The History of Grace
Grace is the sovereign working of God for the benefit of His chosen people (Rom 11:5; 1 Pet 2:9), the Israel of God, the church of Jesus Christ (Mt 16:18; Gal 6:16). In eternity past, grace planned all things that would eventually come to pass, after God created space and time (Gen 1–2). The Bible calls this, “God’s predetermined plan and foreknowledge (Acts 2:23).”
Before Creation, God predestined this elect people to salvation (Eph 1:4–5). He gave them to His eternal Son, our Lord Jesus Christ (Jn 6:37; 17:2, 6, 24). All that God the Father gave to His Son do indeed come to Him (Mt 11:28; Jn 6:44, 65), when in time, they hear His voice in the Spirit, who summon them (Jn 10:3–4; 28-29).
Grace was in the Garden of Eden, providing for Adam and Eve’s every need. Even the intrusion by the tempter would have its good effect, for Adam was outside of God, but some of Adam’s offspring would later find themselves, “in Christ.” This is a far better position than Adam in innocence, and it is worked entirely by grace (1 Cor 1:30; 2 Cor 1:21).
Grace gave wisdom, power, protection, and time for Noah to build the ark of his family’s salvation, from the great flood of God’s judgment (Gen 6–9). Noah was in the line of Seth, which has received this kind of grace since the earliest days. When God revealed Himself to Abraham (Gen 12), the promises of grace came with an oath and within the framework of an unconditional covenant of grace.
Grace always does what grace has promised. Grace works all things together for good (Rom 8:28), even despite the unworthy recipients of grace. Sinners occupy the line of Seth, but what separates them from the line of Cain is grace. God has mercy on them and shows them favor they do not deserve (Rom 9:15). In short, grace saved us (Eph 2:8–9; Titus 3:5), that is, God’s elect, redeemed, regenerate people — a people of God’s own possession (1 Pet 2:9), who He foreknew (Eph 1:4), having written their names in the Lamb’s Book of Life before the foundation of the world (Rev 13:8; 17:8; 21:27).
Foreknowledge is God’s special love interest in His body of people, His church. It is not a looking down the tunnel of time to see events; rather, it is the Lord knowing those who belong to Him (2 Tim 2:19). This holds the sense of great intimacy, as when a man knows his wife after they are married. A shepherd knows the names and idiosyncrasies of every one of his sheep; and if he were to have a flock of one hundred, and one was lost, the shepherd would know that one, leave the others, and find the one he loves (Mt 18:12).
Grace and its eternal plan is decreed; therefore, grace visits God’s people perfectly in time. Israel needed a deliverer from bondage in Egypt, and grace provided Moses. Moses was between a rock and hard place on the shore of an impassable body of water. Grace provided the miracle in the very hour Israel was doomed. Grace brought Israel into Canaan, accomplishing what God intended.
Isaiah recorded God’s self-declaration of His sovereignty, “The Lord of hosts has sworn, saying, ‘Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand (Is 14:24).” In His sovereign power and wisdom, grace provides. Grace delivers. Grace protects. Grace is always sufficient in our time of need (2 Cor 12:9). Grace is working its eternal plan, and in time, it is providence. All things are ordained by God, and all things must happen providentially. Grace, however, is God’s superintending help for His people to fulfill His purpose for them in Christ (Eph 3:11).
Grace took Joseph from dungeon to dominion. Grace delivered Jerusalem from the Assyrians, and grace brought Judah back from Babylon. Throughout the Old Testament types and shadows, grace was providing hope to weary Israel. Sin was rampant; and the Law exposed sin, even increased it. Grace brought the Israelites low, by the conviction of the prophets’ preaching, but the promise of Messiah was the Gospel of grace. Not all Israel believed the prophets’ report, but a remnant did believe…by grace (Rom 9:6).
At the fullness of time, meaning the exact time in God’s plan for grace to appear in human flesh…He did (Jn 1:14; Gal 4:4). Grace and truth came at the incarnation of the God/man, Jesus Christ (Jn 1:17). All of His words were grace and truth. All of His works were gracious for the benefit of His people. In the Lord Jesus Christ, grace abounded for the ones He came to save (Mt 1:21; Rom 5:15, 20). There was no grace for those who despised and rejected Him, however. We must admit that their ongoing unbelief was because there was no grace for them.
Grace always initiates. Where there is a beginning of grace, there will be a sustentation of grace. Nothing can overpower or out maneuver grace because grace reigns (Rom 5:20–21). The kingdom of grace is ruled by King Grace, who decrees and executes His sovereign grace, by His sovereign power.
King Grace is at war with King Sin, who will not prevail because the power and wisdom of grace are far more potent. This is good news for those under sin, to believe, and it is always grace that causes the transfer and transformation of sinners into believing saints. Grace never fails because the love behind grace never fails (1 Cor 13:8).
God is love (1 Jn 4:8), and He is the God of all grace (1 Pet 5:10). He is full of grace — graceful. He ever works His grace — graciously. Grace is what God’s people have needed from the beginning, and grace has always been their supply.
Grace gives life, and then grace gives light for the spiritually blind to see (Jn 9; 2 Cor 4:6). The select recipient will grow in knowledge of God because grace is at work within him (2 Pet 3:18). The Spirit of grace is willing and working God’s good pleasure in each humble saint (Phil 2:13). This is true throughout the history of grace, and in the experience of every believer throughout that history. Therefore, there is nothing that identifies God’s graced people like the grace they have received, to bear witness of His grace. This is the history of grace, and it is the future of grace, too. Grace has and will prevail.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
June 3, 2022
