Grace is unmerited favor: to get something that you do not deserve. Humility is a sure way to obtain the grace of God but pride will interfere and hinder God’s dispensation. Consider the character of Noah, Moses, Joseph, Joshua, Mary, and Esther. At some point, humility reigned in the hearts of these believers.
“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’” James 4:6 (NKJV)
During the times of Noah, the book of Genesis reports God was, “sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.”  Wickedness was everywhere, yet Noah was still able to walk with God. He chose to live a righteous life. In spite of his community, living beside evil neighbors and all kinds of debauchery, Noah strove to be just. God considered him perfect in his generations.
Noah was shown grace. He and his family survived the great flood. His obedient and constant faith produced an ark though it took between 50-75 years to build and his community most certainly ridiculed his effort. It provided safety from deadly waters. But since grace is a gift, freely given, Noah did not earn God’s favor. Rather, his effort to live with integrity got the Father’s attention.
“Grace, then, is grace, – that is to say, it is sovereign, it is free, it is sure, it is unconditional, and it is everlasting.” ~ Alexander Whyte
Lot, Abram’s nephew, was another man who tried to live righteously among the corrupted morals of Sodom. But because of an outcry against the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah, God sent angels to investigate and destroy the entire city. Thanks to the prayers and intervention of his uncle, God provided His grace and delivered Lot, his wife, and two daughters. Unfortunately, Lot’s wife died when she looked back in longing for Sodom, which had corrupted her heart. Lot did not earn the grace, it was unmerited favor from God.
As America removes God from schools, government, and every day life, our present days are becoming darker and darker The blatant disrespect of God’s living Word and the blood sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ have corrupted many hearts. Mankind lives for self and not for the love of others. Just as in the days of Noah, evil intent and wickedness is busy in the hearts of mankind. Imagine a snowball rolling down a hill, sinfulness is growing bigger and faster in our land. But, there is always hope.
With eyes looking up, focused on our eternal home, we can live in righteousness, thanks to the grace of God. The moment we accepted Christ as our Savior, we became a new creation. Called to die to self and set aside our old nature, we have been commanded to live in holiness.
“That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24 (NKJV)
“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, a sin your ignorance;  but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16 (NKJV)
Just as Noah and Lot were able to forsake the norm and strive for righteous, we can tool Living in a fallen world is very challenging, but His grace is sufficient. His favor enables man to resist temptation and sin. May the grace of God be with you always.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 (NKJV)
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“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)
“Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (NKJV)
(“John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, ‘This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’) Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.  For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:15-17 (NIV)
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23-24 (NIV)
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