A Definition of Grace

God is sovereign in the exercise of His grace! This  of necessity, for grace is favor shown to the undeserving, yea, to the Hell-deserving. Grace is the antithesis of justice. Justice demands the impartial  enforcement of law. Justice requires that each shall receive his  legitimate due, neither more nor less. Justice bestows no favors and is  no respecter of persons. Justice, as such, shows no pity and knows no  mercy. But after justice has been fully satisfied, grace flows forth.  Divine grace is not exercised at the expense of justice, but “grace  reigns through righteousness” (Romans 5:21), and if grace “reigns”, then is grace sovereign.

Grace has been defined as the unmerited favor of God; and if  unmerited, then none can claim it as their inalienable right.  If grace is unearned and undeserved, then none are entitled to it. If  grace is a gift, then none can demand it. Therefore, as  salvation is by grace, the free gift of God, then He bestows it on whom  He pleases. Because salvation is by grace, the very chief of sinners is  not beyond the reach of Divine mercy. Because salvation is by grace,  boasting is excluded and God gets all the glory.

The sovereign exercise of grace is illustrated on nearly every page  of Scripture. The Gentiles are left to walk in their own ways, while  Israel becomes the covenant people of Jehovah. Ishmael the firstborn is  cast out comparatively unblessed, while Isaac the son of his parents’  old age is made the child of promise. Esau the generous-hearted and  forgiving spirited is denied the blessing, though he sought it carefully  with tears, while the worm Jacob receives the inheritance and is  fashioned into a vessel of honor. So in the New Testament. Divine truth  is hidden from the wise and prudent, but is revealed to babes. The  Pharisees and Sadducees are left to go their own way, while publicans  and harlots are drawn by the cords of love. [A.W. Pink]

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