The Freedom of God's Grace

by James White

The freedom of God's grace is the greatest joy that can be known. To know, both in mind and heart, that God freely chose to redeem me from the pit and draw me to Himself, is an awesome thing. It brings deep humility to know that I did not differ one wit from the person who remains in his or her sin. I am no better than another. I was no more intelligent, no more spiritual, no more wise, than anyone else. It was not something I did, not something I accomplished, not something I would ever have chosen had He not been gracious to me. I know the depth of sin and depravity that yet remains in my heart, and knowing it, realize my utter impotence to break its chains outside of grace.

Grace is a wonderful word that speaks of God's freedom and God's power. I cannot earn grace, merit grace, purchase grace, or force grace. It is free or it is not grace. Yet the grace of God that brings His elect safely into eternal rest is not merely some persuasive power that may or may not accomplish the ends for which God intends it. Grace is no servant of man, dependent upon the creature for its success. No, saving grace is God's own power. Saved, and kept, by grace. That is the Christian's hope.

The Reformed believer cannot help but stop in wonder at the words of Paul, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." He loved me! The mighty Son of God loved me, the rebel sinner, unworthy of even the first portion of his grace! And He loved me so perfectly, so completely, that He gave Himself up for me on the cross of Calvary, in some mysterious way joining me with Himself so that His death is my death! My sins borne in his body on the tree, bring perfect redemption whole and free! How can this possibly be?

The doctrines of grace touch every aspect of the Christian life, and determine, truly, whether our faith will be God-centered, or man-centered. If we realize that all things are meant to result in His glory, and that we are but vessels of mercy, made for honor and glory, we will live our lives so as to reflect the glory of the divine and majestic Creator who made us and sustains us. Our lives will be seen not as our own, directed by our sovereign and autonomous will for whatever ends we choose. We will live for the One who formed us and made us and sustains us every moment.