How do we distinguish between the Almighty God’s divine grace, divine providence, and divine economy?

He who clings to God and enters into a personal relationship with Him feels that all that occupies God is His beloved human being, whether at the level of the universal Church which extends from Adam and Eve until His second coming, or at the level of every member therein. When a person is in contact with God, he feels — as St. Augustine says — as though God and His beloved Augustine are all that exists.⁵⁵⁴ In the life of the faithful, the feeling becomes clear that God works with them, in them, and for their sake. This divine operation consists of:

Divine grace.

Divine providence.

Divine economy of God the Almighty ( Pantocrator ).

It is difficult to separate these three modes of divine operation from one other. However, we can differentiate somewhat between them as follows:

Divine Grace . John the Evangelist referred to it saying, “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:16–17). In literalism that kills (2 Cor. 3:6) and narrow mindedness, some might think that divine grace does nothing more than bestow on us the ability to behave in moral ways. But those who delight in grace realize that it is a gift from the Father, granted to us by Christ our Savior, through the Holy Spirit, who guides us to enjoy continuous renewal and unceasing progress, rising from glory to glory, tasting the promise of heaven.

Divine Providence . Through our union with the Only-Begotten Son we become children of God the Father in baptism, in our membership in the body of Christ, and in our awareness that we are the holy temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in us (1 Cor. 3:16). The believer feels that he is carried in the everlasting arms and that the forces of darkness cannot trouble his heart. Thus we understand the words of the Evangelist: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name”

552 See Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty, The Divine Grace (Sporting, Alexandria: St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, 1992).

553 Divine economy (Greek oikonomia ) is a theological term referring to God’s plan from before all ages, hidden from humanity but implemented throughout history for the salvation and sanctification of the world, especially through the incarnation of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.

554 Compare St. Augustine of Hippo, Confessions 3.11.19 (FOTC 21:69).

(John 1:12). Paul the Apostle became aware of this gift — this “being the child of God the Father” — when he was liberated from the letter of the Law and delighted in “the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Rom. 8:21).

Divine Economy of God the Almighty ( Pantocrator ) . The Church cherishes this title “ Pantocrator ” or “Ruler of All” who governs all that occurs in the world, whether big or small, through His love, wisdom, and wondrous management that surpasses human thought.