Understanding Grace : Understanding Grace Lesson 2
Grace a look at some definitions : Grace a look at some definitions 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 : Definitions of Grace Old Testament
Hebrew- 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 : 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! : Everything we receive from faith is by grace, NOT EARNED BY FAITH!
What Grace is Not: : 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.