the apostle exclaims “ for by grace are ye saved” (Eph. 2:5, 8). It was his high calling “ to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). Salvation is a gift freely provided by God’s grace and cannot be paid for. Grace guarantees that God will not do less for men more sinful than others. However, lest any should pre sume that God will save men who persist in unbelief, let it be noted that Christ is the only channel through whom the grace of God can
flow. W ill God take to heaven men who disbelieve in Christ, simply be cause He is gracious? No! To reject Christ is to reject the grace of God. Grace as a dispensational economy. In the New Testament the dispensa tion of grace is frequently contrasted with the Mosaic dispensation of law. “ For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). This does not mean that God was ever less than gracious, but simply that God in this age deals with men on the basis of divine grace alone, uncomplicated by other issues. Paul speaks of “ the dis pensation of the grace of God” (Eph. 3:2), during which time men are “ not under the law, but under grace” (Rom. 6:14). We concur with Sco field (in his note on John 1:17) when he says: “ Law is connected with Moses and works; grace with Christ and faith. Law blesses the good; grace saves the bad. Law demands that blessings be earned; grace is a free gift.” Grace as a life principle. While we cannot grow into a grace relationship with God, having through salvation entered into the sphere of His gra cious dealing, we are therein to grow. Christians should abound in grace (2 Cor. 8:7). The marks of grace are to be indelibly printed upon their speech and singing (Col. 3:16; 4:6), their giving and their Christian ser vice (2 Cor. 8:7; Heb. 10:29), their prayer fellowship and their spiritual advancement (Heb. 4;16; 2 Pet. 3:- 18). The future manifestation of grace. While even now we are heirs togeth er of the grace of life (1 Pet. 3:7), in the ages to come believers shall be put on display as living trophies of God’s grace in Christ (Eph. 2:7). In that day Christ “ shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satis fied” (Isa. 53:11). It is significant that the closing verse of the Bible voices the prayer, “ the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” Let us together rejoice in the many aspects of this privilege in which we stand. END.
Please mention "King’s Business” when writing to advertisers.
Bu y D irect A t Amazing
BIG DISCOUNT Get oar special offer to stu dents, teachers, Christian workers and missionaries. Satisfaction guaranteed or money back. Try before you buy and savo up to 50% . FIVE DAY FREE TRIAL
Easy to own and play. Unsurpassed in beauty. Comparison invited — be sure you get the beet — TRADE-INS ACCEPTED. Send Free Catalog and full details.
ACCORDION MANUFACTURERS & WHOliSALERS OUTLET 2003 West Chicago Avo., Dept. BX Chicago 22,111.
JULY, 1955
25
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker