What’s So Amazing About Grace? (Part 1)

In Bible numerology, the number five is symbolic of God’s grace, an apt and noteworthy subject of study for the fifth month of the year, given the centrality of this theme to the Gospels, our current dispensation of time, and God’s dealings with man. 

Beyond borrowing a bestselling phrase from the bestselling title of a bestselling book by a bestselling author and the honor of being named after such a bestselling subject matter, personal acclaim to this virtue’s venerated fame is impossible to attain.

With the risk of an eponymous title or self-attribution out of the way – what IS so amazing about grace?

Grace Characteristics

1. *As multifaceted in definition as it is in display and dimensions (1 Pet 4:10)*
2. *One of the most common definitions is closely related yet distinct from Favor.
   Can be described as “empowered” or “power-packed” favor, the effect of which inherently elicits irrefutable deference or a distinct preference*
3. *Always stems from a vantage (i.e., naturally prominent & monumentalized by its own ethereal throne) of benevolence and/or empowerment*
4. *Is naturally adorning and ornamental (Prov 1:9; 3:22; 4:9) >> Grace looks good on you!!*
5. *Always distinguishes from the pack; affords clear eminence born of a perception of excellence (Gen 6:8; Ex 13:33; Esther 2:17)*

Grace Defined

Kindness of manner or act … (especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life); … favor, gift, joy, liberality, pleasure, thankworthy¹ 

That which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness, goodwill, loving-kindness, …; that which is due to grace; the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace; benefit, bounty; thanks, (for benefits, services), recompense, reward²

Grace –> God’s empowerment, not by force, but by favor

Grace –> The bountiful benevolence bestowed upon the beloved by his or her beneficient Benefactor

Grace –> favor’s power to influence

Grace –> favor’s power to prevail

Grace –> favor’s power to perform

Grace –> favor’s power to proliferate 

Grace –> God’s empowerment for exceptional distinction & accomplishment 

Grace –> God’s favor upon you that causes men to be attracted to you so that they can assist and cooperate with you to accomplish His purposes for you [& thus manifest His glory through you] (Pastor Steve Carpenter @ The City Church, Kirkland, WA)

Grace —> Divine help/assistance; God in partnership with men providing help and assistance to your life & destiny (Apostle Joshua Selman >> “This Grace Called Favor”)

Grace —> God raising men to invest their time, resources & credibility into your destiny … (Apostle Joshua Selman >> “This Grace Called Favor”)

Grace Companions

Never far from the biblical mention of the word “Grace” are her faithful and true following close associates and life companions:

1. Compassion (Psalms 103:8; Psalms 145:8; Ex 33:19; 2 Chron 30:9; Jonah 4:1-2)
2. Faith (Eph 2:8; Rom 4:16)
3. Gift (1 Pet 4:10; Eph 2:8-9; Rom 5:17)
4. Glory (Psalms 84:11; 1 Pet 5:10)
5. Honor (Proverbs 11:16)
6. Humility – James 4:6, 1 Pet 5:5
7. Instruction (Prov 1:9)
8. Knowledge (2 Pet 3:18; 1:2)
9. Mercy (Heb 4:16; Ps 86:15; Ex 33:19)
10. Peace (2 Pet 1:1)
11. Power (Acts 4:33)
12. Supplication (Zech 12:10)
13. Truth (John 1:14; 17; Prov 3:3)
14. Wisdom (Prov 3:21-22; 4:7-9)

References

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible¹

Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of The New Testament²