Written by Bob Williams
Introduction
The Greek word charis {khar'-ece} is most often translated as grace or favor and is found approximately 156 times in the NT. This definition is given by Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon: "That which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech; good will, loving-kindness, favor; of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues."
The word grace has to do with that which is wonderful and beautiful. Charis actually comes from the root word chairo {khah'-ee-ro} which is found another 77 times. It means to be glad and to rejoice exceedingly. Philippians 4:4 says, "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice." Surely as Christians we have a lot to rejoice about, because God has given us His grace, and that is surely a most wonderful thing! In fact, that is how I would define grace: God doing a wonderful thing. 1 John 3:1 "Behold, what manner of love…. John is saying, stand up and notice: God is doing a wonderful thing! And that is what grace is all about.
Grace is God's love
- John 3:16-17: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through Him."
- Galations 4:4-5 God sent forth His Son so that we could be redeemed
- Ephesians 1:3-8a Every spiritual blessing is in Christ
- Ephesians 2:1-9 We are saved by grace through faith (2 Timothy 1:9)
- Ephesians 2:13-16 Brought near by the blood of Christ
- Ephesians 3:6-8 Even Paul was given grace
- Ephesians 3:14-19 Paul prays that we would come to truly know the love of God and Christ
- Colossians 1:13-22 Redeemed and reconciled by Christ
- Colossians 2:13-14 Forgiven of trespasses by the cross
- Acts 4:12 Peter said there is salvation in no one else but Jesus
- John 14:1-6 Jesus Himself said that He is the only way
Grace cannot be earned
- Romans 1:18-3:20 Gentiles guilty; Jews guilty; whole world is guilty before God
- Romans 3:23-25 All have sinned, but we are justified (judged as righteous) through Christ
- Romans 4:1-4, 16 Abraham was justified not by works, but by grace (11:6)
- Acts 15:10-11 Gentiles and Jews saved through grace of the Lord Jesus
- Romans 5:1-2, 6-9 Through Christ and His sacrifice we get mercy and grace
- Romans 5:15-21 All are guilty of sin just as Adam was, but we are all saved through Jesus Christ
- James 2:10 "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all."
- Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
- Romans 10:3-4 Can't be righteous on our own
- Philippians 3:9-10 Paul couldn't be righteous on his own; only in Christ
- Galations 2:21 If we could be saved on our own, then Christ died in vain
- Isaiah 64:6 "All our righteous deeds are like filthy garments."
Grace is getting better than we deserve
- Justice = getting what we deserve
- Mercy = not getting what we deserve
- Grace = getting what we don't deserve
- John 3:14 Brass snake was lifted up (Numbers 21:4-9)
- Matthew 9:12-13 Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick…. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
- James 4:6 God gives grace to the humble
- Ephesians 4:7 Grace given according to the measure of Christ's gift
- Luke 7:36-50 Moneylender who had two debtors
- Jonah 4:1-2 Jonah didn't think Ninevah deserved to be saved
- Matthew 20:1-16 Parable of the householder
- Luke 23:39-43 The thief on the cross forgiven
- Luke 18:9-14 Parable of the Pharisee and the publican
Grace is Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf
- Matthew 20:28 Jesus came "to give His life a ransom for many." (1 Timothy 2:6)
- Acts 20:28 Paul said, "The church of God [was] purchased with His own blood."
- Revelation 5:9 Purchased by the blood
- 1 Corinthians 1:30 We are in Christ because of Christ
- 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 Sin on our behalf
- 2 Corinthians 8:9 He became poor so that we could become rich
- Galations 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law
- 1 Peter 1:18-19 Redeemed with precious blood of the Lamb
- 1 Peter 2:21-24 He bore our sins on the cross
- Isaiah 53:1-12 He bore the sins of many; our iniquity fell on Him
- Hebrews 10:1-4; 9:11-14, 22, 28 He bore the sins of many by the shedding of blood
Grace Illustrated
- Luke 15:4-7 Parable of the lost sheep
- Luke 15:8-10 Parable of the lost coin
- Luke 15:11-32 Parable of the lost son
Grace is Jesus Christ on the cross!
1 Corinthians 1:18 "For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
2 Corinthians 9:15 "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift."
Matthew 26:36-27:54 The story of the cross
