Reminders for Your Spiritual Journey

The word “grace” can be interpreted in various ways.   For example, it can be used to describe movements as in the grace of a ballerina’s performance or a swan’s elegant glide across a lake.  It can also describe an attitude as in a person responding kindly toward another person or a company extending a deadline as in a grace period before a payment is due. Five common characteristics of grace are sometimes spelled out using the acronym G R A C E. They include Gratitude, Resilience, Action, Compassion, and Empathy, focusing on unearned favor, inner strength, purposeful change, care for others, and understanding. Other descriptions use words such as forgiveness, generosity, humility, and service to others, or actions like building up, listening, and giving without expecting anything in return.

It is easy to confuse the word grace with the word mercy, but they are not the same. An analogy that illustrates the difference might help explain.  Mercy is having a judge offer a lighter sentence because the defendant is a first-time offender and has expressed remorse for what he has done.  Grace is having the judge also offer the defendant a job mowing his lawn to provide him with an income.  In this case, the judge extended mercy by not imposing the punishment the defendant deserved. The judge also extended grace by offering the defendant a job he did not deserve. There are many times in our everyday lives that we know we have received more or less than we thought we deserved. For example, you were speeding, but didn’t get a ticket, or you worked overtime but your boss didn’t even thank you, let alone pay you, for the extra work.   

The apostle Paul begged God to remove the thorn in his flesh, but God said the words in 1Corinthians 12:9: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This verse promises that God's strength is best displayed through human limitations. It means that God's favor and power are enough to sustain believers through hardship, rather than removing the struggle, God extends both grace and mercy by forgiving us of our sins while at the same time offering us a place in heaven that we have not and cannot earn.

Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly states: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” In other words, we cannot earn our way to heaven. It is by the grace of God that we are permitted to accept his mercy and believe (have faith) that He will also provide the unearned gift of salvation and a place in heaven. John 1:17 states: “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”  It was through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross that we have been saved.  It was He, not we, who earned our salvation which was God’s gift to all who believe!

The word glory is not often used in casual conversation, but when it is, it carries the connotation of, something that is above and beyond the ordinary, something superior, outstanding, noble, illustrious, acclaimed or distinguished. It is often used to describe notable achievements that are heroic or particularly honorable.  For example, “…to fight and die for the glory of one’s nation.” It can also be used to describe something spectacularly beautiful, brilliant or majestic or something splendid to behold such as a “glorious sunset” or “glorious concert”.  The word glory can also pertain to something that one can take great pleasure or pride in.  For example, there are people who “glory in their independence” meaning to rejoice, take delight or revel in.

According to Wikipedia, “In the Bible, ‘glory’ signifies God's majesty, and radiance, often depicted as brilliant light or splendor, representing His perfections and power. It also refers to human dignity, honor, and wealth, but ultimately points to God's supreme value and presence, seen in creation, Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the hope for future revelation in the new creation. The Greek word for glory (Kabod) literally means ‘heaviness,’ implying importance, weight, and supreme worth, reflecting God's unparalleled greatness. God’s glory is frequently depicted as bright, dazzling light, symbolizing God's presence.” In 1 Timothy 6:16, God is described as dwelling in "unapproachable light". Matthew 17:2 says: “At the Transfiguration, Jesus' face shone like the sun and His clothes became white as light.” Acts 9:3 says: “Paul was blinded by a light from heaven brighter than the sun", identified as the risen Jesus. It's the outward display of God's attributes—His wisdom, power, goodness, and beauty—in creation and in His self-revelations. Jesus is the ultimate incarnation of God's glory.

For humans, glory can mean fame, wealth, or high status (1 Kings 10:10), but it fades compared to God's eternal glory. It's the very essence of God's being, so brilliant that mortals can't see Him face-to-face without protection (Exodus 33:18-23). 1 Peter 2:9 describes it this way: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” As Christians, we are called to glorify God through our lives, reflecting His nature and bringing Him honor. 1 Corinthians 6:20 says: For you were bought with a price: “Therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”

Empowerment can either be given or is taken and both can be in operation at the same time. Power that is given is most often bestowed upon a certain person or group by a higher power.  For example, in a democracy the people have the power to vote to allow a certain person or group to govern them.  In the US that is the president, congress and the courts.  Each branch is given a certain amount of power over how the government operates and each is guided and constrained by the constitution and the next vote.

Ideally, the democratic system guarantees that individuals within the country feel entitled to live a free and autonomous life.  The people feel empowered to conduct their own lives with certain rights and responsibilities.  They feel free to make their own choices, and within the law, to do as they please. The problem is that some people who are given power feel entitled to also take and abuse that power, and as a result, some other people might feel oppressed rather than free.  That happens because human beings are too often self-centered and feel entitled to misuse the power they have been given to suppress the rights of others for their own purposes.

The kingdom of God is not a democracy. It is a kingdom, with a supreme leader and self- selected subjects.  This seems like an anathema to some people who believe in democracy, but the difference is that in God’s kingdom, power is tempered with love.  In a democracy, power is tempered by an idea that all people are equal under the law.  The flaw in the idea is that human beings are too easily corrupted by the power and freedoms they are given. In God’s kingdom, believers are asked to give up some of their power and autonomy (self-determination) to follow a superior set of principles. In exchange, we are guided not by power but by faith, love, and commitments to allow ourselves to be empowered by good (God).

Jesus demonstrated that empowerment when he sent his apostles out to spread the good news of the gospel that all who believe are entitled to salvation through his death and resurrection. In Acts 1:8, He said: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And in Luke 19:19-20, He said: “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Christians are given the power to overcome adversity and to do great things.  We have faith that God not only protects but also gives us great courage and strength.  Philippians 4:13 entitles us along with the apostle Paul, to say, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”