But Noah found grace, in the eyes of the Lord

(Gen. 6:5).  This Follows the pronouncement that every intent of the thoughts of man's heart was evil, and that God had determined to send the flood. God was grieved in His heart (verses 6,7), but Noah found Grace “in the eyes of the Lord.”  Noah  was righteous before God “in this generation” (7:1). Hebrews clarifies what God is saying here. We read “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household .... and inherited the righteousness which is according to faith” (Hebrews 11:7).

The heroes of the faith were not perfect. King David was a murder and an adulterer, Noah was something of a drunkard (Genesis 9:4). But when we confess and forsake our sins, we are forgiven, and God chooses to remember them no more.  In this way we are perfect “in the eyes of the Lord” (Proverbs 28:13; Hebrews 8:12). Noah not only inherited the righteousness of faith (Philippians 3:9), he also inherited salvation by grace (see Ephesians 2:8).

In fact we see here in Genesis all the ingredients of a balanced Biblical view of salvation by grace. Grace is God's undeserved,   unearned favour.  It's not however, as some have perverted it,  permission to live ungodly lives,  to do exactly what the sinful nature wants to do.  Let's look first at Ephesians 2:8-10. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  Paul is saying on the one hand that we cannot earn salvation. It's a gift,  and you don't earn a gift. On the other hand there are things that we need to do, not to earn salvation,  but embrace the new life in Christ. 


Paul again tells us that the righteous requirement of the law is  fulfilled in those who do not walk according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:4). And we read “Noah walked with God” (6:9).  Paul again “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel, ..... according to the commandment .... unto the obedience of faith” (Romans 16:25, 26). In Genesis 6:2  we read of Noah's obedience,  that he  “ did everything just as God commanded him” (see also Hebrews 11:7).


Dietrich Bonhoeffer called the attitude that refuses to obey,  that does not work out our sanctification with fear and trembling  “cheap grace” (see Philippians 2:12).  Such grace is not grace at all! It's presumption, and  there are warnings in scripture about willful presumption (i.e. Hebrews 10:26).   Bonhoeffer wrote that cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without living for Jesus Christ.  Above all grace is “costly because it cost God the life of his Son.” Costly grace is taking up our own cross daily,  and following Him (Luke 9:23).

Lord Jesus Christ, God forbid that I should cheapen Your incredibly costly sacrifice by refusing to obey,  or to walk in the Spirit.  I need Your help Lord,  because the spirit is willing,  but the flesh is weak (Mark 14:38).  Thank You Lord,  that Your grace is sufficient for me,  and that Your strength is made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). For this and many other things,  I give You thanks and praise,  in Your precious Name Amen