Grace
Grace, in Christianity is described as “God’s favour towards those who don’t deserve it” or “God’s kindness towards those who haven’t earned it.” It’s in God’s grace that He’s ready to forgive and bless us, even though we don’t always live in a way that pleases Him.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ( John 1:14 )
No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” ( Acts 15:11 )
It is highlighted as God’s love and grace which is not dependent on our goodness or worthiness but are freely given to us, even when we are in a state of sinfulness.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” ( Romans 5:8 )
Apostle Paul emphasizes that salvation is a result of God’s favour, not something we can earn through our efforts. It’s a gift freely given to us by God.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” ( Ephesians 2: 8-9 )
Our salvation is not based on our righteousness but on God’s mercy and favour towards us.
“he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” ( Titus 3:5 )
In today’s world, when people talk about grace in a secular sense, they’re usually referring to someone’s elegance, beauty in movement, or a pleasing quality they possess. It is also how someone carries themselves, their mannerisms, or even their actions that are seen as attractive or admirable.
Etymology
In Greek, the word commonly translated as “grace” is “χάρις” ( charis ). This term carries connotations of favour, kindness, and goodwill. It denotes an unmerited gift or blessing, freely given out of love or generosity. In the New Testament, “charis” is used extensively to convey the idea of God’s undeserved favor and mercy towards humanity, particularly in the context of salvation through Jesus Christ.
In Hebrew, the word often translated as “grace” is “חן“ (Chen). This term encompasses notions of favour, charm, and beauty. It is used to describe God’s favour towards individuals or His blessings bestowed upon them. Throughout the Old Testament, “Chen” is associated with God’s lovingkindness and compassion towards His people, exemplifying His willingness to extend mercy and forgiveness, even in the face of human frailty.
GRACE : BIBLICAL MEANING
God’s grace grounds and empowers everything in the Christian life. Grace is the basis for:
Our Christian identity
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. ( 2 Corinthians 5:10 )
Our standing before God
“This grace in which we stand.”
through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. ( Romans 5:2 )
Our living
those who receive
For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! ( Romans 5:17 )
These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ( 1 Peter 1:7 )
Our holiness
God“called us to a holy calling … because of his own purpose and favour.”
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his wn purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, ( 2 Timothy 1:9 )
Our strength for living
“Be strengthened by the grace that is in Jesus Christ”
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ( 2 Timothy 2:1 )
for “it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace.”
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. ( Hebrews 13:9 )
Our way of speaking
“Let your speech always be gracious.
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
( Colossians 4:6 )
Our sufficiency
“My grace is sufficient for you.”
“God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” ( 2 Corinthians 2:8 )
Our response to difficulty and suffering
We get a response of His favour when we seek Him.
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive
mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
( Hebrews 4:16 )
and then we receive the blessings of His mercy.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you
have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
( 1 Peter 5:10 )
Our participation in God’s mission
As recipients of grace, we are privileged to serve as agents of His favours. Believers receive grace, are encouraged to continue in g His mercy and thus we are called to be the testimony of God. God’s mission is to save the entire world.
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. ( Acts 20:24 )
Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” ( John 20:21 ).
Our future
God and His mercy, are everlasting.
“Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” ( 1 Peter 1:13 )
Our hope beyond death
“Mercy [reigns] through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” ( Romans 5:21 )
GRACE: GOD’S MERCY IN THE BIBLE
In the Bible,mercy stands as a central pillar of the Christian faith, embodying God’s unearned favour, kindness, and mercy toward humanity. It’s freely given, reflecting His love and assistance, especially in matters of salvation and forgiveness.
Salvation
Mercy is tightly woven with the concept of salvation. According to Christian belief, salvation isn’t something we achieve through our actions; rather, it’s a gift bestowed upon us by God’s mercy alone. It emphasises salvation as a divine gift, not a result of our efforts.
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ( Titus 3: 4-7 )
Forgiveness
Mercy extends to the forgiveness of sins. It showcases God’s readiness to forgive and purify those who turn to Him in repentance, assuring that confessing our sins leads to God’s faithful forgiveness and cleansing.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
( 1 John 1:9 )
Empowerment
Mercy isn’t just about forgiveness; it also empowers believers to live righteous lives. Often termed as “sufficient grace,” it provides strength amid weakness. God assures Paul that His grace is enough, empowering him in his weaknesses.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ( 2 Corinthians 12:9 )
God’s Love and Compassion
Mercy embodies God’s love, mercy, and compassion. It portrays His willingness to embrace humanity despite our flaws and shortcomings. The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. ( Psalm 103: 8-10 )
Means of Access
Mercy serves as the bridge for believers to approach God and cultivate a personal relationship with Him. Also encourages believers to draw near to God’s throne of grace, where they can find mercy and assistance in times of need.
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. ( Hebrews 4:16 )
The Enduring Message of Mercy
In the grand narrative of Christianity, the gospel resonates as a symphony of God’s unmerited favour, epitomized through Jesus Christ. Paul aptly dubs it “the gospel of the mercy of God, a proclamation echoing throughout the ages. At its core, the gospel of the mercy of God encapsulates the essence of humanity’s deepest need and God’s boundless provision. It’s the message that reverberates from the pages of Scripture, culminating in the person of Jesus Christ, the ultimate revelation of God’s mercy. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible unfolds the tapestry of God’s mercy, weaving through stories of redemption, forgiveness, and restoration. And in the final verse of Revelation, the crescendo of this divine melody resounds: “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all” a benediction echoing across eternity.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. ( Revelation 22:21 )
In Jesus Christ, the embodiment of mercy, we encounter the fullness of God’s unmerited favour. Here, grace is depicted not as a limited resource but as an endless outpouring of God’s love and mercy, lavishly bestowed upon humanity.
Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. ( John 1:16 )
The Teachings of Saint Paul
In the teachings of Saint Paul, mercy emerges as the foundational force that propels God’s redemptive plan for humanity. It is the essence that moves God to extend salvation to mankind, all through the person of Jesus Christ, the embodiment of mercy. Throughout his epistles, Paul intricately weaves the theme of grace, highlighting its transformative power in the lives of believers. For Paul, mercy isn’t just a concept; it’s a divine reality that shapes our relationship with God and our journey of faith. Paul underscores that grace flows abundantly through Jesus Christ, leading believers into a new realm of existence marked by God’s unmerited favour and love.
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ( John 1:17 )
This mercy, as depicted in Acts 11 and 13, is what sustains and strengthens believers in their walk with God, enabling them to persevere amidst trials and tribulations.
When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. ( Acts 11:23 )
When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. ( Acts 13:43 )
The universality of God’s mercy, extends salvation to all people, regardless of their background or past sins.
through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. ( Romans 5:2 )
Through mercy, believers are justified and find peace with God, experiencing a profound transformation in their lives.
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ( Titus 2:11 )
Paul humbly acknowledges the role of mercy in his own life, recognizing that it is by God’s grace alone that he can labour effectively in the service of the Gospel.
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. ( 1 Corinthians 15:10 )
Paul highlights his conversion as a testament to the surpassing mercy of God.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. ( 1 Timothy 1:16 )
Paul refers to mercy as “the word of his grace,” emphasizing that mercy is not merely a concept but a living reality, breathed into every facet of creation.
So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. ( Acts 14:3 )
The Transformative Power of the Gospel of Mercy
The gospel of the mercy of God is the timeless message that transcends cultural boundaries, societal norms, and personal limitations. It speaks to the deepest longings of the human heart, offering hope, healing, and salvation to all who embrace it. In a world marked by brokenness and despair, the gospel shines as a beacon of light, illuminating the path to reconciliation with God. It invites us to experience the transformative power of grace, to receive forgiveness for our sins, and to walk in the newness of life.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. ( Ephesians 2: 8-9 )
As we journey through life, may we continually be reminded of the profound truth encapsulated in the gospel of the mercy of God: that through Jesus Christ, we have been recipients of God’s unmerited favour, mercy upon mercy, bestowed upon us out of His infinite love and boundless compassion