When I hear the word “graceful”, I envisage someone who is elegant, one who carries him or herself with a flowing, poised bearing.  Someone much different from myself, who tends to trip over my own feet and snort when I laugh. 

My perspective is shifting, though, as my encounters with God’s grace are growing.  Defining grace as “unmerited favor” and experiencing God’s amazing grace amidst the many trips and stumbles of my Christian walk seem to be two completely different things.  When I was bound in legalism, I could give you the definition.  When Jesus saved me from my sin, my brokenness—and my self-righteousness—and proceeded to fill me with His Holy Spirit and bless my life in innumerable ways, what was once theoretical became substantial.

Now, instead of picturing someone who is graceful as merely characterized by their demeanor, I recognize that the transforming touch of God’s grace modifies each believer’s heart, his or her attitudes, and their relationships with others—being filled and overflowing with God’s grace will affect the way we live, the words we speak, and how we behave towards others.

The most important thing to recognize about grace is that it is a gift, not earned nor bartered for.  It has already been purchased through the sacrificial blood of Jesus through His death on the cross of Calvary—and it is ours to receive, to enjoy, and to share with others:

“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.” (Romans 3:23-25)

God is generous with His grace!

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of His will according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ…” (Ephesians 1:7-10)

And I love this verse in Hebrews: “But we see Him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” (Hebrews 2:9) 

The Bible also delineates some of the characteristics of God’s grace, which are attributes I want people to not only see in me, but also experience from me.  …characteristics that, I hope, reverberate from the lives of every Christian, showing that we truly are “Grace-full!”

The grace of God is visible in our outreach to others with the gospel and how we treat those who are culturally different than we are: “But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus.  And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.  The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.  When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” (Acts 11:20-24)

God’s Word embodies grace, building up, sanctifying, and ensuring our eternal inheritance; therefore, I want the foundation of my life to be God’s grace and His Word: “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” (Acts 20:32)

God’s gift of grace at work in our lives affects how we think, our behavior, and our relationships: “For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity [some manuscripts say “holiness”] and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.” (2 Corinthians 1:12

Grace affects our attitudes by igniting thankfulness: “…knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into His presence.  For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:14-15)

Grace is not passive, it is active!  I think this is an important aspect of grace – it is the part that isn’t so much about what we receive; rather, it demonstrates that we have surrendered our lives to the Lord, received His grace, and are willing to share it with others:  “We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.  For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.  Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started so he should complete among you this act of grace.  But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.  (2 Corinthians 8:1-7)

God’s grace abundantly equips us for ministry: “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.  As it is written, ‘He has distributed freely, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.’  He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.” (2 Corinthians 9:8-10)

God’s grace is powerful: “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’  Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

God’s grace glorifies Jesus, which begs the question, if our attitudes, behaviors, and activities do not glorify the Savior, are we truly demonstrating God’s powerful, transforming grace?  “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

God’s grace comforts His people, giving us hope—affecting both how we live and the words we speak.  “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

God’s grace commissions us: “Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” (2 Timothy 1:8-9)

God’s grace provides us with gifts for service (no one is left out!).  “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:  whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.  To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever.  Amen.” (1 Peter 4:10-11)

This has been an amazing study for me.  I am discovering that grace is like a multi-faceted gem and I am only beginning to discover its beauty.  I believe as we “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18), the depth and the richness of His grace (there is no such thing as “cheap grace”) will become increasingly evident in our lives.