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after the fall. Logical priority should be ascribed to special grace, however, because common
grace is made subservient to this in its operation in the world.
3. DOES COMMON GRACE SERVE AN INDEPENDENT PURPOSE OR NOT?
It cannot be doubted
that common grace finds its purpose in part in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ; it is
subservient to the execution of the plan of God in the life of the elect and in the development
of the Church. But in addition to that it also serves an independent purpose, namely, to bring to
light and to harness for the service of man the hidden forces of nature, and to develop the
powers and talents that are latent in the human race, in order that man may ever-increasingly
exercise dominion over the lower creation, to the glory of God the Creator.[Cf. Kuyper,
Gemeene Gratie II, pp. 622,628,633; Bavinck, De Algemeene Genade, p. 45.]
4. DO SPECIAL AND COMMON GRACE EACH HAVE A PECULIAR SPHERE ENTIRELY DISTINCT
FROM THAT OF THE OTHER?
It may be said that in a certain sense special grace has its own
peculiar sphere in the organized Church, though it is not necessarily limited to this, and
common grace is also operative in the Church for it is granted to all men. Both operate in the
world, but while common grace in the more usual sense of the term pertains to the things of
the natural world and this present life, special grace bears on the things of the new creation.
They cannot but influence each other. Common grace enriches the Church with its blessings;
and the Church raises the fruits of common grace to a higher level by bringing them under the
influence of the regenerate life.
E. THE MEANS BY WHICH COMMON GRACE OPERATES.
Several means can be distinguished by which common grace effects its work. Calvin suggests
some of these when he, in speaking of the restraining influence of common grace says: “Hence,
how much soever men may disguise their impurity, some are restrained only by shame, others
by fear of the laws, from breaking out into many kinds of wickedness. Some aspire to an honest
life, as deeming it most conducive to their interest, while others are raised above the vulgar lot,
that, by the dignity of their station, they may keep inferiors to their duty. Thus God by his
providence, curbs the perverseness of nature, preventing it from breaking forth into action, yet
without rendering it inwardly pure.”[Inst. II. 3,3.] The following are some of the most important
means through which common grace effects its work.
1. THE LIGHT OF GOD’S REVELATION.
This is fundamental for without it all other means would
be impossible, and even if possible, would fail to function properly. We have in mind here
primarily the light of God’s revelation that shines in nature and lightens every man coming into
the world. It is itself the fruit of common grace, but in turn becomes a means for the further
manifestation of it, since it serves to guide the conscience of the natural man. Paul speaks of