What is Grace?

Does traditional thought align with the Word of God?

Charles Kirby

Sep 15, 2024

INTRO

Grace… what is it? The most common definition of grace, that most of us have likely heard is:

the unmerited favor of God

However, this definition is not actually drawn from scripture itself but rather the minds of men, and it falls apart whenever we look at the following verse in Luke pertaining to Jesus:

“And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.” (Luke 2:40)

Here are a couple of definitions of “merit” from the Merriam-Webster dictionary:

1.    a praiseworthy quality
2.    character or conduct deserving reward, honor, or esteem
3.    a person's qualities, actions, etc. regarded as indicating what the person deserves to receive

If the grace of God was upon Jesus, then grace cannot be unmerited favor. Since, Jesus had the merit to receive any gift from God that has anything to do with merit. He would thereby also be forced into exclusion from receiving of any gift that would have, as one of its essential requirements, the lack of merit.

Certainly, grace involves favor from God, for every good and perfect gift is from our Father above.1 However, the above definition of grace is problematic in that it leads to a mindset that is complacent to sin. It allows the Christian who repeatedly falls into sin to think they can lean on the grace of God as a crutch, and a get out of jail free card to be applied as His unmerited favor to their continued sinful, defeated, and often worldly life.

In reality, there is something about this grace of God that is intended to help us to overcome sin, rather than it being an excuse of sorts to live in it. Instead of looking at what tradition tells us and considering what feels good to our emotions, let’s take a quick walk through scripture and consider what all it has to say about this word grace.

A WALK THROUGH SCRIPTURE

The grace of God was decided upon and put in place for us before the creation of earth,2 though the peculiar and full manifestation of this gift was not made available until after the human life of Christ.3

God’s grace was upon Jesus4 and He obtained the fullest measure of it possible5 through His righteous life of obedience6 and humility.7

In the Old Testament era, we see Noah8 and Moses9 as both having found grace in God’s sight. Additionally, “grace” is most often recognized as some sort of physical or circumstantial favor from God and others.10

In the New Testament era, through Christ,11 this old form of grace has been replaced with a new form of grace.12 In John 1:16-17, the word “for” in “grace for grace” has a meaning related to being in place of rather than a meaning of being the object or goal of an activity. It is used in the same way in “an eye for an eye”13 and “evil for evil.”14

Just as we are able to partake of the same peace that Jesus had15 and His same joy,16 it is the same perfected and full manifestation of the grace of Jesus that is given to us as well17 as we abide in Him.

This grace is not received because of our works,18 but because of our faith in Jesus Christ.19

This grace that we receive first has the peculiar work of converting the soul,20 whereby a man has his stone heart exchanged for a soft heart.21 At this conversion, the Christian is freed from the dominion of sin and is placed under that grace.22

This work of grace continues further in us, as an instructor that points us away from ungodly passions and being worldly-minded, and toward the righteous and godly example that was illustrated for us in the life of Christ.23

Simply pointing us to the example of Christ would leave us in a most miserable state if it stopped there. Therefore, the work of grace continues by serving as the instrument of help that we use for overcoming sin in our time of need.24 Through this work of grace we can obey God25 and walk uprightly.26

Furthermore, we see this work of grace continuing through the impartation of spiritual gifts upon the people of God,27 and of spiritual strength.28 It is through this impartation of grace that we are then able to carry out the work of our spiritual callings in Christ Jesus.29

This grace, as described thus far, is part of the teaching and doctrine of the true gospel.30 Therefore, Satan will always be at work to corrupt the teaching of grace into that of another gospel.31 These corrupted gospels will teach of grace as something which then tolerates sin and gives license and permission for men to continue in lives of sin, contrary to the commandments of God and the teachings of His apostles and prophets.32

We are to walk in humility before God, that we may receive of this grace,33 grow into greater measures of this grace34 and to continue in it all of our Christian lives.35

Lastly, as we walk in this grace, it should be evident in our speech that we may build up and edify one another36 and be able to give an answer to every man.37

A SIMPLE DEFINITION

Though there is more that can be said, as stated above, Titus 2:11-12 coupled with Hebrews 4:15-16 provides, perhaps, the simplest and most general definition of grace from scripture.

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” (Titus 2:11–12)
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15–16)

Using these two scriptures we could form a definition for grace along the following lines:

That which performs the peculiar work of conversion upon the hearts of people, and then teaches them to turn from worldliness and sinful lifestyles into ones that are righteous and pleasing to God, while at the same time imbuing them with the very power that they need to overcome sin and to live a righteous life.