Grace part 2

What does grace mean?  In a secular sense it is simply a refinement of movement, or to honor someone by your presence. But it can also mean a disposition to an act of kindness. In a religious context, it is a much bigger can of worms to unpack. The concept of grace appears in the old testament as well as the new. In the Hebrew old testament, the commonly translated grace, or favor is chen. It occurs 69 times and means the unmerited favor with others or with God. (but in some instances, it means elegance, as in speech). In the new testament Charis can refer also to elegance in speech, charm, loving-kindness, or good will.  But it is most often used as divine favor with God.  As in "Do not be afraid, Mary ; for you have found favor with God." Lk 1:30. The specifics of how it is dispensed or what vary from Catholicism to Protestantism.  However, we know some important things about it.

Namely, that it is unmerited favor from God and in the New Testament, and it is dispensed by Jesus.  It is through Jesus, that our sins have been forgiven and we have been allowed to enter into communion with God.  We become worthy of interacting with God, cleansed of our sins, and open to a relationship with Him through the sacrifice of his son.  This is the new covenant with Israel extended to the Gentiles (everyone else). 

We too, can show human grace to others because we are to be godly. As Luke quotes Jesus in Luke 6:33-37 “And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.³⁵ But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. ³⁶ Be merciful,just as your Father is merciful.” (NIV)  We are to do as Jesus did, showing kindness and understanding, and forgiving everyone who comes within our path. If we do, our reward will be great here and in heaven. Grace is a beautiful thing.  It has changed the world, and as we express it, it will continue to do so.