God’s GraceGod’s Grace

Knowing GodKnowing God by J.I. Packer by J.I. Packer

Grace defined:Grace defined:• Charis = CharismaticCharis = Charismatic• God’s Riches At Christ’s God’s Riches At Christ’s

ExpenseExpense• Judaizers wanted to add Judaizers wanted to add

Christianity to Judaism; Christianity to Judaism; Pelagians said sin was a choice Pelagians said sin was a choice not inbrednot inbred

• Arriving at truth by Arriving at truth by discussion; no absolutesdiscussion; no absolutes

• ““I can do it myself”I can do it myself”

Modern man’s condition:Modern man’s condition:• Riches are our “salvation” Riches are our “salvation” • We imagine God as someone We imagine God as someone

like ourselveslike ourselves

God’s justiceGod’s justice• A mistake, but not seriousA mistake, but not serious• We see evil as tolerable and We see evil as tolerable and

accept itaccept it• God is just and righteousGod is just and righteous

Modern man’s helplessnessModern man’s helplessness• God must take the initiative God must take the initiative

– – we are we are dead in sin dead in sin

• Sacrifices would appease Sacrifices would appease godsgods

The means of graceThe means of grace• Works of pietyWorks of piety• Communal practicesCommunal practices• Works of mercyWorks of mercy

The Sovereign Freedom of The Sovereign Freedom of GodGod• God does not need us, we God does not need us, we

need Himneed Him• Salvation does not depend Salvation does not depend

on man’s will but on God’s on man’s will but on God’s mercymercy

• Accept grace as freely givenAccept grace as freely given• Grace and salvation are Grace and salvation are

cause and effectcause and effect

Grace and sinGrace and sin• God gave His son to pay for God gave His son to pay for

sinsin• Grace brings with it many Grace brings with it many

benefitsbenefits

Grace and gratitudeGrace and gratitude• The power of God secures our The power of God secures our

salvationsalvation• If salvation is certain, why If salvation is certain, why

live a holy life?live a holy life?• We are prone to wanderWe are prone to wander• We “prove our claim” as We “prove our claim” as

Christians by living a Christ-Christians by living a Christ-like life (evidence of grace)like life (evidence of grace)