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Understanding Grace: A Fundamental Concept in Christianity Part Two: The Biblical Basis of Grace

Last week, we looked at the key characteristics of grace. This week, we will consider its biblical basis. Grace is undeniably a recurring theme in the Bible, running like a thread throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Biblical examples and key verses tie together the overarching narrative of God's relationship with His people. 

Grace in the Old Testament

The presence of grace in the Old Testament is a precursor to Christ's ultimate act of grace in the New Testament; the offer of salvation and reconciliation to all who believe. 

Examples:

+God expressed grace by creating and gifting us everything (Genesis 1)
+God’s grace protected Noah and his family (Genesis 6)
+God showed grace to Abraham by making a covenant with him (Genesis 12)
+God graced Joseph with perseverance (Genesis 50)
+God delivered the Israelites to The Promised Land (Exodus 6)
+God graced Rahab with His mercy (Joshua 2)
+God utilized Ester as a tool to save the Jews. (Ester 4)
+God’s grace overlooked David’s multiple shortcomings (Psalm 51)
+God’s grace mirrors His character (Psalm 103)
+God’s grace saved Daniel (Daniel 6)
+God’s grace never gave up on Jonah (4)

Key Verses:

Grace in the New Testament

In the New Testament, the concept of grace is most prominently revealed through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. His interactions with sinners, outcasts, and those considered unworthy by societal standards demonstrate God's boundless love and forgiveness.

Examples:

+God shows us grace by providing us with His Word (Matthew 4)
+God’s grace healed a paralyzed man (Mark 2)
+God taught grace through parables (Luke 15- The Prodigal Son; Luke 10- The Good Samaritan)
+God expressed grace by sending His Son to save us from sin (John 3)
+God’s grace expressed unconditional love for Peter (John 21)
+God’s grace transformed Saul into the Apostle Paul (Acts 9)
+God’s grace is used to serve Him (Romans 1)
+God’s grace exemplifies Christian living (2 Corinthians 12)
+God’s grace denotes salvation (Ephesians 2)
+God’s grace provides for our needs (Philippians 4)
+God’s grace helps us through trials (James 1)

Key Verses:

As You Can See

Throughout the Bible, grace encapsulates the core message of God's love, forgiveness, and salvation offered to humanity. It is a unifying thread that runs through both the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing God's unmerited favor and the redemptive work He offers to all who believe.

-Torrance Church of Christ

Understanding Grace: A Fundamental Concept in Christianity Part One: Key Characteristics of Grace

Grace is a recurring theme in the Bible, holding a foundational place within Christianity. However, do we genuinely comprehend the core of grace? Over the next seven weeks, we will explore various facets of grace to attain a more profound and comprehensive understanding of this divine gift bestowed upon us by God.

Starting With The Basics, What Is Grace?

Merriam-Webster defines grace as:

Grace can be understood as the unmerited favor, love, and mercy of God extended to us. It encompasses God’s benevolent disposition toward humanity, His boundless love and generosity. 

Key Characteristics of Grace

Aiming to unravel the complexities of grace, explore its significance, and shed light on its profound impact on our lives, today, we will focus on key characteristics that grace embodies.

Grace is Unearned Favor: Grace is often described as God's unearned and undeserved favor. It means that God's love and blessings are given freely, regardless of a person's actions or worthiness. It is a gift freely given by God.

Grace is Abundant with Love and Compassion: Grace reflects God's deep love and compassion for humanity. It shows that God cares for all of us deeply and is willing to extend His love and favor even when it is not deserved.

Grace Harbors Transformative Power: Grace has the power to transform lives. It inspires us to live a righteous and loving life. This encourages spiritual growth, supporting us to become more Christ-like in character.

Grace Highlights Redemption and Salvation: Grace is at the core of salvation. Through God's grace, we can receive forgiveness and reconciliation with Him. This means that, despite our human imperfections and sinful nature, we can be saved and have eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

Grace is a Bridge to God: Grace serves as a bridge between humanity and God. It's through God's grace that we can approach God with confidence, knowing that He is our Father who will help, guide, and support us, always wanting us to succeed.

Grace Promises Compassion and Mercy: It teaches that, no matter how far we may have strayed from God or committed sins, we can turn to God's grace for forgiveness and restoration. 

Grace Provides Hope and Comfort: In times of hardship and suffering, grace offers hope and comfort. We can find solace in the belief that God's grace sustains us through difficult circumstances and provides strength to persevere.

Grace Advocates Unity: Grace emphasizes the equality of all believers before God. It doesn't matter one's past or current circumstances; everyone has access to God's grace. 

Grace is Sufficiency: God's grace is seen as sufficient to meet all of humanity's needs, providing everything necessary for a meaningful relationship with God and a life of faith.

Grace Enhances the Ability to Love: Grace exemplifies God's boundless love for humanity. It is through experiencing and understanding this grace that we are inspired to love and serve others selflessly. Grace encourages us to show compassion, kindness, and forgiveness to others as a reflection of the love we have received from God.

Grace Promotes Humility and Gratitude: Understanding grace encourages humility among us, as we recognize our dependence on God's mercy. It also fosters gratitude for God's love and salvation, leading us to live a life of thankfulness and service to others.

Grace Offers Empowerment: Grace extends to daily living. It provides the strength and guidance for us to live a life that reflects God's love and character. This empowerment enables us to overcome challenges, grow spiritually, and extend grace to others in our interactions.

Winding Up

In essence, Grace is a connecting link between humanity and God that represents the profound manifestation of God’s love and mercy that enables us to establish a profound relationship with Him, find forgiveness for our sins, and attain salvation. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's love and favor are freely given, unearned, and available to all who seek Him. 

-Torrance Church of Christ

Proverbs to Live By Part 2

Not Too Long Ago…

Previously we had shared a post full of Proverbs full of great insight and wisdom. They are a prominent source of valuable information that one could use to shape their actions, attitudes, and words to live a more Christlike life. Today, we are sharing more of these profound messages Solomon wrote for us. 

If you missed our first post with Proverbs to live by, check it out here. 

Getting Into It

Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

Proverbs 14:7

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Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.

Proverbs 25:28

 

Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them.

Proverbs 29:20

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Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

Proverbs 20:15

The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Proverbs 12:26

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Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.

Proverbs 26:4

Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.

Proverbs 29:11

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Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.

Proverbs 18:2

Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

Proverbs 11:17

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When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.

Proverbs 21:15

The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.

Proverbs 18:23

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Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.

Proverbs 13:20

Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways.

Proverbs 3:31

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The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

Proverbs 15:28

As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.

Proverbs 26:11

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The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.

Proverbs 20:29

All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

Proverbs 15:15

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Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.

Proverbs 21:13

In Short

Take time to ponder these scriptures, jot down your favorite verses in a journal, recognize the areas in your life that need improvement, and apply the underlying message of each verse to those areas and your life, share the verses with others, and always strive to become more Christlike. 

-Torrance Church of Christ