The Bounds of Grace

What is grace? As stated on www.dictionary.com, it is evolved from terms in Latin, French, and Middle English:

ORIGIN OF GRACE
1125–75; Middle English < Old French < Latin grātia favor, kindness, esteem, derivative of grātus pleasing

And. a single term can have so many interpretations and shades of meaning. But, notice how this term is a relative of "gratis":

ORIGIN OF GRATIS
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin grātīs freely, contraction of grātiīs with favors, graces (ablative plural of grātia grace)

And, it is also a cousin of "gratuity":

ORIGIN OF GRATUITY
1515–25; < Middle French gratuite, equivalent to Latin grātuī(tus) free + Middle French -te -ty2

And, is a second cousin of a lesser used term "gratulate".

ORIGIN OF GRATULATE
1550–60; < Latin grātulātus (past participle of grātulārī to express joy), equivalent to grātul- express joy, congratulate, thank (derivative of grātus pleasing) + -ātus -ate1

We know that gratis means "free" or "without cost". And, we know that a "gratuity" is in essence an monetary payment for services rendered above and beyond what is billed. An "gratulate" is the expression of joy.

 The list of denotations and connotations for "grace" are as follows:

Noun
A. elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action.
B. a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment.
C. favor or goodwill.
D. a manifestation of favor, especially by a superior.

Verb
E. to lend or add grace to; adorn:
F. to favor or honor:

Notice definition (A). realizing this we can see that in terms of things that are spiritual, His Grace is a manifold term. It is first and far-most about His Elegance and Beauty of Form, Manner, Motion, and Action. The totality of scripture cries out that He is Our Most Excellent Heavenly Father. His Quality and Ways are Pleasing and Attractive. One of His Most Pleasant Ways is His Favor that He freely grants us. His Elegance and Beauty Adorn Him and He clothes us with His Favor and for His Honor He honors us.

We love hearing how He loves us, despite our iniquity.

[Rom 4:4-8 KJV] 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 [Saying], Blessed [are] they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed [is] the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

But, grace is much like a "gratuity". Notice that He can "freely" choose who He grants grace. It is not a guaranteed gift or gifting.

We are saved by His Grace. His Son was crucified and resurrected for our sin. He is the Way, the Truth, the Light, and the Resurrection. Yet, this is not the limits of His Grace!

We can accept the offer of salvation. But, do we accept the other forms of His Grace that comes with it, such as His Spirit and the associated Gifts of Love, Joy, Peace, Temperance, Hope, and etc. Do we accept the Grace of Obedience. Do we obey His Word?

[1Sa 15:22 KJV] 22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams.

Are we merciful?

[Hos 6:6 KJV] 6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

[Mat 9:13 KJV] 13 But go ye and learn what [that] meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

[Mat 12:7 KJV] 7 But if ye had known what [this] meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

Notice the third verse said "guiltless" and not "guilty". As believers in a Benevolent, Kind, Loving, And Just Heavenly Father, we must accept that consequences exist for sinful behavior. As the Law outlined in Leviticus, sin always costs the sinner a beautiful, precious, and valuable possession, such a lamb without spot or blemish. Sin cost a man some of the "best" that the Lord has given him.

Consider, the following verses:

[Pro 5:3-13 KJV] 3 For the lips of a strange woman drop [as] an honeycomb, and her mouth [is] smoother than oil: 4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. 6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, [that] thou canst not know [them]. 7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth. 8 Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: 9 Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: 10 Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours [be] in the house of a stranger; 11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, 12 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; 13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!

Verse 10 is quite a penalty for letting oneself be seduced and yielding when temptation comes! Yet, let His Word be true and every man a liar!

[Rom 3:4 KJV] 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

He is Just, and, if we do not accept His Judgement, we deny His Beautiful Grace and nullify our sonship.

[Heb 12:5-11 KJV] 5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected [us], and we gave [them] reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened [us] after their own pleasure; but he for [our] profit, that [we] might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Many adults have the addictions that they have because they were "disowned" by imperfect earthly parents and not properly chastised when they first strayed from their "original" parental teaching. The Heavenly Father sent His Son so we might have life and have it more abundantly, free from any unhealthy behaviors, not matter how seemingly small, common, and insignificant. This is part of His Grace.

We get a certain measure of His Grace by simply obeying scriptures the best the we can. If we do what He tells us, we will fair quite well. That might not be financially, but an abundant, joyous life full of grace is worth more than many treasures.

One could give a detailed description of each statute found in scripture and an exposition on how following it will bring forth many blessings. And, the come from just doing what one is told.

Consider,

[Phl 4:4-8 KJV] 4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: [and] again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord [is] at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

Just following these teachings and rules for living would save many men thousands per year in medical bills from behavioral health specialists.

If you have not taken the time, read His Word it will bless you and you will be Bound by Grace.

[Rom 6:16-23 KJV] 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things [is] death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Be Blest and Live as His Servant!