Poll: What is the best definition of God's Grace?

[Vine Abider]

Lots of talk about the scriptural word "grace." There are varying definitions given depending on who you listen to.  So what is grace really? 

(And if you think grace is something besides what is listed, let's hear what you think . . .)

[Vine Abider]

Interesting - guess no one has any interest in discussing grace . . .

[Neighbor]

Hi, As to personal application rather than recitation of definitions and Bible verses "grace" is an action verb. Grace is the actual action extending  God's mercy from everlasting to everlasting that I may appear as fully holy and therefore acceptable in the sight of Holy God.

 

p.s. That ought to generate some incoming.

[Vine Abider]

1 hour ago, Neighbor said:

Hi, As to personal application rather than recitation of definitions and Bible verses "grace" is an action verb. Grace is the actual action extending  God's mercy from everlasting to everlasting that I may appear as fully holy and therefore acceptable in the sight of Holy God.

 

p.s. That ought to generate some incoming.

Here is a quote from a John Piper blog where he is answering a write in question from someone named Heather. He starts out saying that there are certainly verses that portray grace as undeserved favor, but then other verses that go further, showing grace is also an ongoing supply in Spirit.

Grace as Power for Living

But then Heather rightly notices another group of passages, also in Paul, where he comes at grace a little differently.

• 2 Corinthians 9:8: “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” Now, that seems to picture grace as a power or an influence for obedience.

• 2 Corinthians 12:9: Jesus says to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

• 1 Corinthians 15:10: “By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder [that was the effect of grace] than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”

In all three of those texts — and they’re not the only ones — grace is not only a disposition or a quality or an inclination in the nature of God, but is an influence or a force or a power or an acting of God that works in us to change our capacities for work and suffering and obedience.

from here: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-is-grace#:~:text=Grace as Undeserved Favor&text (about halfway down the page "What is grace?))

[Vine Abider]

Just wanted to say that I think grace includes all the things listed in the poll, but that the 3rd one seems to include all of them.  That is, "grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:14)  So all we need is found in Him!

And I think grace is for our experience and enjoyment, that is, it is a supply to help right at the point where we need it in our lives. (and we can probably substitute "Christ" when we read "grace" in most instances)

[Jedi4Yahweh]

I like the old proverb:  Grace is getting something do not deserve and Mercy is NOT getting something you do deserve. 

I think of God's grace as His loving kindness towards sinners. For while we were sinners and haters of God, He paid the ultimate price for our redemption and has given us all the opportunity to repent and turn to him for his mercy and forgiveness and also to become His Sons and Daughters of his eternal Kingdom. 

 

[Marathoner]

5 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

Interesting - guess no one has any interest in discussing grace . . .

It turns into a pointless, fruitless argument. 

[Vine Abider]

12 minutes ago, Marathoner said:

It turns into a pointless, fruitless argument. 

Argument?!  That doesn't sound graceful!

BTW - "His favored supply" is also a favorite grace definition of mine.

[Marathoner]

10 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

Argument?!  That doesn't sound graceful!

BTW - "His favored supply" is also a favorite grace definition of mine.

Arguments are the rule, my friend. Look around. 

[Marathoner]

With regard to the subject of the poll, my answer is the grace of God is not simple enough to describe nor briefly quantify. I agree with our brother @Vine Abider about "favored supply" for that descriptive is broad enough to cover aspects of grace which include His life in us, and our life in Him.

However, part of that supply is how the Lord is with us at all times, and that He is faithful to teach us and discipline us as He sees fit. This is in keeping with the definition of grace expressed in the second chapter of Titus (verses 11 through 14). That's my understanding of "favored supply" and why it's my poll choice. 

Edited December 31, 2024 by Marathoner