Definition of Grace, Understanding the meaning of grace, and more.

Note: Research shows that repetition enhances memory and understanding. In this complete definition of grace (i.e. the grace of God), I will intentionally incorporate some appropriate repetition of the concept through my use of the phrase “the grace of God” and my frequent reintroduction of the question “what is grace“. My goal is that by the time you finish reading this definition of grace, you will have a thorough understanding of the grace of God. I’ll divide my definition into two parts.

1) What is Grace: The Purpose of Grace

Before we look at the question “what is grace?”, let us first discuss the purpose of grace. Why was the grace of God given to us? Most of the time, if you understand the reason for which something is given, it’s much easier to understand the gift. The same is true here for the grace of God.
According to the Bible, the law was given to show us that we are sinful ( Romans 5:20; 7:7; 3:20, Gal 3:23-25). But the grace of God was given to turn us to God (Ephesians 2:8-10). Clearly, the Grace of God was not given so that we could merely learn about the concept of grace. Understanding grace is important but that alone will never change a life unless we move from the  knowledge and understanding of grace to the application of grace. We often know what to do, but we just don’t do it. The benefit comes from the application. Application makes all the difference. Because of that, this website is designed to be a comprehensive resource that will help you understand the grace of God and then provide resources to grow and live by grace. When you do that, your effort will be well spent.

Because of that, I encourage you to bookmark this page or write down the name of this website so that you can come back later and continue the process of learning to  walk in grace. If you haven’t done so, please put your email to subscribe to our updates and get many free resources on grace. Now that I have said all that, what is grace?

2) What is Grace: Definition of grace

The grace of God is an extremely profound subject. The apostle Paul calls the gospel of Grace a mystery.  So as I define grace, I will link you to other pages on this website and outside to clarify certain words or concepts that I use use to answer the question of “what is grace.” Please, make sure to browse through the rest of the site to benefit from further understanding.

God, the father, is the source of Grace. Jesus Christ is the grace of God. Because grace comes from God, it takes God to understand grace fully. God does that through his holy spirit who will open your eyes as you read this page and the scriptures to understand his grace.

Grace is a covenant. Some people use the acrostic GRACE to represent Gods Riches At Christ’s Expense. That is a good a memory device but it doesn’t capture the whole meaning of God’s grace. God’s grace is his unmerited, undeserved, and unearned favor on those that have sinned.  The Greek word for Grace is “charis” and is used about 150 times in the New Testament of the Bible. The word refers to favor that God gives freely without expecting something in return. God provides his grace to us not because of anything we have done to earn it and not because of anything God desires to get from us. God gives his grace to us free of charge. All God encourages us to do is that we receive his grace and walk by grace. Because Jesus Christ is God’s grace (the person of Christ is God’s grace–please see a post by the title Jesus is God’s Grace), the only way to receive Grace is to receive Jesus Christ. When you have Jesus, you have God’s grace. And this grace is abundant! Regardless of how many sins a person has had or continues to have, grace is abundant enough pay for those sins. In fact, Paul writes that where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more. Because of God’s grace, God cannot punish a believer for his sins. Jesus already took the punishment and all believers are judged and treated well on account of what Jesus did, not because of what they have done. No sin is able to separate a sinner from God because Christ has paid for his sins.

Different facets of grace can be identified. Note that God’s grace is one, it just has many dimensions. As such, you cannot have saving grace but then lack enabling grace or the grace to die to self and submit to the Lordship of Christ.

1. Saving Grace: This dimension or facet of grace helps the unbeliever to come to Christ and become saved from hell and born into the kingdom of God. Ephesians 2:8-9 says “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
2. Enabling Grace: We are saved by grace (saving grace), but then enabling grace supplies the ability to live Christ honoring lives. This enabling grace also empowers us to follow the leading of the holy spirit–to hear Godspeaking to us. Enabling grace helps us to fulfill our various callings and honor Christ with our lives.
3. Grace to die to self and submit to Christ: This is a type of enabling grace. I set it apart here because of its importance. Romans 6:11 says you should “count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” God’s grace is the only thing that can make this death to happen.

So, with all this, what is grace? To understand Grace, you need to understand Jesus. Not only understand with the mind but also with the heart and submit to follow him where he leads you. When you submit, the anointing (the Holy Spirit) will teach you everything you need to know about grace (1 John 2:27). The grace of God is the engine that drives the life of a successful Christian. Grace is the pleasure that moves God to create and love man. As it is written “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Rev. 4:11 KJV. Also Psalm 135:6 says “The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths.” And Philippians 2:13 says “It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” This pleasure of God that moves him to will and to act is also God’s grace. So God’s grace moves God to act, it moves man to act according to God’s pleasure, it enables man to act according to God’s pleasure, it sustains us and equips us to walk in a manner that pleases God. To develop into the image of Christ. Without grace, no one can be saved, without grace, no one can stay saved, without grace, no one can grow as a Christian. Grace is the oxygen that the Christian needs to breathe.

Now that is our definition of grace, we now ask you, what is grace?

Please take the time to bookmark this page, save the website, and browse through the other pages to feed on the great content on this site. We enjoyed creating it and we believe it would be of assistance to you as you answer “what is grace” and then move on to walk by grace.

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