Topical Bible: God is Declared to Be: Gracious

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Topical Encyclopedia

The attribute of graciousness is a fundamental aspect of God's character as revealed in the Bible. The term "gracious" refers to God's benevolent, kind, and merciful nature, especially in His dealings with humanity. This characteristic is consistently affirmed throughout Scripture, highlighting God's willingness to extend favor and compassion to His creation.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, God's graciousness is often linked with His covenantal love and mercy. One of the most prominent declarations of God's gracious nature is found in Exodus 34:6, where God reveals Himself to Moses: "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth." This self-revelation underscores God's readiness to forgive and His enduring patience with His people.

The Psalms frequently celebrate God's graciousness. Psalm 86:15 states, "But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth." Similarly, Psalm 103:8 echoes this sentiment: "The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion." These passages emphasize that God's graciousness is an integral part of His divine nature, providing comfort and hope to the faithful.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the graciousness of God is most vividly demonstrated through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of John highlights this in John 1:14, where it is written, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." Jesus embodies God's grace, offering salvation and reconciliation to humanity.

The Apostle Paul frequently speaks of God's grace in his epistles. In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul writes, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." Here, God's graciousness is portrayed as the foundation of salvation, emphasizing that it is a gift freely given, not earned by human effort.

Theological Implications

The graciousness of God has profound theological implications. It assures believers of God's unmerited favor and His desire to bless and sustain them. This attribute of God encourages a response of gratitude, worship, and a call to emulate His graciousness in relationships with others. The recognition of God's grace fosters a spirit of humility, as believers acknowledge their dependence on His mercy and kindness.

Practical Applications

Understanding God's gracious nature invites believers to trust in His goodness and to approach Him with confidence in prayer. Hebrews 4:16 encourages this approach: "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." This assurance of God's graciousness provides comfort and strength in times of trial and uncertainty.

In summary, the Bible consistently declares God to be gracious, revealing His character as one of compassion, mercy, and loving-kindness. This divine attribute is central to the message of Scripture, offering hope and assurance to all who seek Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 34:6
And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 116:5
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yes, our God is merciful.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

God's Character Our Resting-Place
... God has declared himself to be gracious. "God is love." He has embodied
this grace in the person and work of his beloved Son. He ...
/.../bonar/gods way of peace/chapter iii gods character our.htm

"Behold Your God!"
... The exhortations of the prophet to Judah to behold the living God, and to accept
His gracious offers, were not in ... "At that day," declared Isaiah, "shall a ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 26 behold your god.htm

Messiah the Son of God
... of the seed of David, according to the flesh, was declared to be the Son of God
with power ... enquiry and study on our part, as by a gracious manifestation on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxvii messiah the son.htm

A Manifestation of God in Answer to Prayer
... This gracious enablement of the Spirit was obviously one of the times of ... placed on
"Thy word." The Christians wanted to hear God's Word declared with firm ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 7 a manifestation of.htm

A Petulant Wish
... and was like a straw laid across the course of an express train, in so far as its
power to modify the gracious purpose of God already declared was concerned. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a petulant wish.htm

The Canons of Dordt
... 10 The good pleasure of God is the sole cause of this gracious election ... As the doctrine
of divine election by the most wise counsel of God was declared? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the canons of dordt/

How Moses Ascended up to Mount Sinai, and Received Laws from God ...
... lightning, as was terrible to those that saw it; and thunder, with its thunderbolts,
were sent down, and declared God to be there present in a gracious way to ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how moses ascended.htm

The Word of God.
... To the good He speaks with gracious encouragement; to the wicked with ... then, if possible,
than ever, The Word of God: because He then declared most utterly ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xiv the word of.htm

On the Church of God and of Christ: or on the Church in General ...
... The executive cause of this gracious good pleasure of God ... From this, results the
glory of God, who unites the ... and beatifies her, which glory is declared in the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation l on the church.htm

"God with Us"
... of God,"God's thought made audible. In His prayer for His disciples He says, "I
have declared unto them Thy name,"""merciful and gracious, long-suffering ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 1 god with us.htm