What is grace?
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
The Ancient Romans had three different meaning for the word “gratia” from which we get our word grace. For them, gratia could mean:
- A pleasing quality: something you have or don’t have
- Favor or goodwill: something you give or get
- Gratitude or thanks: when you have something to be thankful for
God’s grace – His unmerited favor – really incorporates all of these meanings, and it gives us the foundation we need to live grace in our own lives.
- God is full of grace. (Exodus 34:6)
- God’s grace makes salvation possible. (Ephesians 1:7-8)
- God accepts us by His grace. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- God’s grace gives us hope. (1 Peter 1:13)
How do we to live grace?
Not only do the above scripture describe our God of grace and the qualities He possesses, but they also give us direction for how we to can live grace in our own lives because of His unmerited favor. Because of God’s grace, we can:
- Accept His gift of grace. It’s a gift; you can’t earn it. This truth is essential in order to live grace.
- Be slow to anger. Learn The Logic of Patience and keep Battling the Unbelief of Impatience.
- Be abundant in loving-kindness. Deliberately look for ways to show kindness to others.
- Be abundant in truth. Take Every Thought Captive to the truth.
- Get wisdom and understanding. Learn to Develop Wisdom and focus on understanding.
- Take time to think. Develop Good Judgment that will help you think clearly.
- Develop self-control. The only way I have found to do this is by the increasing of the fruits of the Spirit in me.
At the end of Genesis 8, just after getting off of the ark after the great flood, Noah built and altar to the Lord and made a sacrifice to God. The NIV says in verse 21 that “The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma…” God then went on to promise He would never curse the earth again.
I desire for God to say that about my sacrifices, too, and I want my sacrifices to result in God’s blessings. I want my life to be a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
Mark Allman
The first thing that came to mind was "do I understand Grace?" Because I do not have a good feel for what all these mean. I think when we live grace then in effect we are giving. Giving of ourselves to others; extending them things they may not deserve. Maybe living grace means we also extend it to ourselves in the sense we know we are not perfect but that God redeems and remakes us and can on a daily basis. Giving thanks is a way to extend grace as well; to recognize what God or someone else has done and acknowledge that with thanks.
Kari Scare
Living grace means we need to extend it to ourselves. I needed to hear that today. I don't think I truly understand grace, but I sure like recieving it. Great examples and explanation, by the way. Thank you once again for adding depth in an area that is truly difficult to grasp, especially for me these days.
tnealtarver
I love the word grace and the images it conjures up. The grace family of words has such a sense of well-being and elegance–graceful, gracious, gracefulness, etc. "She moves with such grace." "He is so gracious." Good word today, Kari.
Kari Scare
Love the amplification of the word grace, Tom. Thank you for that!
Coach_Mike
FAITH is the only currency we can offer to realize God's GRACE! Amen
Kari Scare
Love the stretching of the mind and spirit, Mike. Thank you for this and for the additional coaching, which has stretched me even further. I have been truly blessed by my friends today. Thank you.
Coach_Mike
It is always a two way street… thanks.
Loren Pinilis
Sorry for the delay in commenting, Kari. I've been recovering from surgery.
The thing that sticks out to me about grace is how it's completely undeserved. I know I want to be kind to people if they're kind to me, but that's not really grace. I find it incredibly challenging to continually try and act in a loving way when you feel that the other party is undeserving. But that's how Christ loved us.
Kari Scare
No need to apologize, Loren. Hope your recovering is going well. Said a prayer for quick & painless! My pastor defines grace often as "unmerited favor." Favor I don't deserve and can never earn. That constantly amazes me, but it also makes me want to be brave.
Mary Mccauley
I thought of God's amazing grace that saved a wretch like me…the thought of living grace…I love that! thanks Kari! I really see the extra work you are doing in your blogs and love them!
Kari Scare
Thanks for always being such an encourager, Mary.