Common Grace and Saving Grace

About a week or so after the beaches in southern California were opened up, my wife and I enjoyed a few hours being at the beach. We walked for a little while on the sand enjoying the fact we could once again be at the beach. We then sat down and had a tasty lunch. It was very nice to be at the ocean and watch all the children play in the water and just thoroughly enjoying the day.

All of the people there were experiencing God’s common grace. That refers to God’s goodness, love and mercy to everyone without any regard to their age, gender, ethnicity, economic status or any other distinctions. Those who have put their faith in Jesus and those who want nothing to do with God are recipients of His common grace; it is for all of mankind to enjoy without exception. The last part of Matt 5:45 says, “for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” A person who is apart from God can enjoy the cool ocean breezes and the warmth of the sand on his feet and a beautiful sunset. God in His goodness and love wants them to experience that as His creation points to the Creator. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the

firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto light reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.” (Ps 19:1-3) God is putting His glory, beauty and majesty on display through His creation as a declaration of Himself. That is why everyone stops at the beach to watch a sunset because they are all aware in the core of their being that there is a Creator. Creation screams of the glory and majesty of God.

However, for those of us who have put their trust in Jesus as their Savior, we can experience all of His common grace in His creation on a much deeper level. We not only experience His common grace but we now have a true saving grace. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph 2:8-9) As we look at a star-studded night or watch a gorgeous sunset at the beach, we know the Creator personally. We have an intimacy with the One who spoke this world of splendor and beauty into existence. We acknowledge Him and give Him thanks for His wonderful creation and we pray for those who may only see a Creator and not a Savior. We do not have a oneness with creation but we have a personal relationship with the Creator through faith in Jesus.