GRACE

The term "grace" occurs about 155 times in the N.T. The word relates to a Greek term, chairo, meaning "to rejoice," and grace itself comes to mean favor, gratification, or gratitude -- depending upon the context. There is great N.T. stress upon the fact that salvation is the result of God's grace (Eph. 2:8-9), but there are several important aspects to this matter. (a) Heaven's grace is made available to "all men" (Tit. 2:11), contrary to the claims of Calvinism, which alleges that it is bestowed only upon certain "elect" ones. (b) Divine grace is accessed by means of a system of intellectual instruction (Tit. 2:12; cf. Jn. 6:45); it is not arbitrarily bestowed. (c) Grace is not extended unconditionally (cf. Gen. 6:8; Heb. 11:7) -- again, contra Calvinism. The Ephesian Christians had been saved "by grace" (Eph. 2:8), but the salvation occurred at that point in time when they were "cleansed by the washing of water" (Eph. 5:26). (d) Grace excludes merit; salvation can never be earned (Rom. 6:23; cf. Mt. 18:24-27), but grace must be accessed (Rom. 5:2). (e) By grace we can be at peace with God (Rom. 5:1-2), and achieving that, we become heirs of "the grace of life" (1 Pet. 3:7). (f) But it is imperative that the child of God "continue in the grace" he has received (Acts 13:43), and "grow" therein (2 Pet. 3:18). If we do not, we will "fall away" from divine grace (Gal. 5:4; cf. Heb. 12:5), and the grace previously received will have been "in vain" (2 Cor. 6:1 cf. 1 Cor. 15:10).