"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich" (2 Cor. 8:9). We often discuss the grace of God in connection with our salvation but many fail to consider the grace of Christ without which it would not have been made possible. Consider with me some of the ways in which his grace is shown for us.

His grace is manifest in his condescension. Before coming into the world Christ lived in heaven with the Father holding a place of honor and glory. "Who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men" (Phil. 2:6-7). The Hebrew writer reminds us that he was made lower than angels and that since the children that were given him were flesh and blood, he partook of the same (Heb. 2:9, 13-14). Condescending to our level was not a role forced upon him, but one that he by his grace accepted that we might be saved.

Having condescended to our level, he was tempted "like as we are, yet without sin" (Heb. 4:15). Being human and (subject to the same temptations as we, he could have yielded and sinned but had he done so, he could not have been our Savior. His subjection to the same temptations as fare we makes him "able to succor them that are tempted" (Heb. 2:18) and makes possible his being "touched with the feeling of our infirmities" (Heb. 4:15). Truly, his sinless life by which we are saved (Rom. 5:10) manifests his grace for 'us.

His sacrificial death is another manifestation of his grace. The Hebrew writer said that he was made lower than the angels for the suffering of death "that by the grace of God he should taste of death for every man" (Heb. 2:9). Lest one conclude that this only reflects the grace of God for us, Allow me to remind you That it is Christ of whom it is said, "who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb. 12:2). He died for us, not because he was compelled to do so, but by his grace he did it that we might be saved.

Paul told Titus that the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared unto all men, teaching us how to live (Tit. 2:1112). The grace of God that does this must be the gospel which is for all (Mk. 16:15) and which is the power by which we are saved (Rom. 1:16). However, the very heart of this gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-4), thus they also are a manifestation of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace is the theme of inspiration's record of our salvation, the grace of God (Eph. 2:8) and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 8:9).

Truth Magazine, XVIII:14, p. 11
February 7, 1974