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GOD'S GRACE. We've all heard the word. It has different meanings depending on usage. Most of us have probably used it. But grace, as an act of God toward sinful humanity, becomes an incredibly wonderful and amazing truth. In reading God's Word, by the time we get to just the 6th chapter of Genesis, man rebellion had reached the summit of wickedness. It was so extreme that God said of mankind, 'every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.' (6:56). This was roughly only 1,500 years after Creation. With the longer lifespans, there were likely millions of people on earth. Yet, God said, 'I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth' (6:7). You might be thinking, 'None of this sounds like grace.' Well, what should we call the fact that a perfectly holy Creator allowed anyone to continue living when they were so depraved and rebellious? In the midst of all of this bad news for humanity, there was one bright light. His name was Noah. This is the man of whom we're told he 'found grace in the eyes of the LORD' (6:8). Noah experienced God's grace— His undeserved blessing, favor, and kindness. God's grace is certainly undeserved, yet there was a reason God poured out His grace on this man. In fact, God's own testimony is this: 'Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God' (6:9). The Apostle Peter said of Noah that he was 'a preacher of righteousness' (2 Peter 2:5). Noah preached to the millions in his generation for 100 years, yet they persisted in rejecting God and His warning. That's grace! Even more so, God's grace is toward our generation. We have God's Word. We know Jesus has died, was buried, and resurrected thus conquering death. And He's promised salvation to all who trust Him. Yet man still rebels. Though some trust Christ. What grace!
