What Is Grace - Part 1 Series

UNDERSTANDING THE GRACE OF GOD

Part 1: WHAT IS GRACE?

As Christians, one of the most important things we need to fully understand is the grace of God. Grace is the most important concept in the Bible, Christianity, and the world. The very center and core of the whole bible is the doctrine of the grace of God. Grace is most needed and best understood in the midst of sin, suffering, and brokenness. We live in a world of earning, deserving, and merit, and these result in judgment. That is why everyone wants and needs grace. Judgment kills. Only grace makes alive. So what is grace?

WHAT IS GRACE?

By the simplest definition grace is “unmerited favor” or “unconditional love.” While this is a fine definition on its own, the problem is that we still have to define the definition.

First, let’s start with “unmerited.” To merit something means to earn it or deserve it. A child might merit a special treat by good behavior or by doing chores. In some schools, students can earn “Merit Badges” by showing that they know how to do something or can explain it to others or by being the top student in class. These students cannot earn these badges unless they have completed the required activities or achieved particular marks, thus meriting the badge. So “unmerited” then means to receive something that you did not earn or something that you do not deserve or qualify for.

In the same way “unconditional” means that something is not limited by conditions, such as our good behavior. So what is it that you receive that is unmerited? According to our basic definition of grace, you receive unmerited “favor.” Favor is something good being given to you or an act of kindness, like someone helping you. To be favored by someone means that someone likes you or helps you. The word “favorite” comes from the word “favored” and it means “the one you favor the most.” To favor someone means to like or help him or her. Grace then is getting something nice that you have not earned or deserve. When you receive grace you are given something better than what you deserve.

THE TWO MAIN DEFINITION OF GRACE

there are two main definitions however, as to what the grace of God is all about. Grace is like a two-sided coin. On the one side of the coin the grace of God is the “unmerited favor and unconditional love” of God as we have mentioned earlier. This is the grace that we are saved by with the Lord. As you will see in the next lessons. we are saved by grace through our faith in Jesus Christ.

The second definition of the word grace, which will be the other side of this same coin, is that the grace of God is referring to the divine life, power, and ability of God flowing and operating through us. This second aspect of God’s grace is the kind of grace we will need to properly function and operate in whatever He is going to call us to do for Him in this life. This same kind of divine power is also needed in our sanctification in the Lord, along with being needed to help us overcome different types of sins and temptations.

HOW GRACE IS DEFINED BY SOME OF THE DIFFERENT BIBLE DICTIONARIES:

• Unmerited favor, mercy, compassion

• Undeserved blessing, a free gift

• Gods loving mercy toward mankind

• Favor, graciousness, kindness, beauty, pleasantness

• The gift of God as expressed in His actions of extending mercy, loving-kindness and salvation to people

• Unmerited divine assistance given man for his regeneration or sanctification

• The power and equipment for ministry

• God’s disposition to exercise goodwill toward His creatures

• Synonymous with the gospel of God’s gift of unmerited salvation in Jesus Christ

• Favor or kindness shown without regard to the worth or merit of the one who receives it and in spite of what that same person deserves

• Undeserved acceptance and love received from another, especially the characteristic attitude of God in providing salvation to sinners

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS PEOPLE HAVE DEFINED GRACE?

• “Grace is free sovereign favor to the ill-deserving.”(B.B Warfield)

• “Grace is love that cares and stoops and rescues.”(John Scott)

• “[Grace] is God reaching downward to people who are in rebellion against Him.”(Jerry Bridges)

• “Grace is unconditional love toward a person who does not deserve it.” (Paul Zahl)

While everyone desperately needs it, grace is not about us. Grace is fundamentally a word about God: his un-coerced initiative and pervasive, extravagant demonstrations of care and favor. Michael Horton writes “In grace, God gives nothing less than Himself. Grace, then, is not a third thing or substance mediating between God and sinners, but is Jesus Christ in redeeming action.”