Vital Signs: Thursday, January 2, 2024

The Gift of Grace

But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise, grace is no longer grace (Romans 11:6, NASB).

Grace is mentioned about 130 times in the New Testament alone.Grace gives hope to the hopeless, joy to the sorrowing, faith to the faithless, and life to the dying. The word charis ("grace") comes from a root meaning "to be joyful," and the word is always associated with happiness and joy.Grace means that God is for us even when we are against Him.

Grace refers to the active love of God streaming continually and generously, like sunshine from the sun. Augustine said it is not grace unless it is gratis—that is, free. The word "grace" conveys the idea of generous gifts tied to redemption and all that accompanies it.

There could have been no grace for us except for the fact that God the Son volunteered to take our place and redeem us: Grace... came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17).

Happy New Year!