God's Sovereign Grace in Salvation and Redemption
God's sovereign grace in salvation and redemption refers to the unmerited favor and divine initiative through which God delivers humanity from sin and its consequences. This grace is a fundamental aspect of God's character, described as great, sovereign, and the source of all good gifts [1].
The concept of grace is closely linked to God's goodness and mercy. While God's goodness is his benevolence towards all creatures, grace is specifically his favor communicated to the unworthy [4]. The mercy of God is also a significant attribute, characterized as great, rich, plenteous, and everlasting, and is notably manifested in the sending of Christ [5]. The Holy Spirit is referred to as the Spirit of grace, and grace was upon Christ, who was full of it and through whom it came [1].
Salvation, brought by the grace of God, is presented as appearing to everyone [3]. This salvation involves redemption, which is understood as a deliverance from sin, its enslaving power, and the punishment associated with it, achieved through the sacrifice of Christ [7]. The Lord's love and forgiveness, central to this redemption, are described as infinite and complete [8].
A key aspect of God's sovereign grace is the doctrine of election. This involves God's choice of individuals for various purposes. Easton's Bible Dictionary identifies three types of election:
- Election to office or privilege: God chose individuals like Abraham, Jacob, Saul, David, and the apostles for specific roles [2].
- Election of nations: Nations, such as the Hebrews, were chosen for special privileges [2].
- Election to eternal life: This refers to God's choice of individuals for salvation, as seen in passages like 2 Thessalonians 2:13 and Ephesians 1:4 [2]. The basis for this election to salvation is God's "good pleasure" [2].
The exercise of God's grace and election demonstrates his sovereignty. God sometimes allows people to experience the consequences of their desired sin or deception, as seen in instances where he hands individuals over to the power of their chosen falsehoods [6]. This highlights a divine prerogative in the outworking of human choices and their spiritual outcomes.
The wisdom and prudence of God are abundantly displayed in the grace extended through redemption and the forgiveness of sins. This wisdom is evident in the doctrines of the Gospel, which are considered the product of God's wisdom and a means of making people wise unto salvation [9]. The riches of God's grace are exhibited in his kindness through Christ and the glory of his grace is shown in believers' acceptance in Christ [1].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Grace — God is the God of all -- 1Pe 5:10. God is the Giver of -- Ps 84:11; Jas 1:17. God's throne, the throne of -- Heb 4:16. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of -- Zec 12:10; Heb 10:29. Was upon Christ -- Lu 2:40; Joh 3:24. Christ spoke with -- Ps 45:2; Lu 4:22. Christ was full of -- Joh 1:14. Came by Christ -- Joh 1:17; Ro 5:15. Given by Christ -- 1Co 1:4. Foretold by the prophets -- 1Pe 1:10. Riches of, exhibited in God's kindness through Christ -- Eph 2:7. Glory of, exhibited in our acceptance in Christ -- Eph 1:6. Is described as Great. -- Ac 4:33. Sovereign. -- R”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Election of Grace — The Scripture speaks (1) of the election of individuals to office or to honour and privilege, e.g., Abraham, Jacob, Saul, David, Solomon, were all chosen by God for the positions they held; so also were the apostles. (2) There is also an election of nations to special privileges, e.g., the Hebrews (Deut. 7:6; Rom. 9:4). (3) But in addition there is an election of individuals to eternal life (2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:2; John 13:18). The ground of this election to salvation is the good pleasure of God (Eph. 1:5, 11; Matt. 11:25, 26; John 15”
- Titus “Titus 2:11 (BSB) — For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Goodness of God — A perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations (Ps. 145:8, 9; 103:8; 1 John 4:8). Viewed generally, it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of his creatures it is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, long-suffering patience; as exercised in communicating favour on the unworthy it is grace. "Goodness and justice are the several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Mercy of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6,7; Ps 62:12; Ne 9:17; Jon 4:2,10,11; 2Co 1:3. Described as Great. -- Nu 14:18; Isa 54:7. Rich. -- Eph 2:4. Manifold. -- Ne 9:27; La 3:32. Plenteous. -- Ps 86:5,15; 103:8. Abundant. -- 1Pe 1:3. Sure. -- Isa 55:3; Mic 7:20. Everlasting. -- 1Ch 16:34; Ps 89:28; 106:1; 107:1; 136:1-26. Tender. -- Ps 25:6; 103:4; Lu 1:78. New every morning. -- La 3:23. High as heaven. -- Ps 36:5; 103:11. Filling the earth. -- Ps 119:64. Over all his works. -- Ps 145:9. Is his delight -- Mic 7:18. Manifested In the sending of Christ. ”
- 2 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Thessalonians 2:11: 2:11 As seen elsewhere in Scripture (Exod 9:12; 2 Chr 18:22), God sometimes hands people over to the power of the sin or deception they have desired in place of the truth (Rom 1:24, 26, 28; 11:8).”
- Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 1:14: In whom we have redemption,.... Which is an excellent and wonderful blessing of grace saints have in and by Christ; and lies in a deliverance from sin, all sin, original and actual, under which they are held captive, in a state of nature, and by which they are made subject to the punishment of death; but through the sacrifice of Christ it is taken, and put away, finished, and made an end of; and they are freed from the damning power of it, or any obligation to punishment for it; and in consequence of this are delivered from the enslaving governing power of it by h”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 103:11: 103:11-12 The Lord’s love and forgiveness are infinite and complete.”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 1:8: Wherein he hath abounded toward us,.... That is, in the grace which is so abundantly displayed in redemption and forgiveness of sin, through the blood of Christ: in all wisdom and prudence; this may be understood, either of the aboundings of grace in the Gospel; which may be called all wisdom and prudence, because it is the wisdom of God; it is the product of his wisdom, and a display of it; the doctrines it contains are full of wisdom, and are the means of communicating it to men, and of making them wise unto salvation; and it may be so called, to set forth the e”