Category: Theology 101
Communicable Attributes
C. Goodness, Love, Grace, Mercy.
“The lovingkindness of God endures all day long.”
God is good. In fact, Jesus once made the comment that only God is good. But what is goodness? Well…it’s the opposite of bad. But this doesn’t help. We seem to have an intuitive understanding of what good is; yet it eludes precise definition (at least from this author). Love, grace and mercy seem to capture aspects of God’s goodness.
Historically, three aspects of God’s love have been distinguished. 'Benevolence' is the good will of God toward His creatures. God’s is lovingly disposed toward the things He made. 'Beneficence' is the good work that God does for His creatures. God not only wills good toward His creatures, but He works in their behalf as well. The third aspect is 'complacency'. In common usage, complacency is something to be avoided, for it connotes a smug self-satisfaction or a resting on one’s laurels. However, at its root complacency communicates the idea of being pleased. God derives pleasure from His creatures, and He loves to delight in His own will and work which have been manifested in them.
God’s goodness is expressed by His grace. Grace is frequently defined as unmerited favor. Also, grace is divided into two classes—common grace and special grace. Common grace is the gratuitous blessing that God gives to men in general. He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good. All men who are living experience the grace of God in some measure. Special grace is the favor given only to the elect. Election itself is special grace. Upon the specially chosen ones God grants regeneration, faith, forgiveness of sins, the Holy Spirit, sanctification, and the hope of eternal life.
Closely related to grace is the mercy of God. God shows His goodness by pitying man and considering his weak and sinful state. Without obligation to do so, God is longsuffering and patient with sinful men. He withholds (at least for a time) the just deserts merited by rebellious creatures.
We must hasten to add at this point that God’s grace and mercy are gifts. He is not required to grant either. Verily, by definition they are free gifts, and as such they are not merited or earned by creatures. God sovereignly chooses where, when, and on whom He will be gracious and merciful. Therefore, if you have received the gift of faith (i.e. you believe the gospel) you should live your life in perpetual gratitude for His goodness, love, grace, and mercy. You don't deserve any of them.