Bible Study: Understanding Grace

What is grace? Is it “unmerited favor?” Is it so mysterious as to be impossible to understand and explain? No.

To be sure, this word, grace, is presented in several ways. The Blue Letter Bible reports 156 instances of this word in the King James Version.

1. grace
   1. that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech
2. goodwill, loving-kindness, favor
   1. 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
   1. the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace
   2. the token or proof of grace, benefit
      1. a gift of grace
      2. benefit, bounty
4. thanks, (for benefits, services, favors), recompense, reward

But, what is the fundamental meaning of this word, grace?

χαίρω (G5463), transliterated is spelled chairs and pronounced khar’-ece. This Greek word simply translates, gift. Example: Charismatic Christians emphasize and exercise spiritual gifts.

Is grace undeserved? Is favor undeserved? Yes. But the fundamental meaning of this Greek word is a gift. Now, the big question. What’s inside the gift?

Let’s focus on these two key verbs: to will and to do.

The verb to will: to decide upon or bring about by an act of the will.

The verb to do: to perform (an act, duty, role, etc.); to accomplish; perform; execute.

Consider these Bible verses.

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace [the power and the desire to do God’s will] you have been saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one should boast.“

Philippians 2:13 “For God is the One working in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure.“

Romans 3:23-26 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace [the power and the desire to do God’s will] through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith, in His blood, for a demonstration of His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins previously committed, to prove His righteousness at this present time so that He might be just and be the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.“

God’s grace is the gift of a desire to do His will and the power (ability) to do it.

God will never lure us into doing evil. When we “feel led” to do evil, this manifests our sinful nature.

If you listened to the conversation between Russell Brand and Tucker in the video, you will discern how they were moved by the power and desire to God’s will.

This supernatural gift of grace relates to another word, vocation, a strong impulse or desire to follow a particular activity or career. A related word is calling: vocation, profession, or trade; a call or summons; a strong impulse or inclination.

Etymology: Latin vocātiōn- (stem of vocātiō) a call, summons, equivalent. to vocāt(us) past participle of vocāre to call

If you have a morally healthy desire, you have a calling to a specific action. You can be confident that God has given you the power to succeed in your calling.

There are attributes of a calling from God, like goodwill, kindness, generosity, etc.

Limited examples of a calling include a desire to become a wife, a doctor, or a fireman. They can also include becoming a salesman, a generous friend, or an anonymous donor. Visiting a nursing home, and so on, are also examples.

John White
Rockwall, Texas