The Purpose of Grace

In light of the undeniable definition of grace we examined in our last installment, we are prepared to look at three principles concerning grace: its Purpose, its Plan, and its Proof.

First, consider the Purpose of grace. Why did God show such extraordinary, such astounding grace toward us? There is a twofold reason. First and foremost, God showed grace for the express purpose to glorify Himself. How arrogant we are sometimes! The usual view of why God saved us is that He did so because He loves us—that, is, the primary reason God saved us was to bring about something for our bene­fit. Now, while it is quite true that God loved us, that’s not the primary reason He saved us. Why? Because this view pictures us as God’s ultimate purpose when in reality God’s purpose in saving us was to ultimately bring glory to Himself. As we mentioned in Ephe­sians l, God’s ultimate purpose is to restore the unity between God and man so man can glorify Him. Oh, may we come down from our pinnacle of theological arrogance and realize that we are not God’s “focal point.” God’s focal point is primarily His own glory. Any other view is human pride and theological arrogance. We have elevated man over God’s glory.

All this is in view here in verse Ephesians 2:7—he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. The full meaning of the words he might show is to show and demonstrate Himself. That is why, first and foremost, God should grace toward us. It wasn’t because of our goodness. It wasn’t because we had something to offer Him. It wasn’t because of some talent we might be able to contribute to ministry. It was because He wanted to display Himself, to demonstrate Who He is and what He alone can do. Why did Paul write to the Corinthians, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (I Cor. 10:31)? Because since God displays His glory, should we not also demonstrate it in all that we do?

The second aspect of God’s purpose is to show kindness to man. 19^th Century preacher Alexander Maclaren offers this beautiful illustration: “As an artist in his noblest work paints or chisels simply for love of pouring out his soul, so, but in infinitely loftier fashion, the great Artist delights to manifest Himself, and in manifesting to communi­cate somewhat of Himself.” There truly is a beautiful balance here. First, only God is worthy of praise and all He does brings glory to Himself. Second, one evidence of the glory He is worthy to receive is that He loves us and has shown mercy and grace toward us. There we have God’s purpose—to glorify Himself. But at the same time He shows kindness to man, for that too, above all else, brings glory to Him. Why did God save us? Because He wanted to show kindness. But why did He want to show kindness? To display His glory.

Consider one more thought. How does God show Himself?—through the exceeding riches of His grace, as we have seen clearly in Ephesians 1. But further, how long has He been doing it? Paul says in the ages to come. What a statement that is! It was the design of God to hallow, in all ages, the remembrance of so great goodness. For all time, eternity to eternity, God displays His glory, His greatness, His goodness, and His grace through the holy person and finished work of Jesus Christ.