The Twofold Hand of God: Common Grace vs. Saving Grace
Grace, at its core, is God's unmerited favor. It is His benevolent disposition and action towards humanity, not because we deserve it, but because of His own good pleasure and sovereign will. The Bible reveals that God's grace is not monolithic; it manifests in different ways, serving distinct purposes. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for a robust theological framework and a proper appreciation of God's character. We will explore two primary categories: Common Grace and Saving Grace, examining their characteristics, recipients, and ultimate aims as revealed in the King James Version of the Bible.
Common Grace: God's Universal Benevolence
Common grace refers to the undeserved favor of God extended to all humanity, believers and unbelievers alike. It is the general benevolence of God by which He sustains the created order, restrains sin, and bestows countless temporal blessings upon all people. This grace does not regenerate or save, but it makes life bearable and demonstrates God's inherent goodness to every creature. Its scope is universal, touching every facet of existence.
One primary manifestation of common grace is God's provision for the physical needs of all mankind. The sun shines, and the rain falls, regardless of one's spiritual standing:
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
This verse clearly illustrates God's indiscriminate provision. He gives life and breath and all things to all (Acts 17:25). Even those who deny Him benefit daily from His sustaining hand.
Beyond physical sustenance, common grace also includes the moral restraint God places upon humanity. The conscience, a gift from God, bears witness to a moral law, even for those without the written law:
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Furthermore, God establishes human governments to maintain order and punish evildoers (Romans 13:1-7), thereby restraining societal chaos that would otherwise engulf humanity due to unchecked sin. The pursuit of truth in science, art, and philosophy, the development of culture, and the flourishing of human society are all indirect benefits of common grace, allowing for an environment where the gospel can be proclaimed.
However, it is crucial to understand that common grace, while benevolent, does not change the human heart or reconcile individuals to God. It leaves people in their state of spiritual deadness, though it removes any excuse for their unrighteousness (Romans 1:20).
Saving Grace: God's Redemptive Favor
In stark contrast to common grace is saving grace, which is God's specific, sovereign, and effectual favor extended to a particular people for the purpose of their salvation. This grace is not merely a restraint of sin or a temporal blessing; it is the divine power that regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and ultimately glorifies the sinner. Saving grace is always redemptive in its aim and always effective in its application.
The Bible explicitly states that salvation is entirely by grace, through faith, and not of works:
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.
This saving grace originates in God's eternal election, His choice of a people for Himself before the foundation of the world:
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Saving grace is manifested through the work of the Holy Spirit, who convicts of sin, grants repentance, and imparts faith. It is the grace that brings about the new birth, transforming a heart of stone into a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). It is the grace that justifies the ungodly through the imputation of Christ's righteousness (Romans 4:5). It is the grace that empowers believers to live a life pleasing to God, progressively conforming them to the image of Christ (Titus 2:11-12).
The efficacy of saving grace is paramount. Unlike common grace, which can be resisted or ignored, saving grace always accomplishes its intended purpose in those upon whom it is bestowed. As Philippians 1:6 declares, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." It is the grace that guarantees eternal life and preservation.
Key Distinctions Between Common Grace and Saving Grace
While both common grace and saving grace flow from the benevolent heart of God, their differences are profound and foundational:
- Recipients: Common grace is extended to all humanity (the just and the unjust, believers and unbelievers). Saving grace is extended only to the elect, those whom God has chosen for salvation.
- Purpose: Common grace aims to sustain creation, restrain sin, and demonstrate God's general goodness, making life possible and tolerable for all. Saving grace aims to redeem sinners, reconcile them to God, and bring them into eternal fellowship with Him.
- Effect: Common grace does not change the spiritual state of the heart; it provides temporal blessings and moral restraint. Saving grace profoundly changes the spiritual state of the heart, leading to regeneration, justification, and sanctification.
- Efficacy: Common grace can be resisted, ignored, or misused. Saving grace is always effective in accomplishing God's redemptive purpose in the lives of the elect.
- Source: While both originate in God's goodness, common grace flows from God's general benevolence as Creator and Sustainer. Saving grace flows from God's particular, redemptive love in Jesus Christ, applied through the Holy Spirit.
- Outcome: Common grace leads to no eternal salvation but provides temporal advantages and removes excuses. Saving grace leads to eternal salvation and glorification.
Conclusion
Understanding the distinction between common grace and saving grace illuminates the multifaceted nature of God's interaction with His creation. Common grace is the foundation upon which all life exists, a testimony to God's universal goodness and patience, holding back the full consequences of sin and providing an environment for the gospel to be heard. It is a powerful witness to God's existence and His benevolent hand over all things.
However, it is saving grace that unveils the depths of God's love and mercy. It is the grace that reaches into the spiritual deadness of humanity, quickening those who are lost, forgiving their sins, and making them new creatures in Christ. This grace, freely given through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, is the only means by which humanity can be reconciled to a holy God and inherit eternal life.
Let us therefore give thanks for both. For common grace, which allows us to breathe, see, and experience the wonders of creation daily. And preeminently, for saving grace, which has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13), granting us an eternal hope and a relationship with the living God. It is this saving grace that demands our deepest gratitude, our unwavering faith, and our lives lived in grateful obedience.