Grace
Grace | |
RELATED TOPICS | |
SERMONS, ESSAYS AND OPINIONS | |
CONTENTS |
Grace, in Christianity, refers to God's love and salvation being poured out on people even though they don't deserve this love and salvation.
The theme of grace permeates through the Bble. For example, Romans 3:23 explains that each person has sinned, failing to completely love God and each other and fallen short of the glory of God. Despite our imperfections and failing that separate humans from a perfect and holy God, Scripture reveals that God loves us still. Nothing we do can restore us to a right relationship with God. It is only through faith in Jesus Christ, in his death and resurrection that we can return to God.
Biblical passages and concepts about grace
The word grace is never defined in the Bible. The word appears in the English Old Testament a dozen or so times, most commonly translated from the Hebrew, "chesed". This has also been translated as "loving-kindness".
In contrast, the word grace is found hundreds of times in the New Testament, translated from the Koine Greek word, "charis", which also means gift. John 1:17 states that "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." Although the word is not used into the gospels many times, the concept of grace is seen in Jesus' teaching, parables, miracles and death and resurrection. The parable of the Prodigal Son is a wonderful example of grace.
The apostle Paul explains in Romans 4:23-24 that "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
Peter tells us to "set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed" (1 Peter 1:13) and that we worship the "God of all grace" (1 Peter 5:10). In Hebrews we are told that we may approach "the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
Related concepts
Sin
Forgiveness
Justification
Salvation
Quotes
U2
- Grace makes beauty out of ugly things
Links
Return to Christianity -> Christian doctrine and debates
Note to users: The wiki is currently operating in safe mode. Editing is limited to users with certain privileges in order to deal with spam. You can create a new user account, and confirm your email ID in order to obtain ability to edit pages. Learn how to be an editor or sysop at WikiChristian.
- Sister projects: WikiMD.com Wellness Encyclopedia & Directory
- Sponsors: WikiChristian is supported by W8MD's medical weight loss and sleep centers.