Grace 2

Understanding Grace#2 A look at some definitions Introduction: When a person works an eight-hour day and receives a fair day's pay for his time, that is a wage. When a person competes with an opponent and receives a trophy for his performance, that is a prize. When a person receives appropriate recognition for his long service or high achievements, that is an award. But when a person is not capable of earning a wage, can win no prize, and deserves no award--yet receives such a gift anyway--that is a good picture of God's unmerited favor. This is what we mean when we talk about the grace of God. Definitions of Grace Old Testament Graciousness i.e. biased favor or kindness (toward man). Unbiased beauty (of God) New Testament Greek – favorable regard toward a person, a gracious favor or benefit that is bestowed; God’s influence upon the heart and it’s manifestation in life. Other definitions The word that expresses a vital difference between human effort to win God’s favor and the way relationship is actually established. Grace is favor or kindness shown without regard to worth or merit & inspite of what is actually deserved. It speaks of the nature & character of the giver as opposed to what is earned speaks of the one receiving it. We must understand the difference between 3 theological terms: Justice- is getting what you rightly deserve. (Ex. 21:23-25) Mercy – is not getting what you do deserve. Old testament based upon Mercy. It had a mercyseat where the blood of bulls and goats made atonement once a year. (Heb 9:12) Grace- is getting what you don’t deserve. New testament is based upon grace. We now have a throne of grace. (Heb 4:16) (Everything we receive from faith is by grace, NOT EARNED BY FAITH) What Grace is Not. Divine permission to do what is wrong; actually divine power to do what is right. (Titus 2:11-12) Grace teaches us godliness. Not dead theological concept. Grace is not a theory we learn about but spiritual substance we experience. It is the essence of who God is. Not founded upon human performance. It originates from nature of God; not based on man or human performance. Not a passive attitude that God has, but a description of his nature and his action (Jesus’ coming) Not the ability to miserably tolerate a situation. Not cheap! Difference between free & cheap. Sometimes we don’t value what Jesus did because we don’t understand that it was paid for by the blood of Jesus.