The Divine Progression of Grace

Few Biblical concepts are as critical to grasp, and yet as widely misunderstood, as God's grace. In fact, one of the biggest mistakes made by the modern church involves limiting itself to a one-dimensional definition of grace. What is grace? "Grace," we have been told, is "God’s unmerited favor." This is certainly true but grace is also much, much more. The apostle Peter wrote about the "manifold" (i.e., multifaceted) grace of God (1 Peter 4:10). Not only are Christians favored by grace, God's grace also empowers us to live in victory over sin and to influence human lives in ways that transcend our natural abilities. Grace does not provide a license for sinful living. Instead, it does a progressive work in our hearts as we journey from the point where God accepts us as we are to the exciting place He wants to take us: a fully fruitful life. Through the progressive work of grace, we are accepted, transformed, and empowered to become agents of change for God’s eternal kingdom!