Grace.

[StinkerBell]

Grace. Please define it to me. I am not seeing alot of it lately.
I see alot of legalism but not a even amount of grace.

Is it a 50/50 thing? or is Grace only 10%?

[cookie]

Grace:
#

1. Divine love and protection bestowed freely on people.
2. The state of being protected or sanctified by the favor of God.
3. An excellence or power granted by God.

[frisian1970]

Outline of Biblical Usage
1) grace

a) that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech

2) good will, loving-kindness, favour

a) of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues

3) what is due to grace

a) the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace

b) the token or proof of grace, benefit

1) a gift of grace

2) benefit, bounty

4) thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward

[B A N E]

Grace = Unmerited favor.

Or from www.m-w.com

Main Entry: 1grace
Pronunciation: 'grAs
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from Latin gratia favor, charm, thanks, from gratus pleasing, grateful; akin to Sanskrit grnAti he praises
1 a : unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification b : a virtue coming from God c : a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace
2 a : APPROVAL, FAVOR <stayed in his good graces> b archaic : MERCY, PARDON c : a special favor : PRIVILEGE <each in his place, by right, not grace, shall rule his heritage -- Rudyard Kipling> d : disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency e : a temporary exemption : REPRIEVE
3 a : a charming or attractive trait or characteristic b : a pleasingly graceful appearance or effect : CHARM c : ease and suppleness of movement or bearing

and

Main Entry: 2grace
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): graced; grac·ing
1 : to confer dignity or honor on
2 : ADORN, EMBELLISH <graveled walks graced with statues --

[PreTribber]

Colossians 4:6 -Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

:thumb

[StinkerBell]

ok got some great definitions...but how does grace cover me? and is there an end to it? can grace stop? be withdrawn?

[joy4Him2day]

I think here is something:

for we have not a 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 in the time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16
....who can have compassion on them that are ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.....Hebrews 5:1,2

....and I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor and injurious: but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief, .

and the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.......

THAT IS GRACE.......

edited to correct spelling

[antitox]

I like Joy's answer because those scriptures do contain a lot.

Here's my 2 cents:

Grace= "the power to do the will of God
Someone may ask, "how did you ever get through that hard time?" and you answer, "by the grace of God."
Websters: 1 a : unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification

-------
Grace is that unmerited favor when we have screwed up the works, yet God's mercy stays with us and He helps us get back on track.
Gee, can I count how many times He's done that? I am truly indebted.

Websters: 2 a : APPROVAL, FAVOR <stayed in his good graces> b archaic : MERCY, PARDON c : a special favor : PRIVILEGE <each in his place, by right, not grace, shall rule his heritage -- Rudyard Kipling> d : disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency e : a temporary exemption : REPRIEVE

Grace can similarly referred to divine favor or blessing (another version of unmerited favour), and it can come in so many different packages that we don't realize it when it happens inconspicuously or in small amounts. There is indeed much more of it going on than we realize and I'm sure we'll find out how much when we stand before the Lord.
The grace of God is so unlike man's way of dealing with people that that is the reason we have so much trouble understanding it, among many other things. It seems like mercy and grace go hand in hand so much of the time.

[elredcrow]

grace is God giving us what we do not deserve. (salvation, empowerment)

mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve. (death. punishment)

A born again child of God receives His grace. It is a given. It will not be taken away from you ever, although you may choose to not walk in it.

[walkbyfaith]

This isn't a definition, but there is a wonderful book on Grace that I am reading. It is by Lewis Smedes, and it is called Shame and Grace. He takes you from shame through grace, using the Bible as his guidebook for this journey.

For me, once a truly, truly wretched sinner :cry , I find Grace in very small quantities in the Church today. On the journey of healing that our awesome God is leading me, He has brought me to RR, where I have seen beautiful, sweet snatches of grace, sometimes through a pm that I desperately needed telling me that someone loves me and is praying for me; through a thread where a truly unmerciful post was made, and I was bleeding from it, ripping myself apart over it, then a dear sister or brother posted about God's mercy and forgiveness as a reminder to all there (thanks Stinky) ; through the people here who went out of their way to explain something I didn't understand in Bible study; to the prayers when I have struggled with difficulties. Of course, the most amazing Grace for me has been simply when the Lord meets my needs and comforts me when I know in my heart that I can never deserve it, but He does it anyway because He love me.

There is such a fine balance between truth and grace, one that we sadly seem to forget, as we take a club and beat people over the head with truth, not showing any grace at all. Our Lord was able to do both, and I pray daily that He will mold me into a person of truth AND grace.

Thanks for the definitions, each of you have expanded MY understanding of grace even more (once again, showing grace).

[antsinmypants]

Psalm 119 which is COMPLETELY about Y'shua and our relation to Him and His (and Our Father's) Commandments, says that His Torah is the Torah of Grace.

We are told that a few people in the Tanakh found "grace" in His sight. Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob... and David- to name a few.

One of the Hebrew words I find for the word Grace is "Chen"/"Khane" (chet, nun).

here is what we have from blueletterbible.org on this one:

H02580
Outline of Biblical Usage
1) favour, grace, charm
a) favour, grace, elegance
b) favour, acceptance
Authorized Version (KJV) Translation Count — Total: 69
AV - grace 38, favour 26, gracious 2, pleasant 1, precious 1,
wellfavoured + 02896 1; 69


Another word I found was "Tekinnah" (Tet, Chet, Nun, Hey).

h08467
Outline of Biblical Usage
1) favour, supplication, supplication for favour
a) favour
b) supplication for favour

Authorized Version (KJV) Translation Count — Total: 25
AV - supplication 23, favour 1, grace 1; 25




Zacheriah 12:10 used the word "Chen" in reference to Y'shua being the cornerstone, the slain first born of Jerusalem:

Zec 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for [his] only [son], and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for [his] firstborn.


Just thought i'd mention it. (i'm sure i could find more if i looked harder)

:):

[Ponderin]

Is it a 50/50 thing? or is Grace only 10%?

All of Grace

:nod

Psalm 85:10
Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

[blitzkreig]

Is it a 50/50 thing? or is Grace only 10%?sorry to inform everyone... :tsk ... Grace is 100%


Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Isn't the Lord simply amazing?...

[Vickimac]

ok got some great definitions...but how does grace cover me? and is there an end to it? can grace stop? be withdrawn?

Grace is Gods gift (alone) to give. It can't be earned or it wouldn't be grace. Unmerited favor, amen, unmerited. God is not an indian-giver and his grace promises ETERNAL everlasting life!

Amen Blitz! :nod
It's all His work, His gift. My faith is in Him, not me (thank you Jesus) :):

[WannaBeReady]

deleted - misunderstanding. I'm sorry!!

[Ponderin]

:confused KS, I'm there.

[blitzkreig]

I started on a study of "Grace" means maybe 5 years ago or so... and I can only tell you that I am not anywhere close to 1/2 done.

We begin to think we know of God's goodness to us and then we discover Grace... Grace can not be defined because that might be a constraint...

Paul's ministry is centered upon Grace.

I can tell you it is loosely based upon the Love of God in spite of us... not because of us.

[walkbyfaith]

I'm trying to understand what is being said here, so I have a few questions. :):

1. Only God can extend grace?

2. Once we are His, aren't we able to extend grace to one another also?

3. Where is the fine balance between truth and grace? Edited to clarify: When is truth supposed to prevail, even if it hurts? How do you find that balance in your life? Don't know if this makes sense at all. :confused

Thanks!

Edited to add: Really am trying to understand the concept, and want to make sure that my understanding so far is correct. Thank you.

[HeIsEnough]

Grace. Please define it to me. I am not seeing alot of it lately.
I see alot of legalism but not a even amount of grace.

Is it a 50/50 thing? or is Grace only 10%?

It is a 100% kinda thing.


John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.


Amen.


Acts 20:24
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.


This should be ours too. :nod


Romans 3:24
and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.


A different kinda way...


Romans 6:14
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.


Quit tryin on you own, and let God's grace shine on you.


Galatians 1:3
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,


To all of us.


Galatians 5:4
You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.


A fine line for sure. Ya gotta keep it straight in your mind. If you see something in your life that is forbidden for you, then it is forbidden for you, not anyone else, keep it to yourself. That is, of course, except for what is expressly shown in the scriptures. And if it is expressly shown, and someone is doing it, ya better be all loved up to stand in and restore the brother, otherwise ya might just be a legalist and not even know it.

I don't know about you guys, but it was through His grace that I have any standing at all. Not sure where you were going Stinker,(what a name!) But legalists will strangle God's grace everytime. :nod

[RobinB]

grace is God giving us what we do not deserve. (salvation, empowerment)

.

That's how I have always heard it defined. :nod

[Average Joey]

A good example.Anything for us this side of hell is pure grace.

This is good answer to those we so often times meet and say "What has God ever done for me?"

[HollowofHishand]

A really wonderful book called "What's So Amazing About Grace?" by Philip Yancey will give you a lot to contemplate. It is an easy read, but took me about 2 months because after every chapter I had to stop and digest what he was saying.
I now have a much better understanding of God's grace and the incredible gift it is!

[Ponderin]

HollowofHishand



That book has more truth in it than anyone can graciously shake a stick at. :D:

[Changes]

Another question.

What do we do with the grace that the Lord has given us?

For us, is it a 50/50 thing?

We can choose to use the God given grace.

God is grace, so he doesn't choose to use it, it is Him.

So in our striving to be like Him, what do we do with grace?

[blitzkreig]

When we are talking about "Grace" we must remember that justification is not acquittal. It does not declare us "innocent of sin". Rather God justly condemns the sinner, but He "justifies" the believing sinner, declaring him righteous in Christ.

Much more than an ordinary acquittal! The process:

1. The sinner pronounced guilty (Rom. 3:19).
2. The sinner's sins imputed to Christ (Rom. 3:24).
3. Christ's righteousness imputed to the sinner (Rom. 4:5).

Now, while maintaining absolute justice, God fully justifies those who simply, but sincerely, "believe in Jesus."

In Paul's first recorded sermon, delivered in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia, he declared:

"Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; "And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:38,39).

"Where is boasting then?" he asks... Paul's reply could not be more to the point: "It is excluded' Rom 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

God knows the evil and sorrow that have resulted from human pride, and He does not tolerate it in His redemptive plan. He gives man no part whatsoever in salvation but to receive it as a gift - "lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8,9).

The joy of salvation and of heaven springs not from the pride of human accomplishment, but from sheer gratitude.