GRACE | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 27, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 17.

GRACE.

FOLLOWING are some definitions of the word "grace," as given in the "Standard Dictionary," together with their Scriptural foundation:—

1. The unmerited love and favor of God in Christ, especially as shown in the salvation freely provided for mankind; hence, free gift.

"God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved); and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus; that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that [the grace] not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." Eph. 2 : 4-8; also Titus 2 : 11.

2. The divine influence acting within the heart, to regenerate, sanctify, and keep it.

"Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which hath not profited them that have been occupied therein." Heb. 13 : 9. "By the grace of God I am what I am; and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." 1 Cor. 15 : 10.

3. A state of reconciliation to God, of deliverance from the dominating power of sin, and of full participation in the enjoyment of God's favor and free gifts on the ground of Christ's merits.

"Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." Rom. 5 : 1, 2. "Grace be to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ; according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love; having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved. In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." Eph. 1 : 2-7; also Rom. 11 : 15.

4. The power or disposition to exercise saving faith, to live the Christian life, and to endure with patience the trials of the earthly state.

"Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." 2 Tim. 2 : 1. "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Eph. 4 : 29.

"He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ might rest upon me." 2 Cor. 12 : 9. "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." James 4 : 6; also Acts 4 : 32-35; Heb. 4 : 16; 1 Peter 1 : 2-4.

5. Any spiritual gift or attainment; any development of spiritual excellence.

"Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt; that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one." Col. 4 : 6. "As ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace [liberality] also." 2 Cor. 8 : 7. "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, tho He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich." Verse 9.