Grace Defined

When you think of the word grace, what comes to mind?

Do you think of someone you know that was named, Grace?

How about something you say before a meal as a way of thanksgiving?

What about the way someone walks or holds themselves in a dignified and elegant way or even the grace that is exhibited by a ballet dancer?

These are not the definitions we are looking for, even though they are valid.

The definition we are seeking is the one that Jesus Christ, himself, displayed when He gave the ultimate sacrifice of dying for all of us.

Let's look back at a biblical example to show just what grace means from the Old Testament. In the book of 2 Samuel 9:1-13.

It is the story of a time of King Davids life where he is reflecting on his past, his current life and two promises he made to two very special people in his life.

It was an eastern custom that when a newly elected king is appointed to the throne that all descendants and family members of that previous king were killed.

So when Saul saw that David would become king, he made David vow not to kill him or his family. 1 Samuel 24:20. David also held up a vow made to his good friend Jonathan that was the son of Saul that when he was dying in the war, also asked the same thing of David. 1 Samuel 20:13. So David was bound by two promises not to kill any of Saul and Jonathan's family when he took his throne.

When news got back that Saul and Jonathan had died, this is where we find David reflecting back on those promises of showing a kindness, which roughly defined should mean mercy or grace. The only remaining member of Saul's family was a grandson of Saul and the son of Jonathan. He had been taken away and was being hidden because of the custom of eliminating the previous kings family.

In the process of hearing the death of Saul and Jonathan, the nurse carrying for Jonathan's son rushed out in such a hurry that she dropped the child, thus the reason for him being crippled. His name was Mephibosheth. 2 Samuel 4:4

So David begins to fulfill this promise and asks for any remaining member of Sauls family be brought before him. A servant is brought before David, who informs him that the only person left is a crippled boy, unworthy of being in David's presence.

David immediately summons for Mephibosheth who is hiding in the worst places in Israel where he knows no king will look. Once he hears the king wants to see him, he fears the worst and that he is going to die.

However once he arrives at the palace, he drops to his knees before David. David tells him not to be afraid because he is going to show him kindness or in this case grace and completely restore the land and everything that belonged to Saul to him. In addition the servant will now serve Mephibosheth for the remainder of their lives and Mephibosheth will eat at Davids' table always.

See grace is beyond showing a kindness to someone.

Grace is a demonstration of love that is not deserved and can never be repaid. So it is with our salvation. We don't deserve it and never will. There is nothing we can do, no deed or service to God that will earn our way in, because what Jesus did for all of us, can never be repaid. No one can ever do what He did.

He demonstrated perfect love and grace for us. Isn't it time you accepted it from God?