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It is told that during a meeting on comparative religions in Britain that many scholars gathered together to discuss what, if anything, was unique to Christianity. Many different elements were discussed and debated. Was Christianity unique because of its concept of truth? No, other religions have this. Was it unique because of the doctrine of reconciliation? No, other religions have this. Was it unique in terms of inspiration of a particular book? No, again, other religions have this. It is told that C.S. Lewis entered the room during the debate and asked what the discussion was all about. “We are discussing what makes Christianity unique, if anything.” “That’s easy” Lewis responded, “its grace.”
What is grace? If it is the primary element that separates Christianity from all other world religions (and I believe that it along with the doctrine of the Trinity is), all Christians should have a deep understanding of it, along with the ability to articulate it in a accurate way. Let’s start with this working definition: “Grace is the gift of God that is not deserved, cannot be earned, and cannot be paid back.”
The word grace comes from the Greek charis which means “a beneficent disposition to someone” (BDAG). From it comes charisma, the Greek word for “gift.” When we talk about people being “charismatic,” we mean that they are gifted. Theologically, while the term does not occur many times in the Gospels, Paul develops the Christian understanding of grace from his understanding of the acts of God through Christ Jesus. It is a free gift that God offers in exchange for nothing other than a willing hand of reception. Broadly speaking God’s grace is seen in creation (He gave us life for free), in providential provision (He sustains the world for free), and in salvation (He offers to those who have turned against Him reconciliation for free). While other religions may have love, they do not have unconditional grace as the avenue for the expression of that love.
Grace can be thought of as the wings of God’s love.
It is the path that His love walks.
Other religions have this word but none of them define it the way that God demonstrates it. In other religions, in order to acquire the love of God or His favor one may have to do any number of religious deeds and acts of righteousness in order to be deserving. But from the Christian worldview “grace” and “deserving” are antithetical. As Paul says to the Romans: “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace” (11:6). In other words, “If it [salvation] is a gift, it cannot be paid for by any means, otherwise it is not really a gift, but what is deserved.”
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