The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer
Week 17: Chapter 17 — The Grace of God
Read Chapter 17: The Grace of God of The Knowledge of the Holy. Key passage: Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:20-21.
Previewing Week 17 of The Knowledge of the Holy
Read 3 of 7 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 24-week guide when you’re ready.
Mercy is God's response to our misery; grace is His response to our unworthiness. Tozer explores the distinction and shows why grace is the heartbeat of the gospel.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Tozer draws a careful distinction between mercy and grace: mercy withholds deserved punishment; grace bestows undeserved blessing. In your own experience, which of these feels more difficult to fully receive and believe?
2.He insists that grace is not just God's attitude but His active movement toward unworthy people — that it is always grace that initiates, seeks, and enables. How does this challenge any notion that we contributed something to our own salvation?
3.Tozer reflects on the phrase "where sin increased, grace abounded all the more" (Romans 5:20) and immediately addresses the obvious concern: does this mean sin doesn't matter? How does he handle this, and how would you explain to a skeptic why abounding grace does not make sin irrelevant?