Grace

2 Corinthians 8:9

“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”

The word Grace interestingly is mentioned in a lot of verses in the Bible but not given a definition clearly anywhere. But, theologically we define grace as “God’s unmerited favor to man”. This meditation is to search the bible, find what actually Grace means and to acknowledge the importance of Grace for our living.

Hebrews 2:9 also confirms this by stating, Jesus tasted death by the grace of God.

Based on the above verse, we may somewhat understand that Grace is not just unmerited favor, but a favor which caused a lot of loss and pain to God Almighty which He gave willfully so that totally unworthy candidates would be exalted to riches and highness.

Jesus

John 1:14, 16 and 17 gives us a straight understanding that Jesus was the complete display of God’s grace.

Grace in the eyes of the Lord

Interestingly, we can see plenty of occurrences in the OT’s historical books about grace, but almost every occurrence comes with the phrase “found grace in the eyes of the Lord”. Examples (Gen 6:8, 19:19, 32:5 till Esther 2:17 a total of 28 times). Sometimes, they had found Grace in the eyes of men too. Example Ruth found grace in the eyes of Boaz etc. In the above verse which is the first occurrence, we can see that when the whole world was wicked, God showed a glimpse of Grace to Noah. This was just a glimpse because Noah was not a wicked person but God loved him and his family.

Sons of Korah

In the psalms, we see the word twice 45:2 and 84:11. Interestingly both the verses were written by the sons of Korah. Korah was a rebel and was swallowed by the earth alive during the time of Moses (Numbers 16). But, some sons did not die (Numbers 26:11) and their generations were there with David during his initial trials with Saul. This was the official mention of the word, Grace in complete and it comes from a team who almost were at the brink of being killed by God but were saved and exalted up to a level of choir masters in the Lord’s chamber.

This is what Grace is. When we were totally hopelessly out dead and buried in sin, God showered tons and tons of love even when we did not have any merit to possess it. We all have received this Grace in the form of Jesus Christ. This is the reason, we read hundreds of occurrences of the word Grace in the NT, both by Paul and John.

Crown

In the book of proverbs, Grace is compared or substituted to a crown that qualifies an ordinary person to become a crown. (Proverbs 4:9). Similarly in the book of proverbs, we can see grace being ornaments in the next and head.

Initiative for Salvation

Ephesians 2:8 “For by Grace are ye saved through faith.”

This verse clearly shows that the reason behind our salvation was Grace only. Since the grace of God flowed in, salvation was given to us. Our faith was merely a tool that good used. Like a plumber using a wrench, the plumber decided and came forward. Our faith, like a wrench is a small tool. Grace was the only initiative done so that we would receive this wonderful gift of salvation. The initiative started only there and so, sometimes Christians do not value the gift properly.

Abounding Grace

2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”

The purpose of grace is that we should abound in good works. In contrast to the belief that we would receive prosperity or material blessings (Romans 14:17), it is because we received a lot of grace so that heavenly riches would abound in us. Ephesians 1:6, 7 says that God’s riches for us is grace and we receive that riches so that we would be loved and accepted in the beloved.

Grace and not Wealth

In 2 Corinthians 8:1-7, we read the status of Macedonian church which was giving a lot (sacrificial giving) to Paul in their deepest poverty. The reason to that giving is that Grace was bestowed upon them. When people understand the magnificence of grace, they would consider all material wealth as nothing. They would try to give as much as they can and more than they can despite their poverty to Christian missions.  This is one way they cherish the grace they had received. The church’s people have given themselves totally to God first and then they give them and their belongings to men of God. Paul truly recommends Titus and the Corinthians to abound themselves in this grace, that values the love of God very higher.

Ministers because of Grace

Ephesians 3:7 “Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the graceof God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.”

Ephesians 4:29 says that Christian workers should minister grace when speaking. The importance of grace should be emphasized always in our speeches.

Grace be with you

Paul, Peter and John use grace as the sole blessing at most times and sometimes combined with peace.  The blessing tells us that we should all receive and honor the grace (the price paid at the cross) properly so that it does not get wasted.