God's favor is a profound gift that works within each of us, the elect of Jesus Christ, as we strive to live in harmony with Him, following His supreme example of self-sacrifice. He counts on us to fulfill our roles with an awareness of His favor, constantly active in our lives, as we approach sacred times like Passover. His favor makes us uniquely special to Him, uniting us as one body through Jesus Christ, with His grace dwelling in each of us. Through His favor, He patiently brings men of faith into His purpose, making our entrance into His Family a distinct possibility as we faithfully use His grace to become preachers of righteousness in word and deed, just as Noah did in a time opposed to God's grace. His favor is evident in His meticulous work from beginning to end, guiding us toward repentance, salvation, and knowledge of the truth through the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His favor also protected individuals like Enoch, who walked with Him and was taken away, possibly to shield him from harm in a world overwhelmed by evil, reflecting His long and patient strategy. In Noah's time, His favor provided the tools needed to build the ark, preserving the line of men despite widespread wickedness, as He continued His plan toward merciful redemption. His favor looked upon Noah, who faithfully lived and learned His way, setting him apart in his generations. Through His favor, we too become part of His living witness of faith, trusting in the hope before us through the merciful and complete work of Jesus Christ.

God's favor is a vital aspect of the relationship between Him and those who seek Him with a humble and contrite spirit. In Genesis 18:3, the Hebrew word "khane," translated as favor, signifies kindness or beauty, reflecting a disposition of favorable action toward the recipient. This favor often comes as a response to an action or condition, as seen in the lives of individuals like Noah, who found favor in the sight of the Lord. The more one leans on Him and the truth of His Word, rather than limited human understanding, the more likely He will grant His favor, shaping a way of thinking aligned with His own, a witness to His righteousness and way of life. God's strong desire is to grant His favor to those who embody the humble attitude of the publican, demonstrating a teachable and child-like spirit. This favor is not merely a gift but a call to live as He lives, with outgoing concern and sacrificial service to both God and man. Among the humbly upright, who walk reverently and worshipfully fearing the Lord, there is comprehensive insight into His ways and purposes, accompanied by His favor. As part of the journey toward the Feast of Firstfruits, maintaining this first love relationship with Him ensures growth in His favor, ultimately shown through the fruit of sacrificial service mirroring that of the Father and the Son.

God's grace, mercy, and favor toward the called are an overwhelming privilege, but that privilege is a God-given responsibility that demands greater accountability ("to whom much is given, much is required"), not a badge of superiority. Using the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14, the source warns that those who possess God's favor can slide into the Pharisee's pride, comparing themselves against outsiders who have not yet been given the same opportunity, even while saying "There but for the grace of God go I." The right posture is that of the one who beats his breast in repentance and contrition, which in Greek signals repentance. Isaiah 66:2 and 57:15 show God looks on the poor and contrite in spirit, and I Peter 5:5 says He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. God's favor is given for His purpose: to be used humbly in a small part of His work to eventually bring all to repentance, salvation, and knowledge of the truth (II Peter 3:9; I Timothy 2:1-6). The called were chosen from the weak and foolish so that no flesh may glory in His presence (I Corinthians 1). Those who keep this humble attitude can rest in Romans 8's assurance that nothing can separate them from God's love.

God's grace, mercy, and favor are a privileged responsibility given to the called, not a badge of righteousness or a reason for Pharisaical pride. Because the grace of God literally resides in each of the elect through Jesus Christ, they are to cooperate with Him and not receive it "in vain" (II Corinthians 6:1-2) by neglectful drifting. Grace is not a way to God but a way of living that comes from God, so that His Spirit of grace produces the fruit of righteousness and good works in them. Satan has long sought to distort this simple truth, as with Eve, and men have turned grace into an excuse for "anything goes" or "once saved, always saved." Hebrews 10:28-29 warns that trampling the Son of God underfoot and insulting the Spirit of grace brings far worse punishment. The elect are meant to live as God lives, shining as light in a darkening world and acting as preachers of righteousness in word and deed, as Noah did. This favor was made possible only by the enormous cost of the Father's and the Son's sacrifice, and Romans 8 shows its result: those in whom God's Spirit dwells are freed from condemnation, led by the Spirit as sons, and made heirs with Christ.

God's favor is an expression of His sovereignty, shown in grace that is given freely to the undeserving and cannot be earned or demanded. Grace is the antithesis of justice, which gives each his due, and it reigns supreme over law, sin, and death (Romans 5:20-21). Because salvation is by grace, even the greatest sinner is within reach of His mercy, and all boasting is excluded. God does not love everyone equally. He chose Jacob and passed over Esau before either had done anything good or evil, so that His purpose according to election would stand "not of works but of Him who calls" (Romans 9:10-13). He set His love on Israel not because of their number, for they were the least of peoples, but because He loved them (Deuteronomy 7:7-8). He delights in pouring spiritual blessing on the weak and lowly, the "worms" and "dust" He makes into holy instruments (1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Isaiah 41:8-14). Likewise, according to Ephesians 1:3-6, believers were predestined "according to the good pleasure of His will," not because of any foreseen quality, ethnicity, intelligence, or ability. The parable of the laborers in the vineyard shows His right to give as He pleases (Matthew 20). Receiving His favor is both humbling and an awesome privilege, and it calls for trust rather than murmuring when His choices seem mystifying.