Grace. 

  • a quality of moving in a smooth, relaxed, and attractive way
  • the quality of being pleasantly polite, or a willingness to be fair and honest
  • approval or kindness, especially (in the Christian religion) that is freely given by God to all humans
  • a prayer said by Christians before a meal to thank God for the food
  • a period of time left or allowed before something happens or before something must be done

The Cambridge dictionary offers more than a few definitions when it comes to grace.

But what does grace really look like in the lives of those who love and follow God? Perhaps we can glean further insight into that by defining what grace isn’t and doesn’t do.

Grace isn’t just kindness.

We hear about grace a lot. We often think of grace as God being kind or nice to us, but grace goes infinitely beyond those qualities.

The grace of God is unmerited favour. God is giving us something we don’t deserve; through Jesus, He offers salvation to sinners who deserve death.

Thank God that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ!

Grace changes more than just our feelings.

Grace is not just the warm, fuzzy feeling that comes from being assured of our salvation. Grace changes our reality.

Grace transforms our status and relationship with God permanently –  from sinners who are separated from Him, to sons and daughters with a completely new identity: the righteousness of God in Christ. 

When we really understand that we are God’s children, it comes to shape the way we live our lives in a manner that looks more and more like Jesus.

Grace isn’t cheap. 

While grace may be free for us, and we can’t do anything to earn it… it cost Jesus everything.

Jesus left His heavenly glory, humbled Himself to become human, bore the weight of humanity’s sins and endured separation from God on the cross – all so that we could have access to this grace.

We all must make our choice about Jesus. It is a decision that determines our destiny. 

Grace doesn’t serve as a get-out-of-jail-free card.

Some of us think that grace is a “free pass” to do whatever we want without consequences.

A genuine understanding of God’s grace will change one’s heart. Knowing just how much we’re loved by God through the grace we’ve been given should move our hearts to turn away from our old ways.

Am I good enough to be saved?

As we fix our eyes on Jesus and His love for us, embracing our righteousness in Him, our lives naturally overflow with good works out of a place of love (Titus 2:11-12).

We shouldn’t live lives that cheapen grace, but ones that respond to it. A grace-filled life produces a focus on Jesus, godliness and good works.

Do our lives look like that?

Grace isn’t a concept – Grace is a Person. 

Finally, grace is personified and perfected in Jesus Christ. Like any gift, grace often reveals more about the giver than the receiver.

God didn’t hold anything back – He sent His beloved son to die for our sins and redeem us, so we can enter into a relationship with Him today. 

Grace isn’t so much about what we receive, but who God is. Will we simply receive Him today?