The Favor of God

Have you ever thought about God’s Favor? What does it mean to receive the favor of God? The first mention of such favor in the Bible is the man, Noah. 

Genesis 6:7-8 (NLT) 

7 And the LORD said, “I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing—all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.” 8 But Noah found favor with the LORD. 

How much of this divine favor was due to Noah’s righteous living and how much was due to God’s sovereign choice? Can it be both? Do you think Noah would have received this favor of God if he had led a life of sinful rebellion like the rest of the world? The Bible says that Noah’s righteousness had something to do with God choosing him to receive this divine favor. 

Genesis 6:9 (NLT) 

This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. 

But then I think about the Apostle Paul (Saul). Paul was leading a rebellion against the Church of Jesus Christ when he received God’s divine favor as he encountered the Lord on the Damascus Road. Jesus told Ananias that He had specifically chosen Saul/Paul to be the chosen instrument to bring the gospel to the Gentiles. Surely this calling includes God’s favor. 

Acts 9:15 (NLT) 

But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 

Paul was not intentionally rebelling against God. Yes, he was fighting against the church, but he was doing so in ignorance and unbelief, not willful disobedience. 

1 Timothy 1:12-14 (NLT) 

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, 13 even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. 14 Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus. 

God chose to give Noah favor, and we don’t think about Noah being a rebel like the rest of the world at that time. And then God chose Saul who was leading a rebellion against the early church. Noah was a righteous man, and Saul was also righteous according to the Law of Moses, but unrighteous regarding the message of Jesus Christ. Unrighteous because of ignorance and unbelief. 

Were there others? Others who received the favor of God? Yes, there was Abraham, Moses, David and Mary. The Bible specifically says all of these received the favor of God. In all these names, can you find one that received the favor of God while living in willful disobedience and rebellion against God? No! 

I don’t deny or question the sovereignty of God to give his divine favor to whomever He chooses. But I also believe we bear the personal responsibility to live a righteous life before God. Can’t there be both? 

All of that background to bring up the angelic announcement to the shepherds and to the world at the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem some 2,000 years ago. I will list 4 different English translations of this same verse from the Gospel of Luke. 

Luke 2:14 (NLT) 

14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” 

Luke 2:14 (NIV) 

14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." 

Luke 2:14 (NASB) 

14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." 

Luke 2:14 (KJV) 

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 

The angels are announcing peace on earth and peace with God in this Luke 2 scene. Peace on earth because the Savior of the world was born in Bethlehem. To whom will this peace be given? To whom will the favor of God rest on the last day? Does it matter? On the last day will anything else really matter compared to this peace and favor of God? 

The offer of God’s grace is the offer of God’s favor. God’s grace is God’s undeserved favor. Yes, God’s sovereignty offers mankind peace and favor, but we all will bear personal responsibility before God about how we lived our lives on earth. 

We must receive God’s favor by placing our faith in God’s Son-Jesus. Noah believed and it changed the way he lived. Abaham believed, Moses, David and Mary believed and it changed the way they lived. The favor of God set them apart from the unbelieving world. 

When is the right time to receive God’s favor? Today is the day to receive the favor of God. 

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (NIV) 

As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 

2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. 

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen, 

Terry Cooper 

Lead Minister