What is grace?
Ahaha what a cliche question and to be honest word/name too. I think I have every right to say that since, well, that is my name :)
I’ve heard a few meanings, interpretations, explanations of what grace is. I’ll list a few.
Unmerited favor
Getting something you don’t deserve
God’s riches at Christ’s expense
Not just a blanket of protection
A representation of his presence in our life empowering us to do all we are created to do
Appreciating what God has done that we cannot but do our part
I’ve also seen grace used side by side with other words.
Faith
Mercy
Salvation
Truth
Love
Glorious
Gift
Through Christ’s death, we have been shown grace and mercy to live as he wants us to. Without this burden of sin, without the fear of mankind. But rather, with the truth of the gospel, the good news, we can continue to live our lives with a greater purpose, an end goal.
In the bible, there are over a hundred appearances of “grace” in verses. 8 in the Old Testament, 123 in the New Testament (NIV). That’s 131 times total. That’s quite a lot of times ahha. But for some reason, all of them hit differently. Let me list a few.
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
His grace that he has so graciously given us (HAHA it’s hard to not use grace in its own definition huh) is enough. It satisfies, completes, and empowers us to live as he has created us to.
Romans 1:5
Through him we receive grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.
Grace is something that we have directly gotten from God. It’s through this gift that we are to do his work eagerly with all that we have.
Ephesians 4:7
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
Ephesians 2:8-9
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.
By grace, through faith, we are saved from the sinful ways of the world. By grace, we have been given this new life as his chosen children. It is only by grace that we have been redeemed and eternally at peace knowing that He is the foundation of our faith.
Titus 2:11
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
Romans 11:6
And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
Acts 15:11
No, we believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.
On that gracious note, I wanted to also share a few songs that have been on my heart that have the name grace or some variation of that :)
Grace to Grace by Hillsong Worship
“When I see that grave I see freedom
From death to life I will sing your praise in the wonder of your grace”
Gracious Tempest by Hillsong Young & Free
Grace is on our Side by Vertical Worship
Grace so Glorious by Elevation Worship
Amazing Grace by for King and Country
^this version by them is so good
Grace by Jonathan McReynolds
I am aware that there so many other good songs like This is Amazing Grace by Phil Wickham and Scandal of Grace by Hillsong United but I think I definitely overplayed them so I’m a little what’s the right phrase- trying to not listen to them as frequently because they’ve been overplayed. Yup, exactly that.
I was going through my camera roll. And I just realized. I haven't taken a photo. Since too. Long. Yikes. BUT anyways :)) This is a cute photo I found from a whileeee back when I was watching a few toddlers. Just reminded me of how grace saves each and every one of us. Regardless of how young or old, how much we realize that we are saved by grace or not :) Because God is good, merciful, and gracious.
This idea of grace and faith and hope especially during quarantine has hit all the more as the semester and finals season wrapped up. There isn’t much to do for me to be honest and I’ve been moping around, I can confidently say. But the other day, I kind of had a big awakening and it hit me that this isn’t the right mentality. I shouldn’t keep going this path not really focusing on that one truth that saved me. It’s time to live a life full of grace and remember that through him, nothing is impossible, but by grace, we are saved. By grace, we are made worthy to be his children. By grace, I can continue to live my life for him no matter what this life throws at me.
For we live by faith, not by sight.
Signing off with Faith Hope Love & Joy, Grace
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