In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as grace or gracious is chen, which means favor or charm. It is derived from the root word chanan, meaning to bestow kindness, favor, mercy. It is used to describe instances where God shows favor to His people despite their flaws and shortcomings. It relates to the word, chesed, meaning mercy, lovingkindness.
In the New Testament the Greek word used for grace is charis. It refers to good will, lovingkindness, unmerited favor, especially God’s mercy bestowed. It also refers to the divine influence and power of the Holy Spirit upon the human heart. So, the New Testament concept of grace speaks of God’s undeserved gifts that give us inner strength and stretch our capacities because they come from God’s capacities within us through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. This means something wonderful and powerful as we grasp hold of the reality that “grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).
RELEVANCE
We can easily undermine aspects of God’s grace poured out by the Holy Spirit. Consider the following aspects of God’s grace.
Empowering and equipping dimension of grace: In 2 Corinthians 9:8 Paul relates to this as an abounding grace of “having all sufficiency in all things” and having “an abundance for every good work.” As we apply trusting faith, the Holy Spirit strengthens us to do things that might seem beyond our normal ability or reach.
Relational dimension of grace: This fosters the ability to engage in an active and dynamic relationship with God through Christ, “in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him” (Ephesians 3:12). This includes, as with all relationships, the capacity to communicate; which encompasses speaking to God, and likewise, hearing His voice speaking through His Word and Holy Spirit.
Sanctification dimension of grace: This grace operates in our inner being to cleanse, purify and strengthen our inner spirit by the Holy Spirit. In setting us apart from sin, the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying grace flows to regenerate our inner being. This is how the Holy Spirit applies the grace of redemption and fills us with His joy! “God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:13).
Truly, God offers us abundant dimensions of grace. He shows us favor and mercy through His lovingkindness, even when we turn our backs on Him or even betray Him. Grace truly is unearned, unmerited favor that God bestows upon us as proof of His covenant with us. This is why throughout the Bible, we see God consistently finding ways to show grace and mercy to reconcile with a hard-hearted, fearful, ignorant, hurting humanity.
It’s crucial, therefore, that we see there’s real power in the combination of grace and truth, or mercy and truth. Consider that mercy and truth radiate from God’s heavenly throne. They flow outward from the very face of God. This may be difficult to comprehend, but grace and mercy combined with truth from God’s perspective are the very components determining God’s divine righteousness and justice.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;
Mercy and truth go before Your face.
(Psalm 89:14)
That’s why grace and truth are the very components of the foundation of God’s kingdom. It’s also what Jesus came to exhibit and express through His life.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth…16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:14-17)
Meditate on this huge reality. Paul gained huge revelation of the power of God’s grace mixed with His truth. It is what brought great transformation into his life. Consider this snippet where he expresses what grace means to him and has done for him. Let it encourage you to likewise embrace the beauty of God’s grace as you pursue truth.
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
Truly, God’s love and compassion toward us is huge. It’s hard for us to comprehend, especially when the context of our own life may have experienced little of it. But it’s real. God’s love and truth are central to His character and covenant with us. He wants us to know this and build our faith upon this reality.
So, we see God’s love—His grace and truth—illustrated through the life and stories of Jesus. God sees it as the foundation of our relationship with Him. It is certainly the foundation of His covenant with us.
Truly, God is good. He sent His Son Jesus to compensate for all our shortcomings and bring redemption into our life. He paid all the necessary penalties for our sin and our salvation. He extends grace upon us and opens our heart to receive, perceive and discern truth. In His grace and truth, we experience real freedom of soul and joy to grow in faith and live in His overcoming strength and power. Thank You Lord!
REFLECT, RELATE AND RESPOND
Meditate on these realities of God’s love and the grace and truth of God, and the scriptures presented above. Meditate on the reality of being reconciled to God and the possibilities of experiencing His redemption in the various ways you need to see it in your life. Also meditate on the scriptures below.
REFERENCES
John 8:32; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:4-10; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Isaiah 40:31; Psalm 103