Grace: simply defined and yet sometimes hard to grasp and accept

What is grace? Simply put, it is unmerited favor or getting what you don’t deserve. Grace is central to the Christian faith. It is the basis for our standing before God, our salvation, and forgiveness. It is something that many people have a hard time grasping. As our sense of justice cannot fathom someone not getting what they deserve. How can I be forgiven for a horrible act? Why should I show grace to someone else? The word grace is used roughly 131 times in the Bible with 124 in the New Testament. Paul, being called the apostle of grace, used the term 86 times. How can we define grace? What example do we have of grace? What is grace so hard to accept? 

First, grace is unconditional. Just as God’s love for us is unconditional, He extends grace and forgiveness freely to those who seek it. While in our sinful nature, we deserve judgment, God’s grace gives us salvation  and transforms our desires, motivations and behavior (Titus 2:11). There is nothing we can do to earn or deserve God’s love and forgiveness. It is not a one-time gift either. It is a continuous flow as we are imperfect and prone to marketing mistakes. It is “not a reward for good behavior, but a gift for repentant sinners,” (In The Grip of Grace). Second, grace is power for living. Paul was a powerful and influential apostle. However, he did not take credit but saw the power of God’s grace in his life (1 Corinthians 15:10). Grace is the power in our lives to help through difficult and challenging times. God tells us that his grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9) and through our weakness, He makes us strong. Third, grace transforms lives and allows us to extend grace to others. 

It is an influence of God on our lives that works in us to change (2 Corinthians 9:8, 2 Corinthians 12:9). Jesus is the embodiment of grace itself. First, in his incarnation. John 1:17 says “ For the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Law and grace are important parts of God’s nature. Moses gave the people God’s law and justice while Jesus would display God’s mercy, love and forgiveness. Second, in his actions. Jesus’s interactions with others gives us examples of graciousness. From his miraculous healings to the parables, Jesus taught grace, His forgiveness of the adulterous woman (John 8:1-11), forgiving Peter after his betrayal (John 21:15-17) and the conversion of Saul (Acts 9:1-19) are examples of grace’s unmerited favor, redemptive power and transformative influence. Third, with his sacrifice on the cross. Lastly, in his teachings. The Parable of the Prodigal Son is a prime example of Jesus teaching grace. In John 15:11-32, the story of the son who turned his back on his father to live a life that squandered his wealth. The son would return, expecting to beg for scraps, and found himself being welcomed with open arms. It is a beautiful image of what happens when a sinner turns to God and asks for forgiveness. 

We can receive free gifts all time in other forms; but accepting free grace from God is hard. Why? The world fears grace. Grace threatens those with possessions, privilege and power. Grace offers a different value system for assessing our worth than the world does. Our sinful nature fears grace and whispers to us on a daily basis that grace simply cannot be free. Because “nothing is free,” right? Through God’s grace, we are not valued based on what we have, what we do or don’t do. It is a gift. A free and clear gift. It is a generosity that the world cannot comprehend. God knows us for who we truly are, past, present and future. And yet He continuously invites us into His unending grace for healing to every hurt, empowering for daily living and transforming into who we were meant to be. All we need to do is trust and receive it. And accepting grace is a daily enterprise. It is a gift every single day. Like manna, it has to be collected fresh each day.

In conclusion, grace is so simple and yet so complex. As I began this study, I thought I knew grace. I thought I would be able to effectively convey the message of grace. And yet, with numerous Scriptures at my fingertips, I struggled with the words. I struggled with doubt that I was explaining grace adequately and accurately. And I hope my words are a beginning to understanding grace and accepting it in your lives. It is with grace that we are saved through faith as a gift that we cannot achieve through works (Ephesians 2:8-9).  In the words of Brennan Manning, “He comes to where I live and loves me as I am,” And yet, God will not leave you there. We are transformed by His grace and love.