WHAT IS GRACE: The Truth About Grace

What is grace? What is the meaning of grace? Why is the grace of God important? What must we do to obtain grace from God? John MacArthur attempts to explain grace in The Truth About Grace.

THE DEFINITION OF GRACE

The Truth About Grace begins with the question, "What is grace?" The author admits in the opening sentence of the book that defining grace succinctly, or concisely is difficult. Many have tried and continue to try defining the grace of God. It is not that the definition of grace is elusive. It is that the human mind has difficulty understanding the concept that a sovereign entity would give all as a gift.

John MacArthur goes into great depth explaining the meaning of grace. He talks about receiving grace, both common grace and sovereign grace. He discusses how the purpose for the grace of God is misunderstood. He speaks to why we should live out grace in our lives.

THE DEEP GRACE OF GOD

I like the format of this book. I like how each point is presented chapter by chapter. The author laces the necessity of grace of God as the underlying concept of the book from the opening definition of grace to our living out grace. The Truth About Grace deals with a difficult subject for the natural human mind to comprehend and John MacArthur generously uses Scripture to convey the truth and the meaning of grace.

To know the grace of God is to experience the grace of God. The more I come to understand what true grace is, the more I fall in love with Jesus Christ. The more I love Jesus the more I understand about the true meaning of grace. The more I understand about grace of God, the more I will live out his grace in my walk with Christ. This is my take away from the The Truth About Grace.

HUNGRY FOR GRACE

If I have any disappointments with the book it is that I had to read it through twice to really get a mental grip on what the author is trying to say. I had to let it "stew" for awhile and then read it again.

I believe The Truth About Grace is well-written but I do not think it is a book for a brand new believer. I will recommend this book to the ones who are walking with Christ and regularly engage in deep study of Biblical truth.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

God's Great Mercy

"O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies (Da. 9:18 NKJV)."

I had the privilege to sit at the table, across from a young man and his wife. They were transients, homeless, passing through. They were taking advantage of a free, warm meal. They shared their story with me as they were eating.


The young couple were recently homeless and living in their car. At this point, they hadn't had a shower in a week. They didn't have any food. What money they had, or get, goes into the gas tank of the car. I couldn't help but see the look of sheer panic in their eyes as I listened to them.


Another worker and myself found them a place where they could shower. Through careful questioning, I learned they possessed a little single-burner campstove on which they could cook. We made sure they ate till they were filled. We supplied them with about a weeks worth of food.

With the shelters in our area are already at capacity, we set about finding them a place where they could park their car and not worry about having to drive from parking lot to parking lot every couple of hours. They then left our facility to face a life of uncertainty and struggle.


I will never forget the look in the eyes of that young couple for as long as I live. The eyes of sheer despair pierced deep into my core. I was instantly reminded of the verse, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels (Heb. 13:2 NKJV)."


The couple could have been angels. No matter, they were homeless, scared, and in desperate need of assistance. They are now gone. It's not likely we'll ever see them again. I can only pray I gave them nearly as much as they gave me.


You might be asking how a homeless couple could give anything? Their situation and story so moved me to my core that I couldn't help but think of my own circumstances. They gave me this truth; I am blessed. It's only by the grace and mercy of God that their situation isn't my situation.


It is precisely what this couple gave me that leads me to this prayer of Daniel 9:18 today. I am blessed, not because of any righteous deeds I have done. I am blessed because God is merciful. I am blessed because God is gracious. I don't pray to God because of anything good that I do. I pray because God is grace and mercy.


I offer prayer today for the young couple. I thank God for bringing them to my table. They have taught me a tremendous truth. By the grace and mercy of God I am blessed. By the grace and mercy of God I have redemption through the blood of the Lamb. By the grace and mercy of God I will one day rise and be transformed into His eternal likeness. God bless...


Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.