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General Grace And Specific Grace
John Moreland
© JUL 2003
General Grace
Recently, as I was reading the Word, I was impressed with a scripture in a
way I had never seen it before. It was Romans 5:21. " ... that, as sin
reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal
life through Jesus Christ our Lord." I saw that grace was a reigning
principle and power in our lives as Christians. The Greek word in this scripture
for reign is basileuo, and is from the same root as the word kingdom. The
word means to rule.. This scripture says that grace is to rule, or reign, in our
lives through righteousness.
This is made more clear in Ephesians 2:8 which reads "For by grace you
have been saved through faith...." This is a general grace which is given to
every person who is born again. This is the grace in which we stand, or
live our lives, and every Christian has been 'graced with this grace.'
While grace may be defined as unmerited favor, it has far greater scriptural
implications. If it is to reign or rule in our lives through righteousness, then
it is His enabling power in us. It is what the apostle Paul was referring to in
Philippians 3:10 when he wrote "that I may know Him and the power of His
resurrection." Grace is the ruling power to live and walk in His
resurrection life. Paul further clarifies this in the same chapter when he
writes in verse 11, " in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the
dead." The word for resurrection in verse 11 is exanastasis, and
literally means "out-resurrection," which I believe is referring to our present
life, the newness of life. Again, this is the general grace given to all saints
in Christ.
Specific Gracing
After many years as a Christian and in ministry, there is
something that is becoming more clear to me as I study the Word and watch
different people in their giftings. While there is that general grace given to
all in Christ, there are also specific giftings of grace given to every
Christian. This is made clear in Romans 12:6 when Paul writes "and since we
have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise
them accordingly: ..." In fact, there are seven different gifts listed
in verses six through eight. There are 17 gifts of grace given in the 12th
chapter of 1 Corinthians, count them.
While some of them may differ in nature, they are all gifts
of specific grace. The gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 are charisma
gifts given by the Holy Spirit. They are given to all in Christ's body so
His body may be built up, or edified in love.
Then there are also the doma gifts, or the equipping
gifts referred to in Ephesians 4:11-12; apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors
and teachers. W. E. Vines Expository Dictionary defines doma gifts by
saying this word lends greater stress to the concrete character of the "gift"
than to its beneficent nature. The character of these gifts then is to equip
the saints.
All the gracings are given in order that His body may
properly function. 1 Corinthians 12:20-27 brings clarity to this. This is
further clarified in Ephesians 4:16 when Paul writes
"... from whom the whole
body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies,
according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of
the body for the building up of itself in love."
Receiving the Grace
Jesus made a statement in Matthew 10:40-41 which helps us understand this of
receiving the grace of another. {40} "He who receives you receives Me, and he
who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. {41} "He who receives a prophet in the
name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he who receives a
righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's
reward." When we receive one sent by the Lord, then we receive the specific
grace in the person the Lord has given.
Again, the apostle Paul speaks of this in himself when he writes in Ephesians
3:1-2. {1} "For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the
sake of you Gentiles, {2} if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's
grace which was given to me for you;" When we receive an apostle, we receive
the grace he has been given, or a prophet, or an evangelist, or pastor and
teacher.
Now, may the Lord help us understand this. When we receive this grace in a
ministry, or from one another, it can become a ruling factor in our
understanding and walk. This was revealed to me as I saw that God's throne was a
throne of grace. Whatever grace may come from the throne of grace becomes
a ruling factor in our life and walk. Do you see it! Oh, how great the love and
provision of our God in our lives to please and glorify Him!
Some Practical Examples
Ephesians 5:21 is a practical word in this matter. It says, "be subject to
one another in the fear of Christ." One of the greatest attributes any
Christian can have is to be teachable. In Christ's body it is not simply a
matter of gaining knowledge, but of receiving grace from one another for
everyday living. Hebrews 10:25 gives us this: "Not forsaking the assembling
of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting (encouraging -
NAS) one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." This
is evidently a great release of grace within the saints as they relate
and fellowship one to another.
Ephesians 5:20-33, in speaking of the relationship between a husband and wife
is a perfect example of both receiving the grace of the other. How beautiful!
When children are admonished to obey their parents it is the way whereby
children receive the grace given to the parents for their well being and
up-bringing. It becomes a ruling factor in their lives and in their character.
Hebrews 13:17 is an example of receiving the grace of authority which brings
blessing and order.
"Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls,
as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief,
for this would be unprofitable for you."
Honoring constituted political or governing authority is another factor of
bringing a ruling grace into our lives. Hear the Word. 1 Peter 2:13-15.
{13}
"Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a
king as the one in authority, {14} or to governors as sent by him for the
punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. {15} For such is
the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish
men."
Our very demeanor everyday is to be a ministry of grace.
(Eph 4:29) "Let
no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for
edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those
who hear."
Dear Lord, grant us spiritual wisdom and understanding that we may receive
Your grace in one another so that Your grace might reign (in us -
author) through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
In Christ's name, Amen.
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