The Hebrew word is chen and it means graciousness, kindness, pleasant, precious, well-favored.
The Greek word is charis and it means graciousness, acceptable, benefit, favor, gift, joy, and liberality.
We also describe grace are the unconditional, undeserved, unmerited goodness and love of God.
GRACE IS THE KEY TO OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
“God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loves us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved…” Ephesians 2:5
GRACE WITH FAITH YOKES TO A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith.” Ephesians 2:8
“Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
GRACE IS GIVEN TO RESTORE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
“This is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10
GRACE LEADS US TO AN “ACT OF GRACE” IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this ACT OF GRACE.” 2 Corinthians 8:1-6
“As you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this ACT OF GRACE also.” 2 Corinthians 8:7
From this passage we learn that our “ACT OF GRACE” is evidence of our “abundance of joy” as others witness our “wealth of generosity” because we have chosen to give ourselves “first to the Lord…”Now our “ACT OF GRACE” isn’t done because we are commanded, but is it is done because we have a earnest desire to help and love others and God through His “ACT OF GRACE” has loved us. 2 Corinthians 8:8-9
Act of Grace
Giver Receiver Atoned Cleansed Exalted.
About the author:
Don and his wife Brenda have been married 48 years. They have two married sons Jason/Crista and Nicholas/Heather and four grandsons Luke, Ryker, Blake and Drew. Don is a graduate of the Gateway School of Preaching, Fairview Heights, IL, the Bristol Roads School of Biblical Studies, Flint, MI and he has a bachelor’s degree in religious education from Michigan Christian College. He has been preaching since 1979. He has preached at Pacific, MO; Howell, MI; Arnold, MO; Festus, MO; Dexter, MO; and De Soto, MO where he has served since 2007. He also serves the congregation as one of the elders. Don has done campaigns and meetings in several states and mission work in Cuba, India, and Jamaica. Don refers to himself as a “Minister” because he loves ministering to others and helping them learn about Jesus and growing in their relationship with Him.
De Soto church of Christ 