Text: Genesis 6:5-9
One of the more well-known events in the Bible was that of Noah and the flood. This account teaches us about the grace of God. In this lesson, we are going to see what this account tells us about this gift of God and what is connected with it.
Grace Is Available in a Wicked World
- “Wickedness of man was great” (Genesis 6:5) – “every intent…only evil continually“; even worse than today
- God’s plan was to wipe out mankind (Genesis 6:7) – yet “Noah found favor” (Genesis 6:8)
- Even when one is surrounded by evil and judgment is coming, salvation is available (1 Peter 3:20) – at the same time, it is limited; not all will be saved; “few” (1 Peter 3:20; cf. Titus 2:11; Matthew 7:13-14)
Grace Includes God’s Instructions
- When God told Noah about the flood, He gave instructions for building the ark (Genesis 6:13-16; cf. Titus 2:12)
- Noah prepared the ark “in reverence” (Hebrews 11:7) – respect for God
- Noah was also “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5) – tried to persuade others to follow the Lord
Grace Still Requires Obedience
- Noah was different from the world around him (Genesis 6:9) – righteous, blameless, walked with God
- Noah also had to act by faith and build the ark (Hebrews 11:7)
- Noah did all that God commanded (Genesis 6:22; 7:5) – after he obeyed, God secured them from the flood (Genesis 7:16)
Grace and Patience Are Connected
- God was patient as Noah built the ark (1 Peter 3:20) – He waited a total of 120 years (Genesis 6:3), though not all of that was while the ark was being built
- Yet despite God’s patience, the flood eventually came (2 Peter 2:5)
- God’s plan was to punish wickedness (Genesis 6:7) – He allowed the righteous to be saved, not the wicked to escape
What Does This Mean for Us?
- If grace is available in a wicked world, then we must not lose hope (Philippians 2:15-16; 3:20-21)
- If grace includes God’s instructions, then we need to focus on His word and point others to it (Acts 20:24, 27, 35)
- If grace still requires obedience, then we need to meet God’s conditions for salvation (Hebrews 5:9; 1 Peter 3:21)
- If grace and patience are connected, then we need to prepare while we have time (2 Peter 3:9-15)
Conclusion
- “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8) – judgment was coming; so was salvation
- Despite the wickedness that abounds today, God has extended His grace and is patiently waiting
- Yet if we want to take advantage of His grace, we need to accept His instructions and obey Him
