As we said in the last article, the word translated as grace, charis in Greek, is also translated as favor. Grace is defined as unmerited divine assistance given by God. It is free and undeserved. You do not, and cannot, work for grace. It is the unearned and unmerited love of God. It is often given to people who do not deserve it. The grace of God provides forgiveness, salvation, and the spiritual power that transforms lives.
The Hebrew word translated as grace is khen, and it often refers to finding acceptance or goodwill, particularly when God shows kindness to imperfect people.
Is grace different from favor? Definitely.
1. Grace is unmerited forgiveness and divine power working within and for you. Favor, on the other hand, is preferential treatment and external blessings working around you, such as open doors, promotions, and people going out of their way to support you.
2. Grace is the power to be and do what you cannot do on your own. Favor is the access and opportunity you receive while doing it.
3. Grace is freely given kindness and divine empowerment. Favor is special approval, preference, or acceptance.
4. Grace provides the inner strength, patience, and wisdom needed to handle life or a specific calling. Favor changes the atmosphere surrounding you.
5. Grace gives you strength. Favor opens doors and places you in positions of influence and prosperity.
6. Favor puts you in a place of authority. Grace equips you to maintain it.
7. Grace is free; favor is often conditional.
In Genesis chapter 6, the whole earth was filled with wickedness. Every thought and imagination of the people was evil. It became so bad that God regretted making man in His image and likeness. He decided to destroy everyone and everything He had created. Yet the Bible says, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” If we consider God’s verdict concerning the whole earth, we may wonder what Noah did to find grace. I do not know what God saw in Noah, but He decided to bestow His grace upon him.
Grace is like an ornament or precious jewelry. Grace looks good on you.
Grace is a Spirit that God pours upon a man. In Zechariah 12:10, the Bible says:
“And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced…”
Grace was also upon Jesus as a child (Luke 2:40). He was full of grace (John 1:14).
Grace is always for a purpose.
1. There is saving grace.
This grace is made available to all men. It is the grace that draws you to God. No one merited or worked for this grace. We were all meant to pay the price for our sins. The Bible says, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.”But God, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, gave us grace to approach Him (Ephesians 2:5; Ephesians 2:8). Saving grace is a gift from God meant strictly for salvation.
2. There is grace for your growth and spiritual development.
This is the grace given for your building up and growth as a child of God. Acts 20:32 says:
“And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”
God has made available everything you need to grow into the fullness, stature, and measure of Christ.
3. There is grace for work or divine assignment.
The Bible says in Isaiah 11:1–4:
“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse…”
This passage describes the grace and anointing that rested upon Jesus Christ, enabling Him to fulfill His divine assignment. Jesus fulfilled His mission on earth because of the grace that rested upon Him.
In 2 Corinthians 6:1, we are instructed not to receive the grace of God in vain. This means you can neglect God’s grace to the point where it becomes unprofitable in your life. It does not mean God’s grace has failed; rather, you have failed to respond appropriately to it.
The grace of God can also be frustrated (Galatians 2:21). If you believe you have to work to earn God’s grace, then you are frustrating His grace. It is not by works. There is nothing you can do through human effort to earn God’s grace.
To frustrate means to disappoint, defeat, or hinder the accomplishment of something. In this context, it means preventing what God desires to accomplish in your life through grace because of your own efforts, pride, or unbelief.
The Bible also warns that you can fail of the grace of God (Hebrews 12:14–15). As long as you believe it is by works, you are bound to fail because grace can only be received by faith.
The throne of God is described as the throne of grace. There is an abundance of grace there. At that throne, there is always help. Hebrews 4:16 says we should come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The LORD gives grace to the lowly (Proverbs 3:34).
We believe through grace.
We are justified by grace (Romans 3:24).
The LORD gives grace and glory (Psalm 84:11). He is also gracious and full of compassion (Psalm 103:8).
Enjoy His grace, child of the Most High.