The Church has been wrestling with the concept of grace for ages. In fact, ever since the reformation of the 1500s when Luther, Calvin and Zwingli helped usher in the start the reformation from the corruption of the Catholic church, theologians and pastors have wrestled with the simply awkward definition of Grace as “Unmerited Favor.” To be honest, many doctrines the church has embraced and taught today came out of an over-correction of errors that the Catholic church was steeped in. When there is an over-correction of concepts often the new “Version” is flawed as well. The word and concept of “Grace vs Works” is one of them.
So What is Grace? Since becoming a follower of Jesus in 1969 I myself have struggled with the definition of such an important part of my faith. I have read countless books describing grace and all of them seem to fall flat compared to what I read in the New Testament on the subject. Shouldn’t the definition of “Grace,” which seems so closely related to the subject of “Mercy,” be more relatable and believable than “Undeserved Favor” as it sounds like a modified version of mercy? When I read the New Testament the idea and subject of Grace seems to capture the idea of “Enabling Power” more than something that is just unmerited.
So let’s look at the word given in Greek and then see if there isn’t more to the story of Grace than we have been told. In the Greek language, the word grace is charis; from which charisma is derived. Charis is a secular Greek word that the apostles chose to use for a spiritual purpose. Think about that for a minute. Do you think the church tends to over spiritualize the word when in truth it comes from a secular word that everyday people used? Maybe the first century church understood a simpler, yet more related, idea of the word than we have for centuries.
Generally, the word means a kindness given, favor bestowed, a gift. It is a term often used for when someone of greater stature is generous toward a lesser person by offering them a kindness, a gift or favor. This implies a practical idea, not just some spiritual concept.
Charis most often was used for an artistic or poetic purpose. For instance, when we see a bride in her dress we might say, “She looks so graceful.” We are being poetic; we are making an aesthetic statement. However, Charis also had a lesser used ethical meaning as well. If we were left with no more understanding than this, it would seem an odd word to explain God’s grace. However, there was more to this word as it began to be used in a different context in which “Force or Power” was implied in the giving, not just a position of favor. We could easily speak of “Saving Grace” and “Empowering Grace” and the meaning still conveys the same idea of power imparted.
It is important to understand that the apostles were looking for language to communicate something beyond prior human experience. Finding the right words can be challenging at the least and often not perfect. They were choosing the best words available to help people understand how the Holy Spirit engages humans at salvation, and the power given moment by moment as we walk out the personal process of transformation. It is not something simply given at the moment of salvation, it is to be lived from moment by moment, throughout our lives.
There are many Scriptures that support the thought that the power of God is what sustains us, keeps us, and empowers us to be exactly what He created us to be—sons and daughters who overcome darkness and shine with His light.
So a few questions about the old definition of the word grace:
1) If Grace is “Unmerited Favor” -Why does God only give grace to the Humble? Shouldn’t everyone get grace as it is “Unmerited”?
James 4:6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives “GRACE” to the humble.
1 Peter 5:5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives “GRACE” to the humble
2) If Grace is “Unmerited Favor” – How could Jesus “Grow” in grace?
Luke 2:40 The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
3) If Grace is “Unmerited Favor” – How could we possibly fall from grace?
Galatians 5:4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
So we have just looked at a few passages that don’t seem to relate to unmerited favor, but rather refer to power given. Mercy refers to unmerited favor or clemency.
Facts About Grace
- 170 passages that speak of grace in the bible and 39 are in the Old Testament.
- In the 4 gospels grace is only used 4 times
- Book of Acts 10 – Paul’s epistles 99 – book of James & Rev 17
Let’s look at passages that relate better to the idea of power or ability extended by the Holy Spirit and see how the unmerited idea doesn’t hold up. One of the more striking uses of the word is when the apostle Paul uses the concept of grace referring to God’s word to him about healing.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!
[8] Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. [9] And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. [10] Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.So in Paul’s own words he states that God says that in his weakness God will in fact make him strong, and he calls this “GRACE”. The idea is it is “God’s Empowering Presence” that makes him an overcomer, not his abilities or gifting or in this case his eye which seem to be failing. Isn’t it amazing that Paul, a man that walked in a healing gift, could not acquire healing himself? Just goes to prove everyone is not healed either because we confess God’s word or prayer till the cows come home. God’s power is still his and not our own. We may be stewards but we do not own the power.
Jesus spoke about and gave believers the Holy Spirit to empower them, but either through ignorance or refusal the believer can deny such power. Jesus intended that all believers would live a spirit “Filled Life” not a once in a while filled life.
In the book of Acts, Barnabas was sent out from the church in Jerusalem to see if the reports of Greeks or gentiles being saved was true. This was a whole new thing because up until now the church was comprised of only Jews getting saved. Look at what Barnabas discovered about grace.
Acts 11:21-23 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch.
[23] Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;Barnabas was filled with the Holy Spirit and he witnessed the Holy Spirit’s power being manifested in these new converts. When you see the power of the Holy Spirit it’s obvious it’s more than unmerited favor.
When Paul wrote to the various churches he always prayed for “God’s Grace” to be imparted and he wasn’t asking for unmerited favor but for power from above.
Colossians 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
When Paul wrote to the Philippian church he wanted to impart the understanding that they needed just like he needed “God’s Empowering Presence” his Grace, to walk though this life successfully. Not just will power but God Power.
Philippians 4:12-13 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
[13] I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.Let me leave you with one last passage from the Old Testament prophets who saw in the Spirit what believers could do if they were empowered by God. May the same be true of us who follow hard after God.
Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.
Questions:
1) Have you experienced the “Empowering Presence of God” in his Grace? It is the powerful presence of God that is a gift of God for all who believe (Rom 3:24)
2) If you are ready to experience the Grace of God in it’s fullness be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18)
May the Hoy Spirit empower us in a mighty way for Gods glory!
Pastor Dale
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