Common Grace

When someone refers to God’s common grace, they are referring to instances of non-salvic grace which is common to all mankind; grace being defined as blessing which is undeserved. This is opposed to mercy, which may or may not be merited. Common grace can be separated into two distinct categories; that which God initiates and that which God designed.

GOD’S DIVINE INITIATIVE

God’s initiative is referring to the things which God chooses to act upon. Answer to prayer is something which God chooses to act upon. Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5.44,45). God isn’t just working in the lives of believers. As believers pray for non-believers and even as non-believers pray, God often will choose to work in their lives as well. This sort of grace is non-salvic, but can lead to salvation.

Addiction recovery is another example of common grace which is initiated by God. Often in the midst of addiction, people will use God’s strength to pull themselves out of addiction. Addiction is idolatry because it becomes the focus of life and removes focus from God. God is willing to pull man out of addiction if they are willing to embrace salvation through Jesus Christ. Paul wrote, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5.18). Where this is a command, it still shows us that God’s common grace can be used by any addict to focus them on God. This is an example of common grace leading to eternal grace.

GOD’S DIVINE DESIGN

The earth and everything in it was designed for the good of man. This is the most basic and generic definition of common grace; that we can enjoy all aspects of creation because God designed it for us. In fact we—mankind as a whole—have been commanded to, “fill the earth and subdue it” and “Rule over” it (Genesis 1.28). It was all given to us, regardless of God’s foreknowledge of sin.

One element of designed common grace is medicine. Most medical advancement does not come as a result of God’s intervention; rather the earth was created in such a way, that man is able to continue to learn about it, subdue it in new ways and continue to rule over it. The practice of medicine benefits the whole of mankind and is considered to be common grace because this grace is non-salvic, unable to provide eternal salvation.

The distinguishing quality of common grace is that it is temporary. Common grace only occurs on earth and has no eternal quality. Whether by design or by God’s initiative, common grace can lead man to the grace which is eternal and is found by choosing Christ alone.

Image Credits: idyguy, sxc.hu