Part 3: Types of Grace - Understanding God’s Multi-Faceted Gift
Grace Is Not Just One Thing
When we think of grace, we often think only of salvation. But God’s grace works in many ways throughout our lives. Understanding these different aspects helps us see how completely God provides for us.
Common Grace: God’s Goodness to All
Matthew 5:45
“For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
“For he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”
“For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.”
This is common grace - God’s kindness to everyone, whether they believe in Him or not. The sun shines on churches and bars. Rain waters the fields of believers and atheists alike.
Common grace includes:
- The beauty of nature is enjoyed by everyone.
- The ability to love and be loved
- Talents and abilities people are born with
- Conscience that helps distinguish right from wrong
This grace should humble us. God blesses even those who reject Him. How much more should we show kindness to all people?
Saving Grace: The Gift of Salvation
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.”
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.”
This is the grace most Christians know best - the grace that saves us from sin and death. We cannot earn it, buy it, or achieve it. God gives it freely to all who believe.
Titus 2:11
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.”
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.”
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men.”
Notice - it has appeared to all. God offers saving grace to everyone. No one is too bad, too lost, or too far gone.
Justifying Grace: Declared Righteous
Romans 3:24
“Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
Justifying grace is God’s legal declaration that we are righteous. Though we are guilty, God declares us innocent. Though we are sinners, God sees us as saints.
Think of it like this: You stand before a judge, guilty of many crimes. But instead of condemning you, the judge declares you innocent and gives you his own perfect record. That’s justifying grace.
Sanctifying Grace: Growing in Holiness
Titus 2:11-12
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.”
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age.”
Grace doesn’t just save us; it teaches us as well. It changes us. Sanctifying grace is God’s ongoing work in our lives, transforming us into more Christ-like individuals.
This grace:
- Helps us say no to sin
- Gives us the strength to do right
- Transforms our character daily
- Never give up on us.
Sustaining Grace: Strength in Weakness
2 Corinthians 12:9
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
“He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.”
This is perhaps the most personal grace. When life gets hard, when we are weak, when we want to give up - God’s sustaining grace holds us up.
Paul had a “thorn in the flesh” - some persistent problem that wouldn’t go away. God didn’t remove it, but He promised His grace would be enough. And it was.
2 Corinthians 12:10
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
“Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.”
This seems backwards, doesn’t it? But when we are weak, we depend on God’s strength. When we are strong, we depend on ourselves.
Glorifying Grace: Our Future Hope
Romans 8:30
“Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”
“Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”
“Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified.”
Glorifying grace is our future promise. One day, God will complete His work in us. We will be perfectly transformed, free from sin, living in glory with Him forever.
1 Peter 5:10
“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
“But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”
Notice - “the God of all grace.” Every type of grace comes from Him.
Other Graces God Gives
Prevenient Grace: The grace that draws us to God before we even know Him John 6:44 (NKJV) - “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.”
Special Grace: Spiritual gifts given for serving others 1 Peter 4:10 (NKJV) - “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
Why Understanding These Types Matters
When we see all the ways God gives grace, we realize:
- We need grace at every stage - not just for salvation, but for daily living.
- We are always dependent on God - from common grace to glorifying grace.
- We have no room for pride - everything good in our lives is a gift of grace.
- We cannot judge others - they need the same various graces we do
The Complete Picture
John 1:16
“And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.”
“And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.”
“From his fullness we all received grace upon grace.”
“Grace for grace” - literally “grace upon grace.” Picture ocean waves - one wave of grace after another, never stopping, always coming.
- Yesterday, you needed sustaining grace for a trial.
- Today, you need sanctifying grace to resist temptation.
- Tomorrow, you might need special grace to serve someone.
- Always, you rest in saving and justifying grace.
- Someday, you’ll experience glorifying grace.
A Humbling Reality
If God gives so many types of grace to help us in every situation, and if we need His grace every moment of every day, how can we ever look at another person and think we are better than them?
We all live by grace - multiple graces, constant graces, amazing graces. The person you’re tempted to judge needs the same graces you do. The person who hurt you is offered the same graces you receive.
Living in Light of All God’s Graces
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.”
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
“Let’s 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.”
Whatever type of grace you need today, God has it. Come boldly. Ask freely. Receive gratefully. And then, extend that same grace to others.
Prayer
Dear God of All Grace,
We are amazed at the many ways You pour out grace in our lives. From the common grace of sunshine and rain to the saving grace of salvation, from daily sustaining grace to future glorifying grace - You provide it all.
Thank You that Your grace isn’t just a one-time gift but a continuous flow. Thank You that You have a specific grace for every situation we face. When we are weak, Your grace sustains us. When we sin, Your grace forgives us. When we serve, Your grace empowers us.
Father, help us to recognize all the types of grace working in our lives. May we never take for granted the common graces You give. May we never forget the saving grace that rescued us. May we lean on Your sustaining grace in hard times.
Lord, since we receive grace upon grace from You, help us to extend grace upon grace to others. When we see someone struggling, let us remind ourselves that they need sustaining grace, not our judgment. When we see someone sinning, remind us they need saving grace, not our condemnation.
Make us channels of Your various graces. As we have freely received, may we freely give.
Thank You that one day, Your glorifying grace will complete Your work in us. Until then, help us to live dependent on Your grace every moment.
In the name of Jesus, who is full of grace and truth, Amen.