What Is God's Grace?
What do you think of when you hear the expression “God’s grace”? Do you think of God’s “unmerited favor” toward us? Does, “for by grace are you saved,” come to mind? Grace impacts every aspect of God’s dealing with humanity.
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)
"But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6)
We find the term "grace" throughout the Bible as a gift and energy of God. But what is God's grace, and how does it relate to us?
We experience God's grace because God is gracious. In Exodus 34:6, when God shows himself to Moses, we read, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." Gracious is used here as an adjective describing God. It is one of His attributes.
Gracious, the Hebrew word channun, in its verb form, means to be considerate, to show favor. That God is gracious would mean that he is favorably inclined toward us. That He wants to show favor to us. To do what is best for us.
God is gracious. Graciousness is not something that he puts on and takes off, depending on the situation. He is always gracious. He does not decide to show us grace. Rather, it is just who he is. Because He is gracious, He demonstrates grace in everything he does.
Grace Definition: God’s Action
Grace is the Hebrew word chanan or the Greek word charis, meaning “the state of kindness and favor toward someone, often with a focus on a benefit given to the object.” (Strong’s Greek 5485).
Grace is what God does because he is gracious. Every action of God toward us involves his grace. His creation, providence, conviction of the sinner, gift of salvation, equipping of the saints, and the future He has prepared for us. All of this is due to God's grace.
"He has delivered you from your slavery to the devil, sending down not one of the angels but His Only-begotten Son to redeem you, not at the price of corruptible gold and silver, but by His priceless blood and His most painful and degrading death. Having done all this, He protects you, every hour and every moment, from your enemies; He fights your battles by His divine grace." ~ From Unseen Warfare by Theophan the Recluse.
