Grace: The gift that keeps on giving

Over the next few weeks we are going to look at the grace of God. What is grace?

Ephesians 1:7 says, “Since we are now joined to Christ, we have been given the treasures of redemption by His blood – the total cancellation of our sins – all because of the cascading riches of His grace.” This verse tells us that we have been given the treasures of redemption … all because of the cascading riches of His grace.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”

The word used for “grace” in our verses in the original Greek language is “cháris”, Strong’s G5485. Cháris is defined as something which affords [gives] joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness. It is a blessing or benefit, gift or favour. Not just any favour but unconditional, unmerited, indescribable favour from God.

I heard recently that God shows us both mercy and grace but the two things are distinct from each other. God’s mercy withholds the punishment which we deserve because of our sins and grace gives us blessings which we do not deserve and which we have not earned. They work together. So, it is by God’s mercy that we have been forgiven our sins and it is by His grace that He then gives us His blessings and the treasures of redemption. I think that is just beautiful. God is perfect and I believe in Him is the perfect balance of everything we need.

It is God’s heart to extend joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm and loveliness into our lives. We are saved by grace. Other translations of Ephesians 2:8-9 say that we are saved by grace through faith. The word used for “saved” is the Greek word “sozo”. It means to save, make whole or heal.  Now in the context of our verse this means that we are saved, made whole and healed by grace. We are given these things-salvation, wholeness and healing that we don’t deserve, by grace through faith. Grace is what makes these things available to us. Faith is what enables us to receive the gifts which grace seeks to give.

Grace is always reaching out to us. Grace does not care what you past looks like. Grace is not intimidated or afraid. Grace reaches out and waits for the moment that we reach back in faith to receive it. Grace wants to give. It never seeks to take.

John 1:14 tells us that “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Matthew 20:28 says, “For even the Son of Man did not come expecting to be served by everyone, but to serve everyone, and to give his life in exchange for the salvation of many.” Jesus, did not come to take anything away from us. He came so He could give something to us. Salvation.

Grace is a giver and what an amazing blessing that God extends such grace to whoever will receive it. Whatever you need grace for in your life, grace is already looking for you. Waiting for you to receive it. Hebrews 4:16 tells us how we can get this grace. It says, “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” All we need to do is pray. We go boldly to our heavenly Father so we can receive His mercy for our shortcomings and while we are there, we will find grace to help us when we need it the most.

Love and blessings,

Melissa Tsingano.