Grace
Hebrew-Khane

Vine's Words: Gracious (To Be), Show Favor
 
English Words used in KJV:
grace 38
favour 26
gracious 2
pleasant 1
precious 1
wellfavoured 1
[Total Count: 69]
 
from (chanan); graciousness, i.e. subjectively(kindness, favor) or objective (beauty) :- favour, grace (-ious), pleasant, precious, [well-] favoured.
Grace
Greek-Charis

Vine's Dictionary Words: Accept, Accepted, Acceptable, Benefit, Benefactor, Favor, Favored, Grace, Liberal, Liberality, Liberally, Thank, Thanks, Thankful, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving, Thankworthy
 
English Words used in KJV:
grace 130
favour 6
thanks 4
thank 4
thank +  3
pleasure 2
misc 7
[Total Count: 156]
 
from (chairo); graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude) :- acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy).

What is Grace?
Most Christians define grace as unmerited favor. That is true to an extent. However, it is much more than that. Note the definition above, 'especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude).

Thus grace is more than unmerited favor. It is God working on the heart of the believer, to the extent that their life reflects God's grace. A Christian's life will reflect a gratitude for God's grace.

Thus, those who use grace as an excuse, or to justify sin, do not know what they are saying. They are misusing the word grace. Grace is the power/favor of God to walk in victory over sin, not to justify sin.

Many Christians are walking under God's mercy (compassion), not his grace. It is out of God's mercy, that at times we do not have to suffer the consequences of our sinful actions. A follower of Jesus Christ should desire to live their life under the grace of God, not the mercy of God if they want to live a victorious life.

God's grace comes out of our willingness and desire to not sin. Yes, we are saved by God's grace (unmerited favor), but it is the will of the Father, that we obtain His grace on an ongoing basis so that we walk in victory. Those depending just on God's mercy will not live a victorious life.

In our next study we will explore how grace is more than the means of how we are saved.