Can I Ask That? – Part Seventeen – What is Prevenient Grace?
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy%202%3A3-6&version=NLT
This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time – Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.
Paul says that if anyone wants to be saved, they need to understand something very important, there is only one way for that to happen, through Jesus. Now, some of you my already be hyperventilating and breaking out in nervous hives, because you are picturing aboriginals and non-religious people are ignorant of the gospel being thrown into hell because they do not have the information we have about Jesus. So, let me just say, God is not playing a game and salvation is not like the ultimate, cosmic game show, where you have to guess the right answer at the end of the show. Unlike that scenario, God has done everything necessary for everyone to know and respond to the grace of God at work in our lives.
I want to also remind you that the Biblical story is not about our desperate search for God. It is about God’s search for us. And, I want to read the next part of our passage, where it says that at just the right time, God gave us the answer to the question. What does that mean, it means that God has done, is doing, and will do every thing necessary for our salvation, short of making the choice for us.
In fact, long before you were even aware of it, God was at work in your life, preparing the way for you to come to him. That idea is what we are talking about when we talk about prevenient grace. Prevenient grace is the way God takes the initiative in our lives. It is the work that he does to prepare us for himself. And, I just want to give some illustrations, paired with scripture, to help you get a better understanding of prevenient grace.
1. Parents and a Brand New Child
When parents are expecting a new child, they begin preparing a nursery for a child before the child is born or adopted, out of love and anticipation of what that child will need in order to live in their home. A good parent already loves that child and anticipates the needs of that child before they have even seen each other.
Scripture:
- “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
- God’s love and grace begin working to prepare a place for us long before we are aware of him, just as a parent loves and prepares for their child before birth or adoption.
2. The Lighthouse in the Storm
A lighthouse shines through a storm, offering guidance to sailors who might otherwise sail off course into dangerous waters. Prevenient grace is at work in our lives to prevent the soul for going shipwreck.
Scripture:
- “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)
- Jesus, the Light of God, shines his prevenient grace to guide us toward the safety of his loving arms, even when we’re lost in the storms of life.
3. A Letter in the Mailbox
Illustration: Have you ever been the recipient of a thoughtful letter or package that arrived unexpectedly, sent by someone who knew what you need before you asked?
Scripture:
- “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:8)
- God’s prevenient grace is God’s loving provision, reaching us before we even know we need him.
4. A Safety Net on a Walk
A safety net is placed under a tightrope walker, offering protection to them in the event of that they fall. And, at some pint, especially in the beginning when they are learning the art, all tight rope walkers will experience a fall.
Scripture:
- “The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” (Deuteronomy 33:27)
- God’s prevenient grace is the “everlasting arms” beneath us, holding us up and protecting us, even when we not aware of it. He catches us when we fall, so that we may not slip into an eternity without him.
5. A Gardener Tending the Soil
A gardener prepares the soil, ensuring it’s ready to nurture seeds when they’re planted.
Scripture:
- “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” (1 Corinthians 3:6)
- God’s prevenient grace prepares the “soil” of our hearts, making us ready to receive the seeds of his Word.
These scriptures beautifully reflect the idea of prevenient grace as God’s initiative in reaching us and preparing the way for His transforming love.
Isaiah 65:24
“Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.”
This verse illustrates God’s prevenient grace and His readiness to act on our behalf, even before we fully recognize our need for Him. It highlights His intimate knowledge of us and His loving initiative.