What is Grace?
- olivierbranford
- Feb 2
- 11 min read
Updated: Feb 3
I often hear the word 'Grace' used, but what is it exactly and how does it relate to personal transformation?
Martin Luther wrote “Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.”
Divine Grace is a theological term present in many religions. It has been defined as 'the divine influence which operates in humans to regenerate, transform and sanctify, to inspire virtuous impulses, and to impart strength to endure trial and resist temptation; and as an individual virtue or excellence of divine origin.' God loves sinners but hates sin: The only sin is to not become who you truly are.
Hindu devotional or bhakti literature available throughout India and Nepal is replete with references to Grace (kripa) as the ultimate key required for spiritual self-realisation.
Grace in Christianity is the free and unmerited favour or gift from God as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowing of blessings. Common Christian teaching is that Grace is unmerited mercy (favour) that God gave to humanity by sending his Son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cross, thus securing man's eternal salvation from sin.
Grace is unearned, undeserved, and freely given. It's not something we can achieve through good deeds or moral excellence. Instead, it's a testament to God's boundless love for us—so profound that He gave Christ Jesus to bridge the gap between us and Him forever.
We receive Grace by Faith. And Faith comes to our hearts from the Holy Spirit. But to receive the release of Faith in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, we must yield to him consistently. We must be in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin wrote that “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
Grace
Grace is an essential part of God’s character. Grace is closely related to God’s benevolence, unconditional love, and mercy. In His Grace, God is willing to forgive us, have compassion for us, and bless us abundantly.
God extended His favour to us. Grace is what saves us (Ephesians 2:8). Grace is the essence of the gospel (Acts 20:24). Grace gives us victory over sin (James 4:6). Grace gives us “eternal encouragement and good hope” (2 Thessalonians 2:16). Paul repeatedly identified Grace as the basis of his calling as an apostle (Romans 15:15; 1 Corinthians 3:10; Ephesians 3:2, 7). Jesus Christ is the embodiment of Grace, coupled with Truth (John 1:14).
The Bible repeatedly calls Grace a “gift” (e.g., Ephesians 4:7). This is an important analogy because it teaches us some key things about Grace.
Grace provides us access to God to communicate and fellowship with Him (Ephesians 1:6; Hebrews 4:16). Grace wins for us a new relationship of intimacy with God (Exodus 33:17).
Grace helps us in our every need (Hebrews 4:16).
Grace is the reason behind our every deliverance (Psalm 44:3–8; Hebrews 4:16).
Grace preserves us and comforts, encourages, and strengthens us (2 Corinthians 13:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17; 2 Timothy 2:1).
Grace is actively and continually working in the lives of God’s people. Paul credited the success of his ministry not to his own substantial labours but to “The Grace of God that was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Grace is the ongoing, benevolent act of God working in us, without which we can do nothing (John 15:5). Grace is greater than our sin (Romans 5:20), more abundant than we expect (1 Timothy 1:14), and too wonderful for words (2 Corinthians 9:15). It truly is a challenge to define. When you have received Grace, you will feel it.
Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by Grace you have been saved through Faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
According to the Bible Eternal life in Christ Jesus is indeed a free gift that came with a price. It was paid in full in Jesus Christ on the cross. And this grace is God’s undeserved gift for mankind. Grace is the resurrection of your soul. Through resurrection there is transformation.
The origin of Grace is Faith. Charles Spurgeon wrote “Grow in the root of all Grace, which is Faith. Believe God’s promises more firmly than ever. Allow your Faith to increase in its fullness, firmness, and simplicity.” Tim Keller wrote that “Certainly we should be very active in seeking God, and Jesus himself called us to 'Ask, seek, knock' in order to find him: In Matthew 7:7-8 Jesus says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Yet those who enter a relationship with God inevitably look back and recognise that God’s Grace had sought them out, breaking them open to new realities.”
J. I. Packer wrote “I am graven on the palms of His hands. I am never out of His mind. All my knowledge of Him depends on His sustained initiative in knowing me. I know Him, because He first knew me, and continues to know me. He knows me as a friend, One who loves me; and there is no moment when His eye is off me, or His attention distracted for me, and no moment, therefore, when His care falters.”
Rick Warren wrote "And you know, when you’ve experienced Grace and you feel like you’ve been forgiven, you’re a lot more forgiving of other people. You’re a lot more gracious to others.”
Ravi Zacharias wrote that "At the core of the Christian Faith is the Grace of God. If there’s one word I would grab from all of that, it’s forgiveness – that you can be forgiven. I can be forgiven, and it is of the Grace of God. But once you understand that, I think the ramifications are worldwide.”
Karl Barth wrote “Grace must find expression in life, otherwise it is not Grace.” You will find Grace on earth in this life.
Charles Stanley wrote “Thank the Lord for using each person as a tool in your life to deepen your insight into His Grace and conforming you to the image of His Son.” Our divine purpose is the become increasingly like Christ.
John Owen wrote that “The house built on the sand may oftentimes be built higher, have more fair parapets and battlements, windows and ornaments, than that which is built upon the rock; yet all gifts and privileges equal not one Grace.” Philip Yancey said that “I wrote a book on Grace, and Grace is a free gift, but to receive the gift you have to have your hands open. And a lot of people don’t have their hands open, there’s something they’re grasping because there’s a lot of things to grasp in a prosperous country.”
When we comprehend the magnitude of this gift from God, it humbles us. We realise we receive love so vast and profound that it surpasses human comprehension. This moment of understanding can bring a significant shift in our perspective, reminding us of our worth in God's eyes and our dependence on His mercy. The beauty of Grace is its transformative power. Once we fully grasp its meaning, it changes how we view ourselves and our relationship with God. It emphasises that our salvation isn't something we can earn or lose based on our actions—it's a steadfast promise from God, rooted in His infinite love for us. This realisation liberates us from the burden of perfectionism and self-condemnation, allowing us to embrace our imperfections, sins, and failures as part of our unique journey. Furthermore, it instills deep gratitude towards God, fostering a more intimate and authentic relationship with Him.
Understanding Grace is about acknowledging our human frailty and accepting God's unfathomable love. It's about letting go of our futile attempts to earn and deserve God's favour and finding peace in the assurance of His unchanging love and acceptance. It's a divine gift that transforms lives, heals hearts, and renews the soul.
Grace isn't merely a theological concept to be studied; it's a transformative force that should permeate every aspect of our lives. It influences our attitudes, behaviours, and interactions with others. Consider your daily life. When we allow Grace to guide our actions, we approach challenges with a spirit of cooperation rather than competition. We extend patience and understanding to those struggling and learn to value the process over the pursuit of perfection. Grace also helps us deal with failure and setbacks. It reminds us that our worth isn't defined by our performance, accolades, or achievements but by God's unchanging love for us. It cancels our insatiable addiction to external validation. Internalising this truth frees us from the pressure to be perfect and allows us to embrace the freedom, peace, and joy of knowing we are loved unconditionally exactly as we are.
Moreover, Grace fosters a sense of humility within us. Recognising that everything we have is a gift from our gracious God prevents us from falling into sin or the trap of pride or self-sufficiency. It encourages us to remain thankful, acknowledging God's hand in every success and achievement.
Another crucial aspect of Grace is its role in fostering resilience. Life is filled with challenges and obstacles. Sometimes, these trials can shake our Faith or cause us to question God's plans. However, understanding Grace can provide a fresh perspective on these 'difficulties'. When we realise that God's love for us is constant and unwavering, even when we stumble, sin, or fall, it gives us the courage to persevere. We begin to see challenges not as punishments but as opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on God.
Grace reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles. God's love and mercy are always available, providing comfort and strength in our weakest moments. This awareness can inspire us to face challenges with courage, knowing that our Higher Power is with us every step of the way.
Moreover, experiencing God's Grace in our own lives can motivate us to desire to extend the same compassion, forgiveness, and understanding to others facing difficulties. We become instruments of God's Grace, supporting and encouraging those around us.
In essence, Grace doesn't merely enable us to endure challenges—it empowers us to rise above them with Faith and resilience, transforming trials into testimonies of God's unfailing love and mercy.
Finally, living under the Grace of God means we're called to forgive as we've been forgiven. Just as God extends His Grace to us unconditionally, we are to extend Grace to others, even when they hurt us. This can be challenging, but it's an integral part of living a life characterised by the Grace of God.
Grace transforms our daily lives through these ways, forever shaping us into individuals who reflect God's love and mercy in our thoughts, words, and actions. It's a continuous journey to find Grace, bringing us closer to God and aligning us more with His will.
So, God gives us Grace, so gently as if touched by a feather, yet it changes everything through forgiveness, compassion, and by giving us strength. Why would anyone want to deny that?
We receive Grace by Faith. And Faith comes to our hearts from the Holy Spirit. But to receive the release of Faith in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, we must yield to him consistently. Our journey is one of ever deepening surrender.
We must be in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin wrote that “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” Amen to that.
Namaste.
Olly
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