Using Human Examples to Illustrate God's Power in Grace
Illustrating God's Power in Grace through Human Examples
The concept of using human examples to illustrate God's power in grace is rooted in biblical teachings and has been a part of Christian tradition. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, God's power is described as great, strong, glorious, mighty, everlasting, sovereign, effectual, and irresistible [8]. To understand how human examples are used to illustrate this power, it's essential to examine the biblical context and the ways in which grace is manifested.
The Bible speaks of God's grace in various contexts, including the election of individuals to office or honor, the election of nations to special privileges, and the election of individuals to eternal life [1]. The concept of grace is multifaceted, encompassing God's favor, kindness, forgiveness, and the bestowal of gifts [3]. In Hebrews 4:16, believers are encouraged to "draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need" [5].
Human examples are used throughout the Bible to illustrate God's power and grace. For instance, the Psalms call upon people to "come, and see God's deeds—awesome work on behalf of the children of men" [6]. The Psalmist also invites people to "let men give praise to the Lord for his mercy, and for the wonders which he does for the children of men" [9, 10]. These examples demonstrate God's power and grace in action, highlighting His ability to deliver and comfort His people.
In the New Testament, the apostles' testimony of the resurrection of Jesus is an example of God's power in grace. Acts 4:33 records that "with great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all" [2]. This event illustrates the manifestation of God's power and grace through human agents.
The use of human examples to illustrate God's power in grace is also seen in the lives of biblical figures. For example, the joy of God over His people is illustrated through the example of Solomon [7]. Similarly, the power of God is demonstrated through the lives of individuals who have experienced His deliverance and salvation.
Different Christian traditions have interpreted the concept of God's power in grace in various ways. For instance, one commentary tradition on 1 Corinthians 11:32 notes that believers are "chastened" by God, indicating a disciplinary aspect of His grace [11]. The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill's commentary on Ephesians 1:6, emphasizes the glory of God's grace in the predestination of men to adoption [12].
The biblical concept of God's power in grace is closely tied to the idea of means of grace, which include institutions ordained by God to be channels of grace to humanity, such as the Word, Sacraments, and Prayer [4]. These means are seen as essential for receiving spiritual blessing and for growing in Christian virtues.
Sources
- 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”
- Acts “With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all. -- Acts 4:33”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Grace — (1.) Of form or person (Prov. 1:9; 3:22; Ps. 45:2). (2.) Favour, kindness, friendship (Gen. 6:8; 18:3; 19:19; 2 Tim. 1:9). (3.) God's forgiving mercy (Rom. 11:6; Eph. 2:5). (4.) The gospel as distinguished from the law (John 1:17; Rom. 6:14; 1 Pet. 5:12). (5.) Gifts freely bestowed by God; as miracles, prophecy, tongues (Rom. 15:15; 1 Cor. 15:10; Eph. 3:8). (6.) Christian virtues (2 Cor. 8:7; 2 Pet. 3:18). (7.) The glory hereafter to be revealed (1 Pet. 1:13).”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Grace, means of — An expression not used in Scripture, but employed (1) to denote those institutions ordained by God to be the ordinary channels of grace to the souls of men. These are the Word, Sacraments, and Prayer. (2.) But in popular language the expression is used in a wider sense to denote those exercises in which we engage for the purpose of obtaining spiritual blessing; as hearing the gospel, reading the Word, meditation, self-examination, Christian conversation, etc.”
- Hebrews “Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need. -- Hebrews 4:16”
- Psalms “Come, and see God’s deeds— awesome work on behalf of the children of men. -- Psalms 66:5”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Joy of God Over His People, The — Greatness of, described -- Zep 3:17. On account of their Repentance. -- Lu 15:7,10. Faith. -- Heb 11:5,6. Fear of him. -- Ps 147:11. Praying to him. -- Pr 15:8. Hope in his mercy. -- Ps 147:11. Meekness. -- Ps 149:4. Uprightness. -- 1Ch 29:17; Pr 11:20. Leads to him Prosper them. -- De 30:9. Do them good. -- De 28:63; Jer 32:41. Deliver them. -- 2Sa 22:20. Comfort them. -- Isa 65:19. Give them the inheritance. -- Nu 14:8. Illustrated -- Isa 62:5; Lu 15:23,24. Exemplified Solomon. -- 1Ki 10:9.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Power of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- Ps 62:11. Expressed by the Voice of God. -- Ps 29:3,5; 68:33. Finger of God. -- Ex 8:19; Ps 8:3. Hand of God. -- Ex 9:3,15; Isa 48:13. Arm of God. -- Job 40:9; Isa 52:10. Thunder of his power. -- Job 26:14. Described as Great. -- Ps 79:11; Na 1:3. Strong. -- Ps 89:13; 136:12. Glorious. -- Ex 15:6; Isa 63:12. Mighty. -- Job 9:4; Ps 89:13. Everlasting. -- Isa 26:4; Ro 1:20. Sovereign. -- Ro 9:21. Effectual. -- Isa 43:13; Eph 3:7. Irresistible. -- De 32:39; Da 4:35. Incomparable. -- Ex 15:11,12; De 3:24; Job 40:9; Ps 89:8.”
- Psalms “Psalms 107:31 (BBE) — Let men give praise to the Lord for his mercy, and for the wonders which he does for the children of men!”
- Psalms “Psalms 107:15 (BBE) — Let men give praise to the Lord for his mercy, and for the wonders which he does for the children of men!”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 11:32: chastened-- (Rev 3:19). with the world--who, being bastards, are without chastening (Heb 12:8).”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 1:6: To the praise of the glory of his grace,.... The grace of God manifestly appears in the predestination of men to adoption; in that God had no need of sons, he having a dear and well beloved one; in whom he is well pleased; and in that those he adopts are so unworthy of the relation; and in that men, and not angels, should be taken by him into his family; and that some, and not others of the same race; and that this should be before the world was; and in providing Christ as a Redeemer, to open the way for the reception of this grace and happiness; and in appointing t”