Church Words: Grace

Welcome to our new blog series, Church Words, where we take a closer look at the language we often use as Christians—words that are woven into the fabric of our faith but may be misunderstood or misused. You might feel like you should know what these words mean, and so you feel uncomfortable asking about them in a Bible class. Or maybe you are just beginning your study on Christianity, and you are unfamiliar with any of the language that Christians use. Either way, I hope this series is helpful to you!

As a Youth Minister, I began this series with our teens on Wednesday nights, helping them understand the depth and beauty behind terms like "church," "grace," and "baptism", or concepts like "marriage", "fasting", and "communion". Too often, we use these words without fully grasping their meaning or significance. This series invites us to pause and reflect on these key terms, uncovering their biblical roots, rich history, and the powerful truth they hold for us today. Join us on this journey of discovery, as we rediscover the words that shape our faith and help us live out the gospel with greater understanding and purpose.

*We have covered the concepts of "Church", "Faith", and "Holy". I really enjoyed working on those posts, and if you would like to read them then please click on them to follow the links.

-"The Church"

-"Faith"

-"Holy"

Grace

This post is addressing the word "Grace", so let's dive into this powerful and beautiful concept.

When we think of grace, it often brings to mind something gentle—perhaps a soft hug, a moment of kindness, or an act of mercy. It’s a word we hear frequently in Christian circles, especially in the context of God’s relationship with us. But what does "grace" truly mean in a Biblical sense?

Is it simply about kindness, or is there something deeper at play? Let’s explore the meaning of grace, its Hebrew and Greek roots, and how it is revealed in the Scriptures. Along the way, we’ll see how God’s grace is similar to the grace that parents extend to their children.

The Meaning of Grace

Grace in the Bible, especially when looking at the Old and New Testaments, is much more than just a warm, feel-good word. It’s a powerful and essential part of God’s character.

In the Old Testament, written primarily in Hebrew, the word for grace is chesed (חֶסֶד).

It’s a word often translated as "loving-kindness," "mercy," or "steadfast love." But what’s most important to understand is that chesed refers to God’s covenantal love—His commitment to His people, even when they don’t deserve it. It’s not just a casual kind of kindness; it’s a deep, relational, unshakeable loyalty. This word doesn’t suggest that God’s love is based on human merit; it’s freely given, extending far beyond anything Israel could have earned. It’s about a love that keeps promises, even when the other side falters.

Moving to the New Testament, we encounter the Greek word for grace: charis (χάρις).

The way that I understand this is that this is the mentality of God toward humanity—His intentional and undeserved favor. It is God's disposition to show kindness, not based on merit, but on His sovereign will (“sovereign” meaning: having supreme power or authority). This grace embodies God’s attitude of love and generosity, granting salvation and strength to believers.

It reflects God's constant, loving posture, offering forgiveness, empowerment, and transformation (Romans 5:17). As a mindset, grace is central to God's dealings with us, urging believers to live in humility and extend the same favor to others (Matthew 18:33, Ephesians 4:32).

Grace in the Old Testament

Though grace is most often discussed in the context of the New Testament, we see God’s grace at work throughout the Old Testament as well.

One of the first examples of grace in the Bible is found in the story of Noah. In Genesis 6:8, the Bible tells us that Noah “found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” The world at the time was corrupt, filled with violence and sin, yet Noah, in his righteousness, was chosen by God. This was not because Noah was perfect, but because of God’s grace toward him. Noah didn’t deserve salvation, but God, in His grace, spared him from the flood.

Another powerful display of grace comes when God responds to Moses’ plea after the Israelites had sinned by worshipping the golden calf. In Exodus 33:12-14, Moses begs God to continue leading the people, and God, in His grace, reassures Moses by promising, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Here, we see God extending grace to a people who had turned away from Him, demonstrating His mercy and willingness to remain with them despite their failures.

Psalm 103 beautifully reflects God’s grace as well. The psalmist writes about God’s compassion and mercy in verses 8-14, saying, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” It’s a picture of grace that forgives and restores, not based on anything Israel had done but entirely rooted in God’s steadfast love.

Grace and the Gospel

And now, it is brought to perfection.

In the New Testament, God’s grace reaches its pinnacle through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Romans 5:8, Paul writes, “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This is the ultimate act of grace—God offering salvation, not because we deserve it, but because He loves us so deeply.

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was not based on any merit we could offer. There was nothing we could do to earn His favor. Instead, God offered His grace freely, through Christ, so that all who believe in Him might be saved. It was because of His mentality toward us, His favor toward His creation, that He did this.

This grace invites us to respond. In the same way that children respond to their parents’ love—through trust, obedience, and love for them—we are invited to respond to God’s grace. In Titus 2:11-12, Paul writes, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.” God’s grace is not just something to receive passively; it calls us to live in a way that reflects the love and mercy we’ve been given.

God’s Grace and Parental Grace

As the Creator of the heavens and the Earth is our Father, we could have a better grasp at this idea through our own relationships we have with our children. There’s something very powerful about the way parents extend grace to their children, as we choose to show love and have the mentality of favoritism toward these tiny little humans who can't possibly repay us for what we do for them.

"Where there is grace, there is peace."

Parents often forgive their children’s mistakes without holding grudges. Children disobey, make poor choices, or forget things they’ve been asked to do—but parents, in their love, forgive and offer second chances. Similarly, God’s grace is an act of forgiveness, even when we’ve failed Him. It’s not about earning God’s love through perfect behavior; it’s about God’s unrelenting commitment to us, even when we fall short. Think back to the behavior of the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke chapter 15, verses 11-32. Without hesitation the father met his son in the field and was full of grace as he welcomed his son back home.

There’s also the aspect of grace that provides. Just as parents provide for their children’s needs, even when they haven’t earned it—providing food, clothing, shelter, and love—God’s grace provides for us. It’s not about merit; it’s about God’s generosity. In Matthew 7:9-11, Jesus compares the good gifts earthly parents give their children with the greater gifts God gives to those who ask Him. It’s a beautiful reminder that God's grace is abundant and gives us all we need.

Furthermore, grace is protective. Parents often sacrifice their own needs or comforts to protect their children, ensuring their safety and well-being. In the same way, God’s grace protects us—physically, spiritually, and emotionally. He shields us from harm, even when we don’t realize it. Think of the countless times God has provided for us, guided us, or intervened in ways that we may never fully understand. This protection is an extension of His grace, watching over us even when we are unaware.

Conclusion

Grace is one of the most important aspects of God’s character, and it’s woven throughout Scripture from the Old to the New Testament. From chesed to charis, grace is about God’s unmerited favor toward us. It’s His loving-kindness, His willingness to forgive, provide, and protect us—even when we don’t deserve it. And just as parents extend grace to their children, forgiving, providing, and protecting, so too does God extend His grace to us in ways we could never earn.

Grace is a gift, freely given, and it invites us to respond—to trust, to obey, and to live in light of the love and mercy we’ve received. Just as a child grows in love and respect for their parents through the grace they receive, we are invited to grow in our relationship with God through the grace He offers.

So, let us embrace that grace. Let it transform us and lead us to extend that same grace to others, reflecting the goodness of the One who gave it to us freely.