What is Grace?

The concept of free grace is what sets Christianity apart from world religions.  But what is it exactly, and why is it so important?  Throughout the history of the world, men have attempted to understand their relationships with a deity and with other people.  At the very core of every system of government, religion, or any other belief, there’s always a central belief or doctrine which upholds that system.  That core doctrine then serves as a foundation to support the residual structures, or sub-doctrines, each of which must be consistent with that encompassing central doctrine.

A prime illustration in the realm of government is the Constitution of the United States, where we weigh all decisions against that Constitution.  Some systems have used various sets of laws as their constitution while others have used either historical records of past performances of humanity, or new guidelines concerning man’s deeds.

Most systems of religious beliefs have also used some form of legal constitution in order to govern themselves with respect to their relationships with deity and mankind.  This is where Christianity is unique and where it excels above any other system of belief.  Its central doctrine is that five-letter word called “grace.”  This grace still serves as a guideline to qualify our other beliefs, but in Christianity, this central belief is not a law.

What is this thing called grace then?  If it’s the pillar of the Christian faith, it would seem necessary that it be well understood by all Christians.  Indeed, we use this term liberally in hymns and phrases of worship, but do we really understand its significance?

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One Response to “What is Grace?”

  1. Stanley Berry says:

    Re your article on the letter of James. Please note that he does not use the word ‘assembly’ in Ch2 vs 2. The Greek word is actually ‘synagogue’. Strangely, the only time in the NT when it is given this way. The Greek word is translated in every other occurance as synagogue, why have the translators chosen to hide this? The letter is in fact a Jewish letter ‘Christianised’ by the insertion of Jesus name and title in 1.1 and 2.1. The opening verse of Ch1 tells us to whom the letter is addressed.

    Regards, Stanley Berry
    Glasgow, Scotland, UK.

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