Our 77th Word is Grace

The simple definition is getting blessing when we least deserve it.

“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” (Romans 6:20)

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Even in our graceless culture, we still sometimes encounter the word grace. A God fearing aunt may offer to “say grace” over a meal. The fine print on a credit card statement mentions a “grace period.” A news story tells of a popular celebrity’s “stunning fall from grace.”

Of all the dazzling words in the Bible, grace might be the most beautiful, which is saying a mouthful. It is also one of the hardest to grasp.

Grace means ‘unmerited favor.” It’s the idea of getting blessings we don’t actually deserve.

As such, grace is mind bending. it’s not the way of the world, that’s for sure. When bad people do bad things, we don’t want our judges doling out grace. We want them throwing the book at thugs and lowlifes. This is why the Eastern notion of karma is so popular in Western culture, the thought of guilty people getting just what they deserve makes us stand up and cheer, at least until we remember our own sin. The inconvenient truth that we’re each guilty of treason against the King of the universe and deserving of the ultimate punishment? Big problem!

Except that God “does not treat us as our sins deserve! he governs by grace not karma! In history’s most shocking switcheroo, God took our sin and the harsh judgment it deserves and laid all that on Jesus. Then to undeserving sinners who put their trust in Jesus, He gives unimaginable blessing!

Karma says, “You deserve to pay.” Grace says, “It’s true, you do deserve to pay; however, since Jesus took the punishment you deserve, by faith you can have all the good things He deserves.” Think about that one for a moment.

Paul not only ended Romans by wishing his readers grace, he began the letter with a similar benediction. Alert readers note that he did this frequently in his New Testament letters.

The most likely reason for this endearing habit? Since the grace of God was easily the best gift Paul ever received, it was the one blessing he wanted most for everyone else.

Definitions can’t affect our hearts like stories can, so read two of the great stories of grace from the Bible. Start with the story of the lost sons in Luke 15: 11-32. Then check out the moving, mind boggling story of Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33: 1-20).

To quote an old West Texas cowboy, “If those stories don’t ring your bell, your clapper’s broke.”

Questions to Ponder

1. What’s something you need to take away from this quick look at grace?
2. What does grace mean to you?