Pearls of Great Value

What is grace? 

Grace: as defined by Strongs Bible accordance: 

grace, χάρις   charis   155x  

pleasing show, charm; beauty, gracefulness; a pleasing circumstance, matter of approval, 1 Pet. 2:19, 20; kindly bearing, graciousness, Lk. 4:22; a beneficial opportunity, benefit, 2 Cor. 1:15; Eph. 4:29; a charitable act, generous gift, 1 Cor. 16:3; 2 Cor. 8:4, 6; an act of favor, Acts 25:3; favor, acceptance, Lk. 1:30, 52; Acts 2:47; 7:10, 46; free favor, free gift, grace, Jn. 1:14, 16, 17; Rom. 4:4, 16; 11:5, 6; Eph. 2:5, 8; 1 Pet. 3:7; free favor specially manifested by God towards man in the Gospel scheme, grace, Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:24; 5:15, 17, 20, 21; 6:1; 2 Cor. 4:15; a gracious provision, gracious scheme, grace, Rom. 6:14, 15; Heb. 2:9; 12:28; 13:9; grace, graciously bestowed divine endowment or influence, Lk. 2:40; Acts 4:33; 11:23; Rom. 12:6; 2 Cor. 12:9; grace, Acts 11:43; Rom. 5:2; Gal. 5:4; 2 Pet. 3:18; an emotion correspondent to what is pleasing or kindly; sense of obligation, Lk. 17:9; a grateful frame of mind, 1 Cor. 10:30; thanks, Lk. 6:32, 33, 34; Rom. 6:17; 1 Cor. 15:57; 

[Easton]

Grace: 

(1.) Of form or person (Prov. 1:9; 3:22; Ps. 45:2). (2.) Favour, kindness, friendship (Gen. 6:8; 18:3; 19:19; 2 Tim. 1:9). (3.) God’s forgiving mercy (Rom. 11:6; Eph. 2:5). (4.) The gospel as distinguished from the law (John 1:17; Rom. 6:14; 1 Pet. 5:12). (5.) Gifts freely bestowed by God; as miracles, prophecy, tongues (Rom. 15:15; 1 Cor. 15:10; Eph. 3:8). (6.) Christian virtues (2 Cor. 8:7; 2 Pet. 3:18). (7.) The glory hereafter to be revealed (1 Pet. 1:13).

“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:16–17 ESV

“What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!” Rom. 6:15 ESV 

“Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” 2 Cor. 6:1 ESV

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,” Eph. 2:7ESVi)

What is grace? Is it freedom? Complete freedom? Can i do whatever I want and call it covered by grace? There is so much that isn’t understood when it comes to this subject! Paul does an awesome job covering it in his epistles and one can quickly see it’s pivotal to the whole gospel. Grace is huge and I don’t know if it’s possible to cover it in a blog post, but the little I know, I want to share. 

First, Grace is the gift of God to mankind, freely given and is without limitation. Second, it empowers the believer to live holy and pure lives. It teaches and instructs man to deny wrongdoing. Lastly, Gods Grace is all-sufficient. My grace, God says, is sufficient for you! And since He is the God of all grace, when are abiding in Him, we lack nothing for we are surrounded by His grace! No matter where we turn, no matter what we face, Grace is there with a rich supply to meet us in every need. “And 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 Cor. 9:8, ESV

All grace. Meaning of all: being or representing the entire or total amount or quantity. Any whatsoever. The whole of one’s fortune, resources, or energy.”  Paul says God is the God of all grace: “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Pet. 5:10 ESV. I love this promise. God is saying with all my resources, with all my energy, with all my goodness and riches, with all my GRACE, I will restore and strengthen and establish you!

Grace is also forgiveness and freedom in action. Think about someone serving a life sentence in prison. This person is there because of a wrong done and now has to pay a penalty. Let’s suppose, someone comes along and says,” I will take his place. Set him free and i will serve the rest of his penalty.” This is grace. But do you think that by doing this kindness, the person was giving permission for the criminal to go and continue to do wrong? Or do you think the criminal was set free so that he might live a changed life? 

See, grace is more than just being set free from your past and your old life. Grace also empowers believers to live lives that are godly and righteous. A person who has experienced grace and has a revelation of how much it cost to have freedom, is eager to do good. Wants to live up to the standard that was set before him.

Titus 2 teaches us that the grace of God has appeared, with salvation for all people. And this grace teaches men to deny godlessness and worldly lusts. It instructs man to live in a sensibly, righteous and godly way in this present age. What grace doesn’t do is give permission to sin or to live in sin. Grace will never give you the right to do wrong. Never. Instead, it will correct you and remind you that you are no longer that person who ended up in prison. You’ve been set free. 

Titus 2:7 says, “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity.” This word show carries with it the implication of setting an example, or being a showcase of what Christlikeness is. It’s to promote, exhibit, offer, and furnish the gift of grace given to you, to others. Grace isn’t just given to you for you. It’s given so you might be able to give. Freely you have received, freely give. How else will we attract others to the kingdom of God? Are we ambassadors carrying the gift of grace? Then, let’s act like it. What are ways to show grace: in forgiveness, acts of charity, it’s in graciousness and kindness, in favors, in friendship; anytime we display the goodness of God it’s a gift of grace. Plus, gifts are meant to be given. Or else it’s not a gift. Think on that for a minute. Or two. ( I’m also talking about the gift, or calling, God has placed on your life. This has grace bestowed all over it.) 

Grace is a gift, a divine gift given by love. It’s a favor given to mankind by a loving Father who wanted to see His children freed from the bonds of sin. Read that again: freed FROM sin, not freed TO sin. Grace is you getting the favor you don’t deserve to get. It’s huge, if you think about it. It puts a stamp of approval on you. It clothes you in new robes, puts a ring on your finger, sandals on your feet, and says, “Let’s have a feast!” You, my prodigal child, have been welcomed home. By grace. You didn’t deserve it. You clearly messed up, big time. Yet, not once did this stop the Father from reaching towards you with open arms, and enveloping you in the biggest hug. 

At every corner in your life, grace is there with wisdom, ready to receive and guide you. There  is always a right way and a wrong way and sometimes we get confused. But if we learn to hear and trust the voice of truth, we’ll find grace right there to lead us perfectly, in the right direction. One way to know if it’s grace speaking or not, is this: grace will always lead you home to God. If it doesn’t lead God-ward, it’s probably not grace speaking nor leading you. 

“But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” Eph. 4:7 ESV

“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,” 2 Tim. 2:1 ESV

“And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts 20:32 ESV