What is the worst word in the Bible? My answer to that question may surprise you. In my opinion, the worst word in the Bible is “grace.” But I also say that “grace” is the best word in the Bible!
Grace is the worst word because it speaks of human failure—it is like getting an “F” on your report card. The only people who need God’s grace are failures—like me! But grace is the best word because it speaks of God’s mercy to overcome our failure. Grace can transform an impossible problem into a real solution.
To define the word “grace” will require a sentence with two clauses connected by the word “but”. First comes the worst-word part: humans cannot save themselves, we are all sinners, “but” then comes the best-word part: in His mercy, God sent a Savior. In other words, the definition of grace is: “Human failure, but God’s gift.” Or, “Sinner, but saved.”
Grace tells us that there is something greater than our sin: God’s love. In grace, God’s love reached across the chasm between himself and us in order to find his lost sheep, his lost coin, his lost child. “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.”
God’s grace is the basis of our salvation. Grace is God’s amazing love for an undeserving race. Grace started with God. Grace is his plan.
We did not seek God. He sought us. We did not earn His favor. He freely gave it. We cannot boast about our relationship with God. Grace requires complete humility on our part. In grace, God is active, we are passive— because there is no other way.
The Apostle Paul described God’s grace as the opposite of good works or obedience to the Old Testament law.
•Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ…. Because by observing the law no one will be justified. (Galatians 2:16)
•I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing. (Galatians 2:21)
•For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Our good works have no part in being saved. If it did, we could boast: “I am saved because I am righteous!” or “I am saved because I am better than other people.” Grace negates those boasts. Salvation by grace is totally undeserved.
I have a quiz question to determine if you are trusting in your own righteousness or in God’s grace to save you: True/False: It will be easier for God to save me than ________ (some evil person).
If you said “true,” that you think it will be easier for God to save you than someone else, then you are trusting in your own works, not grace. Grace means that all humanity is equally lost, and in Christ all humans can be equally saved. That is the bad news and the good news of the word “grace.”
But grace does not stop with saving us. Grace sustains the believer on a daily basis. Every blessing we receive, every answer to prayer, every spiritual gift, every moment of growth toward spiritual maturity is also by grace. If grace ever stopped, our Christian walk would stop. Just as salvation is not by our works, becoming holy is not by our works. Both are by grace.
A good illustration of grace is found in the opening story of Victor Hugo’s novel, Les Miserables (1862).
Jean Valjean, a convict just released from years in prison, finds shelter for the night in the home of a priest, Bishop Myriel. During the night Valjean reverts to his criminal ways, steals the priest’s silverware and escapes into the night. However, he is caught by the police who bring him back to the Myriel house. The police ask the priest to identify the stolen silverware, but he shows mercy and tells the police that he had given the silverware to Valjean and adds that Valjean had forgotten to take two silver candlesticks he had also been given. The police accept this story and leave. Bishop Myriel then tells Valjean that with these candlesticks he has purchased Valjean’s life for God. He should use the money to make an honest man of himself. That act of grace transformed Valjean into an honest businessman who continued to show grace to others for the remainder of his life.
Grace is more than forgiveness—it is buying a life for God! It has the power of transformation leading to multiple acts of grace we show to others.
Salvation is based on grace through faith. We will continue that thought next week.
Greg Giles is a published author, who, along with his wife Jean, has embraced the call to serve and teach around the globe. Their life together has included missionary work in Liberia, Bangladesh, teaching in China, and raising a family in Bemidji, Minnesota. Between global travels and local commitments, including serving as superintendent of Corn Bible Academy and their current part-time roles at Corn Heritage Village, the Gileses have found “home” in many places; yet, they now happily reside in retirement in Cordell. Please visit his website at reflections-on-wisdom.com.