Atonement Series: Grace

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TzFMUazHOU

Today we continue our study on the atonement of Christ and how the account of Lazarus of Bethany demonstrates certain truths of this process. Today we are going to talk about grace, but not in the traditional “unmerited favor” way that we often hear taught. We are going to get at the essence of what grace truly is and how it is distinct from other theological constructs like mercy, for example. I think we often use mercy and grace together and interchangeably sometimes, but they are indeed different. And again, it has greater meaning than unmerited or undeserved favor.

Well, let’s jump right in! We are going to first define what grace is, then we’ll move into how it shows up in the account of Lazarus. So, to ground our understanding as always, we turn to God’s holy Word. The first scripture we will read comes from:

Ephesians 2:8-9: 

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

This is perhaps one of the more seminal passages that grounds our understanding concerning what Christ has done, the role He plays, and the role we play. From this passage, we learn that salvation is a gift from God, not earned by human efforts. Paul tells us that salvation is entirely— and I want to express this… ENTIRELY—a work of God’s favor rather than human achievement. Meaning, we do nothing to contribute to salvation. We’ll talk more about this later; I just wanted to give a brief explanation of this passage.

Now, the second scripture is:

Philippians 2:13: 

“For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Again, here we see the same explanation given: that it is by God’s sovereignty (sovereignty meaning that God does whatever He chooses) that we experience anything at all. More specifically to this passage, we are taught that while believers are called to act in accordance with God’s will, it is God alone who empowers and sustains any efforts we think are our own. It is all God, both generating the desire and the ability for us to respond to Him and live a godly life.

John Calvin articulates it this way:

“The grace of God is the divine favor that He freely bestows upon us, not on account of any merit in ourselves, but solely out of His own benevolence. This grace is the means by which we are regenerated, or born again, and it enables us to live a life that is pleasing to God. It is by grace alone that we are justified, meaning that we are declared righteous before God, and by grace alone that we are sanctified, meaning that we are transformed into the image of Christ. Without this grace, we would be incapable of fulfilling the demands of the law or achieving spiritual renewal. Therefore, grace is not a reward for our efforts but a divine gift that empowers us to live according to God’s will.” 

(Institutes of the Christian Religion Book 3, Chapter 11, Sections 1-2)

So in short, what shall we say grace is? It’s divine assistance—divine assistance specifically for regeneration, sanctification, living out the Christian life, and it is essential for our spiritual transformation and relationship with God. Nothing can happen without grace! Nothing can happen without Divine Assistance. You cannot be saved without God’s divine assistance. You cannot have faith without God’s divine assistance. So, when Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure,” it is literally telling us that it is God’s divine assistance that wills us to Himself for Himself.

Now, let me show you this point by asking one question about Lazarus, maybe two questions.

Question 1: Did Lazarus need divine assistance to get out of his condition?

First, let me say, if you answered no, Lazarus did not need divine assistance, then Lazarus stays dead. So ultimately, the answer is an astounding yes! Yes, Lazarus did need divine assistance! There was no possible way that Lazarus was coming back from the dead. This was also the reason why Jesus waited the additional two days (four total) before He went to Lazarus. He wanted everyone to know that what man cannot do on his own, the only solution is Jesus.

This same question is posed to every one of us. Do we need divine assistance? Ask yourself, “Do I need divine assistance?” Can I save myself from death, both physically and spiritually? How many times have you tried to stop smoking? How many times have you tried to stop watching pornography, fornicating, or engaging in sexual sin? How many times have you tried to leave that adulterous relationship? How many times have you tried to beat depression? How many times have you tried to rid yourself of guilt? How many times have you tried to convince yourself that you are valuable? How many times have you tried to find peace in life? How many times! And if none of this applies to you, how will you escape death and the grave? You need divine assistance?

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

So that’s the first question. I know you’re probably thinking, “There’s another question?” Doesn’t this explain it all! Well, yes, but the second question helps to drive our understanding of grace home.

Question 2: At what point did Lazarus need divine assistance?

Well, let’s think. He died. Sure, he could have used divine assistance then. Now, before he died, he was sick. He could have used divine assistance then to avoid a premature death. But I’m sure he could have used divine assistance to avoid whatever may have caused the sickness. Maybe avoiding something he consumed or was exposed to. Perhaps he got infected with some bacteria. So, at what point would divine assistance have been useful? Let me answer that with a scripture—maybe two, or three, or four.

2 Timothy 1:9 (ESV): 

“Who has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.”

So, at what point did we need divine assistance? Even before time began, it was given to us, and it was given according to God's eternal purpose and plan. He knew all this would happen.

Then we have John 1:16 (ESV): “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” And Hebrews 4:16 (ESV): “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” So, at what point do we need divine assistance? Every day! God’s grace was predestined for us, and it is real-time for us! This way grace is used throughout the entire atonement process. At each point; regeneration, repentance, faith, justification, glorification, the entire process God assists us.

Jesus as Grace

Now here is another observation we gain from Lazarus’ account.

Let’s read John 11:21-27 for reference: 

“Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.’”

It is no coincidence then that once Jesus comes, Lazarus is resurrected. In fact, we are told in Titus 2:11, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.” That appearance of grace is Jesus! Jesus embodied God’s divine assistance. So just as Jesus arrives to save Lazarus, Jesus arrives to save humanity. But it does not stop here.

We also have Hebrews 10:29, which calls the Holy Spirit the “Spirit of grace.” It reads, “How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?” This makes sense since the Holy Spirit is given to us as our helper. So here’s where we land:

Grace is not just a concept. It is not just unmerited favor. It is divine assistance. It is a person. Grace is Jesus. And when He shows up, things that were dead come to life.When He speaks, the grave loses its grip. When He moves, divine assistance meets human impossibility.

Lazarus needed grace before he got sick, while he was sick, and especially after he died. And the same is true for us. We need grace before we fall, while we’re falling, and even when it seems like it’s too late.

And this grace doesn’t just save us once.It saves, it sustains, it sanctifies, and it will glorify.It meets us in weakness.It strengthens us for obedience.And it reminds us that God’s love is not dependent on our performance—but on His eternal purpose.

So today, if you find yourself stuck, struggling, weary, or even spiritually lifeless…Remember Lazarus.Remember that divine assistance is still available, and Jesus is still calling people out of graves.

Let us pray.