What Is Grace?

Is grace really unmerited favor?

Let's look at what the scriptures tell us.

James 4:6 tells us:

"But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

So we learn that humility is a prerequisite to receiving the grace of God, and grace is something that God gives, so what is grace?

The Greek word for grace used in the New Testament scriptures is 'Charis' which means:

1. Grace

    A. That which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech

2. Good will, loving-kindness, favour

    A. Of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues.

3. What is due to grace

   A. The spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace

   B. The token or proof of grace, benefit

         I. A gift of grace

        II. Benefit, bounty

4. Thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward

Strong’s Definitions

χάρις cháris, khar'-ece; from G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude):—acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy).

Grace is more of God's essence, His presence in the soul and upon the spirit of those who obey Him, follow Jesus and walk closely with Him. It's like the more you're with God, the more you grow in Him, the more you meditate on His word, the more you grow in grace and knowledge. The more you become like Him and God rubs off on you!

1st Corinthians 15:33

"Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

The word tells us evil company corrupts good habits or good manners/character, so walking with God does the exact opposite. Being with Him and receiving His grace in our souls, changes our corrupt nature and bad characteristics into His divine nature and goodness, we become holy and righteous!

Jesus was full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

So grace is something you can be full of, and your heart can be established or built up with grace.

Hebrews 13:9

Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

Grace is much more than unmerited favor, grace is the power, presence, essence, substance, and divine influence of God that fills the heart, permeates our being, fills the atmosphere and emanates from our soul and spirit, spreading outward through the flesh, it affects those around us, and it saves those in Christ every day.

Even the words that come forth out of your mouth as you speak can be full of grace and wisdom.

Colossians 4:5-6

"Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."

The true meaning of grace gives us a much deeper understanding of Ephesians 2:8-9

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

In Jesus,

Tyrone

FULFILLED

I was awoken at 12:35am today by the Holy Spirit with this word on my head like if they were spoken in my mind: FULFILLED and then it came this passage of Matthew 5.

Matthew 5:17-18

Do not think that I came to annul the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to annul, but to fulfill.

To fulfill in Greek-English

4137. pleroo play-ro'-o from 4134; to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.:--accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfill, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.

The Law or the Prophets refers to the Book of the Law - The Torah and the writings of the Prophets.The Book of the Law contains 613 commandments. It was to this that Christ said, “one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

The Law and the Prophets were fulfilled at the moment the veil was rent in twain from top to bottom and Christ cried with a loud voice, “IT IS FINISHED!”

Man could not be justified by obedience to the law of Moses (Acts 13:39-And everyone believing in this One is justified from all things which you could not be justified by the Law of Moses ; Romans. 3:20 - Because by works of law no flesh will be justified before Him-for through law is full knowledge of sin) or by any legal system which conditioned salvation upon perfect obedience. However, the law did serve its purpose. It brought a knowledge of sin (Rom. 3:20; Romans 7:7- What, then, shall we say? Is the law sin? Let it not be! Bit I did not know sin except through law; for also I did not know lust except the law said, You shall not lust.). It pointed mankind to the coming Messiah (Galatians 3:24- So that the Law has become a trainer of us until Christ, that we might be justified by faith. ; Romans 10:3 - For being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to the righteousness of God.).

I pray you may be blessed by this short message and that you do not try to be justified by anything you do, but by faith in Jesus Christ, for NOBODY can come to the Father except through His only begotten son Jesus Christ.

In Christ,
Cynthia