Grace Comes Before One Understands the Truth

1. What Is Grace?

Grace is the undeserved favor and loving-kindness of God shown toward humanity.
It is not earned by merit, effort, or righteousness, but freely given by God because of His nature—love and mercy.

• Hebrew (Old Testament): The word often translated “grace” is ḥen (חֵן), meaning favor, kindness, or compassion.
• Greek (New Testament): The word is charis (χάρις), meaning gift, favor, or blessing freely bestowed.

Grace is, in essence, God doing for humanity what we could never do for ourselves.

📜 2. Grace in the Old Testament

Though the full revelation of grace comes in Christ, the Old Testament lays a clear foundation for it. God’s grace is seen in His mercy, patience, covenant faithfulness, and willingness to forgive.

1. Grace as God’s Favor

• Genesis 6:8 – “But Noah found grace (ḥen) in the eyes of the Lord.”
  Despite widespread wickedness, Noah received divine favor—not because he was perfect, but because God chose to act in mercy.
  Grace always begins with God’s initiative.
• Exodus 33:17 – God says to Moses, “You have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.”
  This personal knowledge and favor represent intimate relationship and divine approval beyond merit.

1. Grace in the Covenant Relationship

• Exodus 34:6–7 – “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.”
  Here, grace is at the heart of God’s self-revelation. His character is not only just but overflowing in mercy and forgiveness.
• Deuteronomy 7:7–8 – God chose Israel not because of their greatness, but because of His love and faithfulness.
  This demonstrates grace through election—His favor rests not on performance but on His promise.

1. Grace Seen Through Forgiveness and Restoration

• Psalm 103:8–10 – “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy… He has not dealt with us according to our sins.”
  Grace here means divine restraint—God’s refusal to give us what we deserve.
• Isaiah 55:7 – “Let the wicked forsake his way… and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”
  Even in judgment, God invites repentance through grace.

Summary (Old Testament):

Grace in the Old Testament is God’s unearned favor expressed through His patience, forgiveness, and covenant faithfulness toward His people.

✝️ 3. Grace in the New Testament

The New Testament brings the doctrine of grace to its fullest light through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

1. Grace Revealed in Christ

• John 1:14, 16–17 – “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth… For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
  Grace is now embodied and personified in Christ—He is grace made visible.
• Titus 2:11 – “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.”
  Grace is not an abstract idea—it appeared in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

1. Salvation by Grace Alone

• Ephesians 2:8–9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
  Grace is the foundation of salvation—it cannot be earned. Faith is simply the hand that receives it.
• Romans 3:23–24 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
  Grace freely justifies the guilty because Jesus paid the full price.

1. Grace as the Power for Christian Living

• Romans 6:14 – “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”
  Grace not only saves—it empowers us to live victoriously over sin.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
  Grace is divine strength in human weakness.
• Titus 2:11–12 – “The grace of God… teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts.”
  Grace trains believers—it does not excuse sin but transforms hearts.

1. Grace as God’s Continuing Gift

• James 4:6 – “But He gives more grace.”
  Grace is continual—it grows as we walk humbly with God.
• Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
  Believers live daily by God’s sustaining grace.

⚖️ 4. Grace and Truth — Which Comes First?

In John 1:17, we read:

“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

Grace and truth are inseparable in Christ, but grace precedes truth in our experience.

• Grace opens the heart to receive truth.
• Truth then transforms the life by the power of grace.

Without grace, truth would condemn us. Without truth, grace would lack moral direction.
Together, they reveal God’s perfect character—holy love.

🌅 5. Summary: The Flow of Grace in Scripture

Stage	Old Testament	New Testament
Definition	Favor and kindness from God	Undeserved gift through Christ
Expression	Covenant mercy, patience, forgiveness	Salvation, justification, sanctification
Means	Faith in God’s promises	Faith in Christ’s finished work
Result	God’s people blessed and sustained	Believers saved and empowered for holy living

💧 6. Conclusion: Living Under Grace

Grace is the heart of the gospel.
It is God’s love in action—offering forgiveness to the guilty, strength to the weak, and life to the dead.

• Romans 5:20–21 – “Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more… that grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
• Grace reigns, meaning it has the final word over sin and death.

Therefore, to live in grace is to live in thankful dependence on God—knowing that every breath, every blessing, and every hope rests upon His unmerited favor.