Among the terms of so-called "Christianese" is the concept of grace. The pithy description of grace is "unmerited favor" and it is often discussed with mercy. Mercy, being not getting what we do deserved, and in contrast, grace being getting what we don't deserve.
J.I. Packer said. . .
What is grace? In the New Testament grace means God’s love in action towards men who merited the opposite of love. Grace means God moving heaven and earth to save sinners who could not lift a finger to save themselves. Grace means God sending His only Son to descend into hell on the cross so that we guilty ones might be reconciled to God and received into heaven. ‘(God) hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
But is grace really synonymous with a one-time event of Salvation, or is grace on-going? Paul in
Webster. When used in this way, I usually think of an Olympic figure skater, something for which I direct a huge amount of awe.
Being a southern boy, I did not have the opportunity to try ice skating until I was about 20 years old. I don't know whether it was the fact that the only available skates where the forward-facing-tooth-make-you-fall-flat-on-your-face figure skating skates, that the ice was so bumpy (who would have thought), or the added pressure of being on a blind date; but I spent more time on my bruised and scraped-up knees and my face than I did doing anything that resembled ice skating - NOT graceful.
If you watch a figure skating competition, you can see the Olympians literally tearing up the ice as the skates shed shards of ice left and right. If you look carefully, you can see the intricate trails and some times trenches carved out of the ice in circular and crisscross patterns. I've noticed that the ice never seems to be cleared between contestants, and that those competing later in the competition have quite a terrain to navigate. Yet, as you watch the figure skaters, they continue to glide, yes,
gracefully along the ice, accomplishing their incredible maneuvers and tricks. The ice itself is hardly ever given a second thought.
I see God's Grace in a similar way. His will being accomplished with ease and suppleness no matter how rough we are, no matter how resistant we are, God's grace is sufficient.
What is grace? Grace is God's orchestration and accomplishment of his purpose through me despite my faults.
This definition would not only apply to the New Testament, but the Old as well. It is not limited to Salvation, but rather Salvation is an outworking of that grace. Grace is a continuing gift God bestows on mankind. But only those on his team will reap its long term benefit.
Do you agree with this definition of grace? How do you define grace?
Comments (8)
marvelous illustration <3.
Very interesting comparison of mercy VS grace!
Never throught of the difference between mercy and grace!
If God gives us grace, how much more do we need to act towards eachother with grace?
I wonder why the Bible refrence was removed. "Paul in Webster?" What?
Original post says:
But is grace really synonymous with a one-time event of Salvation, or is grace on-going? Paul in Romans 5:20 and 21 says that grace increases and will "reign through righteousness to eternal life."
Another way that grace is used is to describe a way in which something is executed, "ease and suppleness of movement or bearing," according to Webster. When used in this way, I usually think of an Olympic figure skater, something for which I direct a huge amount of awe.
You know I love you, right? I love you. This is an awesome post.
Grace is, exactly as you've already said, getting what we don't deserve. We certainly don't deserve God's love, mercy, favor, or blessing. We are sinners, made from "the dust of the ground" (Gen. 2:7), the stuff that today people tread all over without a second thought. We are descendants of King David, who called himself a worm (Psalm 22:6)! Yet because of God's grace, we "have all received one blessing after another" (John 1:16). Grace is God's love and favor being lavished on me, the worst of sinners, despite my faults.
Great post.
I like the definition of grace: mercy contrary to merit.
But I like the way you've defined it here. Puts a new perspective on grace.
What is Grace? There are many definitions I suppose.
I have come to understand that only God gives an understanding of Grace - I can't do it even though I have it! And that's pretty awesome.
This frees me to accept others understandings of Grace without judgment.
I simply encourage everyone to gain the connection to God that will bring them their own unique understanding of Grace.