Into This Grace

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 

‘Access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.’ We are not merely introduced to God by Jesus Christ for an interview, but we are to remain with Him as part of His household (Eph. 2:18-22; 3:12).

‘Grace’ the primary meaning of grace in connection with God is: free, eternal, and unmerited love and favour of God toward free moral agents who are the product of His own creation, whether human or spirit beings, and who are capable of God; consciousness and moral responsibility. Grace is the spring, source, and the very fountain-head of all the manifold benefits and blessings of God to all of His creation (3:24; 5:17-21; 11:5, 6; John 1:14-17; 3:16; 2Cor. 9:8; Eph. 1:6,7; 2:5-8; Jas. 4:6; 1Pet. 5:5). Grace is also used to mean the favour and friendship of man with man (Gen. 32:5; 33:8-15; 34:11; 39:4; 47:25, 29; Ruth 2:10; Esther 2:17).

All of God’s great benefits come through His marvellous grace. We deserve nothing but He gives us everything. Grace moves God to act in behalf of and for the best and eternal good of the whole creation. Grace is seen in acts of judgment as well as in acts of mercy. It works for the benefits of the few as well as of the many. All living creatures have an eternal guarantee of God’s benefits and loving providence through grace. We get through grace “every good and perfect gift” and “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (3:24; 5:2, 17-21; 6:14; 8:32; John 3:16; 2Cor. 8:9; 9:8; Jas. 1:17; 4:6; 2Pet. 1:3-4). Such benefits are received solely by free moral agents upon the principle of humiliation and entire dependence upon God by faith, realizing that the creature is nothing, and the Creator is all and the source of all Such blessings are wholly apart from works (3:24-31; 4:1-4, 16; 5:15-21; 6:14, 15; 11:6; Gal. 2:16; 3:1-12; Eph. 2:7-9).

Four secrets of continued grace: Live and walk in the Spirit (8:1-13; Gal. 5:5; 16-26; Col. 3:5-10). Be patient in hope (8:24; Gal. 5:5; Heb. 3:6, 12-14; 6:19). Continue in Christ (Gal. 5:6; John 15:1-8; Col. 2:6-7; Heb. 3:14). Continue in faith (Gal. 5:6; Col. 1:23).

‘We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience’ we have grace to endure trials without sustaining loss or deterioration. We are like silver and gold when refined (Pro. 17:3; 1Pet. 1:7). Just as silver and gold are purified by fire, so the Lord purifies the hearts of men by fiery trials (Jas. 1:2, 12; 1Pet. 4:12; Rev. 3:18). Fire only separates all the foreign and impure materials from gold. It loses nothing of its nature, weight, colour, or any other property. Gold has been kept in a state of fusion for months without the smallest change. Genuine faith also will be proved by trials.