El Monte Vietnamese SDA Church

A Bible Study on Grace

What is grace? It is something you do not deserve. An American author once said, “Grace is an attribute of God’s exercise toward undeserving human beings. We did not seek for it, but it was sent in search of us.” It is by God's grace that we wake up this morning that there is breath in our lungs. Read Matthew 5:45 for an example of grace.

Now there is a difference between grace and divine grace. Divine grace, which is also known as saving grace, is something the Christian world misunderstands and misinterprets. Let's turn to 2 Corinthians 12:9 and read together to learn more about divine grace:

"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. "

"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 me use an illustration. If I ask my dad for $100, he will ask me, “What do you need it for?” Most Christians would explain grace as my dad giving me $100, no questions asked. The Bible, on the other hand, says that grace has a purpose.

"Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Let's turn to Ephesians 2:8 and read together:

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God"

"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."

How does grace save us? Let's take what we have learned from all these verses so far into account:

• Grace is the power of Christ
• God sits on the throne of grace
• In our moments of need, when we struggle with sin, we can cry out to Jesus
• Jesus is our high priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses
• Jesus can give us power to overcome our sins
• We can be partakers of the divine nature
• God’s grace is sufficient

Grace, in essence, teaches us sanctification, to deny ungodliness. Grace saves you, educates you to live righteously to abide in the law of God. (Remember, that sin is the transgression of God's law [1 John 3:4].)

Who brings grace to us? Let's turn to Zechariah 12:10 and read together:

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

Let's turn to Hebrews 10:15-16 and read together:


"But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, 'This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them'”^[

"That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."

Let's turn to Matthew 19:16-17 and read together:

"Now behold, one came and said to Him, 'Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?' So He said to him, 'Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.'”

Let's turn to Romans 7:12-14 and read together:

"Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

The Bible says the law is holy and spiritual. It only makes sense that you need the Holy Spirit to keep God's law.

"And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment"

The Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin:

• Daniel 9:11 - Yes, all Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him
• James 2:9 - but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors

The Holy Spirit will convict the world of righteousness:

• Psalms 119:72 - My tongue shall speak of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous

The Holy Spirit will convict the world of judgment:

• James 2:13 - So speak and do so as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.