UNMERITED FAVOR THROUGHOUT THE AGES

When teaching a class on Biblical Prophecy, I always begin by showing how Dispensationalism is the foundation for a believer "rightly dividing the Word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15).  God's way of dealing with mankind has changed six times, with each change being a new level of "light," over which believers are commanded to be "...good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Pet. 4:10).  Notice Peter emphasized that God's revealed "light" was, in fact, the "grace of God!"  Bible student have little difficulty comprehending that the six dispensation, the Church Age, is an age of grace, but few recognize all seven dispensations are "ages of grace."  Clearly, Adam and Eve received their lives and their environment by grace (unmerited favor).  But consider these verses from various dispensations:

Gen. 6:8 - "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD."

Gen. 18:3 - Abraham said, "...My Lord, if now I have found favor in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant" (the Hebrew חֵן (chen), which is translated "grace" 38 times and "favor" 26 times).

Zech. 12:10 - "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him...."

Acts 2:47 - "Praising God, and having favor (the Greek χάρις (charis), which is translated "favor" 6 times, and "grace" 130 times!) with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

1 Th. 5:28 - "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you (the Church). Amen."

Rev. 22:21 - "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

Salvation, therefore, has always been based upon the grace of God, rather than on the works of man.  Abraham believed God and it was accounted unto him for righteousness (Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6; Jam. 2:23)!  Today, in this the Church Age, we simply must believe that Jesus "died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Cor. 15:3-4).  When we believe that, we will call upon Him to save us, that is, to be our Lord (Rom. 10:9-13)!

Time is short!  Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior NOW!