God’s Glorious Grace

[In love] he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will–to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

Ephesians 1:5

Three times in Ephesians 1:3-14 we find language that connects praise of God with God's glory: "to the praise of his glorious grace" (1:6); "for the praise of his glory" (1:12); and "to the praise of his glory" (1:14). Verse 6 is distinctive because it refers to praise, not just of God's glory, but of "the glory of his grace" (as the Greek might be translated more literally). What is God's grace? And how is it glorious?

The grace of God is his unmerited favor. It is similar to God's love, though grace emphasizes the fact that God's goodness to us is not something we earn or deserve. It is given in light of God's own grace-full nature.

God's glory is that which makes God uniquely wonderful and exceptional. In Scripture, the glory of God is frequently revealed through brilliant light (for example, 1 Kings 8:10-11; Isa 60:1; Ezek 10:4; Luke 2:9; Heb 1:3). Yet God's glory is also revealed through his saving actions. According to Ephesians 1:4-6, God's glory is "seen" in the fact that he chose us and predestined us to be his children. Thus, God's grace is glorious, not only because it is wonderful for us, but also because it reveals God's own character as a giving and forgiving God.

Thus, as we meditate upon God's grace, we are drawn to worship. We yearn to praise the glory of his grace. We lift up our words and songs of praise as a thankful and humble response to the God who has made us his own because he loves us and delights to be in relationship with us.

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: As you consider the glory of God's grace, what thoughts or images come to mind? How can we experience God's glorious grace?

PRAYER:

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.

Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
Brighter than snow you may be today.

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?

Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin. Amen.

"Marvelous Grace of Our Loving Lord" by Julia H. Johnson, 1911. Public domain.