Unwrapping GraceSýnishorn

Praising God’s Glorious Grace

[In love, God] 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 1:5-6

Three times in Ephesians 1 we find language that links praise of God and 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 “his glorious grace.” This phrase makes us wonder: What exactly is God’s grace? How is it glorious? And what difference might God’s glorious grace make to us? 

The grace of God is his unmerited favor. It is similar to God’s love, though grace underscores 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. Grace can never be earned, by definition. As soon as you earn something, it’s not grace. Grace is a gift, a generous and glorious gift. This truth is underscored in Ephesians 1:6, where it says that God “has freely given” his “glorious grace” to us. The Greek verb behind “has freely given” is actually charitoo, from the same root as “grace,” charis in Greek. More literally, we might say that God has graced us with his glorious grace. 

God’s glory is that which makes God 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; Ezekiel 10:4; Luke 2:9; Heb 1:3). Moreover, God’s glory is glimpsed in his saving actions. According to Ephesians 1:4-6, God’s glory is seen in the fact that he chose us to be his beloved 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, forgiving, loving Heavenly Father.

Therefore, as we meditate upon God’s grace, as we reflect on God’s glory revealed through his grace, we are drawn to praise him, as it says in Ephesians 1:6. We yearn to worship God because of the glory of his grace. We lift up our words and songs of praise, indeed, we offer our whole lives in worship as a thankful and humble response to the God who has made us his own because he freely loves us and delights to be in relationship with us. All of this is an expression of God’s grace, his amazing, glorious grace, his grace that changes everything. 

For this reason, our personal worship and the worship we lead for others should be centered in our glorious God and his glorious grace. As we come before the King of kings, the Righteous Judge, we come not in fear, but with boldness because God’s throne is for us a “throne of grace” (Heb 4:16). Thus, we worship with gratitude and confidence, knowing that God’s grace invites us in, draws us near, and helps us in our time of need. 

A Joyous Celebration of God’s Grace

The following hymn, sometimes called “Grace Greater Than Our Sin” or “Marvelous Grace of Our Loving Lord” was written by Julia H. Johnson in 1911. The lyrics are in the public domain. 

 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.

  

Personal Questions:

When in your life have you experienced God’s glory? 

Do you ever associate God’s glory with God’s grace? If so, why? If not, why not?

As you reflect on God’s glorious grace, what comes to mind? What thoughts? What images? What feelings? What songs? What passages of Scripture? 

Questions Relevant to Your Worship Leadership:

To what extent could the worship you lead be described as “praise of God’s glorious grace?”

In what ways does your corporate worship reveal and reflect God’s glory? 

How might people who are touched by God’s grace in “gathered” worship live out this grace when they are “scattered” out into the world, dispatched by the Lord into their places of work and play? 

Prayer: 

Gracious God, indeed, you are glorious beyond words, beyond comprehension. Your reputation fills the universe, your brightness exceeds that of the sun. 

I see your glory in so many ways, Lord, especially through your saving works. You have saved me not because of anything I have done, but because of your grace, your unearned favor in my life. When I experience your saving grace, I glimpse your glory. 

And when I see your grace poured out in this world, I am drawn to praise you. I simply must praise your glorious grace, lifting up your name with joy even as I bow before you in worship. May the worship I lead be a conscious and obvious response to your grace. May your grace draw the people you’ve entrusted to my care into your glorious presence. 

All praise be to you, O God, for your amazing, marvelous, glorious grace! Amen.