Grace is a profound expression of God’s amazing love and one of the most beautiful words in Scripture. In general, it means unmerited favor. It is the act of God extending kindness when judgment is deserved. Grace is central to Christian theology, reflecting both God’s sovereignty and mercy. Grace is a doctrine that points to God’s nature and magnifies His glory. As such, it draws believers to deepen their walk with God via worship and obedience.
The word grace is featured prominently in the Bible, appearing about 225 times. The term not only describes a divine action, it also reflects God’s nature. From a biblical point of view, grace then, refers to what God desires to give, what He is, and what He does.
The word grace appears more than 155 times in the New Testament. The root word in the original text is Charis, which literally means charmed, unexpected, or unmerited favor. Though strongly identified as a New Testament term, grace has a prominent foundation in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word Chen (later translated charis in the Greek Septuagint text and grace in English translations) expresses divine favor and appears approximately 70 times in the Old Testament
Grace is a powerful word—more than referencing kindness and generosity, biblical grace is an expression of kindness in the face of obstinance, defiance, and violence.
In the Reformed theological perspective, Grace is not understood as an isolated idea or act, but as an expression of God’s nature. Like love, grace is a descriptor of who God is as much as it describes what He does. Grace then, is integral to the unfolding of God’s plan of redemption. Indeed, Scripture notes that it is the kindness of God that leads one to repentance. This is grace.
Interestingly, regarding grace, the emphasis and initiative rest with God. God moves first and loves first. God’s grace intercedes where humanity fails, and is ultimately manifested in Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, which makes salvation by grace, not works, possible. In this, we see the overwhelming mercy and love of God, and the sufficiency of Christ’s work on the cross.
Finally, grace should be understood as linked to God’s Word, which presents a message of hope and grace. Scripture emphasizes that grace heightens our sinful state and need for a Savior. His Word is a gift of grace; it provides an understanding of God’s patience and forbearance, the amazing ministry and sacrifice of Christ, the price that was paid for our salvation, and how God’s love is always greater than our sin. In summary, Christianity views the grace of God as overwhelming and penetrating. It surrounds God’s decrees, guides His actions, and miraculously and mercifully allows humanity to be restored into a right relationship with God. Grace is inexorably linked to God, and manifested in the words and work of Christ.
The fundamental nature of Grace compels all believers to understand, embrace, and share God’s grace in word and deed.