Grace

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The Grace of God

There are many interpretations concerning what the "Grace of God " is, but how many truly study what the
word of God, actually says on the "grace of God"?
I have a feeling, not too many.
Some say, that grace is the love of God, another will say it is the mercy of God, and still yet another will say
it is the unmerrited favor of God.
Well in truth, I have heard all of these types of interpretations taught, concerning the grace of God, but which
one of these interpretations is true?
And does the grace of God, have different meanings in different scriptures, than other scriptures?
Well let us get into this study, and let us find out.
First of all, I feel that alot of the interpretations today, are based either on what one feels, or what one wants
to believe ,rather than through the study of the word, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit that is. The word is
more simple than one might think.
Now first of all, let us get into the scriptures, and somewhat into the Hebrew and the Greek.
Now we will get into, first of all, Old Testament scriptures, and look at the meaning of the word "grace", in
the Hebrew language.
Now let us start, with the first scripture mentioned in the bible, with the word "grace" in it.
Genesis 6:8.
(8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the
Lord.)
Now the word "grace", in this verse, and in almost every verse in the Old Testament, comes from the
Hebrew word : "Khane" .
The Hebrew word "Khane" (number 2580 in the Strong's dictionary) means:
From H2603; graciousness, that is, subjectively (kindness, favor) or objectively (beauty): -favour, grace
(-ious), pleasant, precious, [well-] favoured.
The Hebrew word "Khane" is dominant in refering to the word grace, under the Old Testament, but under
the New Testament, it is a little different, which we will eventually get to.
Now you can tell pretty much what this or that scripture is saying, just by simply reading the context of the
verse.
And all God was saying to Noah in Genesis 6:8, was that Noah found favor with God, why?

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Because he merrited it?
Nope.
Because he was so holy that no one could touch him?
Nope.
But, rather it was because he believed God, and put his trust in God, therefore having favor with God.
Do you want proof that God is well pleased with faith?
Well here is the scripture.
Hebrews 11:6.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him:
for he that cometh to God must believe that he
is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him.)

It seems that today, that there are two extremes, either people emphasize so much on grace, that they almost
think that it could be had without faith, therefore this person not truly understanding grace, or there is the
other extreme , that is especially true in the faith movement groups, they seem to focus so much upon faith,
that they are not truly using faith in a right way, therefore not truly understamding grace.
One scripture that I emphasize alot on, is the one I am about to quote.
1Corinthians 2:13.
(13 Which things also we speak, not in the
words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which
the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual
things with spiritual.)

That is one thing, not many Christian do, is comparing the word (spiritual things) with the word.
We need to have a balanced Christian walk, that is according to the word ofcourse.
No not a Christian walk that compromises with the world, but rather a true balanced Christian walk that is an
image of what God wants us to be.

Now let us go unto a very interesting scripture, concerning the word "grace", under the Old Testament.
Zechariah 4:7.

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(7 Who art thou, O great mountain before
Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he
shall bring forth the headstone thereof with
shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.)

What is this great mountain, referring to?
Well, first of all, it says that, this great mountain, shalt become a plain before Zerubbabel.
What is this talking about?
Well, first let us cover, what the headstone is referring to.
The headstone, is referring to the foundation of the 2nd temple, which Zerubbabel help build (Ezra 3:7-10).
Now the great mountain is referring to the opposition they (Zerubbabel etc.) had, upon continuing the
construction of the temple (Ezra 4:5-24), but they became a plain before Zerubbabel (opposition ceased,
Ezra 5:1-17; Ezra 6:1-13), and ofcourse Zerubbabel laid forth the foundation of the 2nd temple (the
headstone, Ezra 3:7-10) therefore (because of the foundation) there was shoutings, crying, Grace, grace
unto it (they showed favour through joy and shoutings, because the foundation had been laid , Ezra
3:10-11).
Now let us cover just a couple verses down, which is Zechariah 4:8-9 :
(8 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto
me, saying,
9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the
foundation of this house; his hands shall also
finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of
hosts hath sent me unto you.)

Did Zerubbabel finish the house of God? Well yep he did (Ezra 6:13-16).
So now, let us get back into the study of "Grace".
Now the word "grace" in the Zechariah scripture that we have covered, has the very same Hebrew word as
we covered before, in the Genesis verse which talks of Noah, which is "Khane".
Every single verse with the word grace in it, under the Old Testament, points to the Hebrew word "Khane",
with the exception being Ezra 9:8.
Let us cover this scripture of Ezra 9:8.
Ezra 9:8.
(8 And now for a little space grace hath been

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showed from, the LORD our God, to leave us a
remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his
holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes,
and give us a little reviving in our bondage.)

Now the Hebrew word, which concerns the word "Grace", in this verse, is "Tekh-in-naw'".
The word "Tekh-in-naw'" (number 8467 in the Strong's dictionary) means:
From H2603; graciousness; causatively entreaty: -favour, grace, supplication.
Just by reading the context of Ezra 9:8, you can see it is really talking about the same thing, as other verses in
the Old Testament, which is the favour of God, the only difference being, is , is that a different Hebrew word
is used, but that is really it.
This verse says that grace had been shown to Israel, but why? Well God's favour was shown, because there
were a few who believed, even though Israel was still in deep bondage, therefore God being able to have a
remnant, in the midst of the bondage that they were in, and through these men (Zerubbabel etc.), God was
able to pour out a little reviving, which all believers need at times.
Now before we go unto the New Testament side of things, I just want to cover, four more scriptures,
concerning grace, under the Old Testament.
Let us go unto Psalms 84:11.
(11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the
LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing
will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.)

Even though God's grace, is not merrited, that does not mean that there aren't conditions to God's grace, for
it says at the end of this verse " to them that walk uprightly"!
God's favor is granted to them who walk uprightly!!!!!!!
Please do not argue with God's word, for it is a useless thing to do.
God's favor is granted to the faithful, for it is faith which pleases him, and if it is faith, and the word says it is,
then why argue with the word???????
Unless you do not like the way the word is written???????
So if that is the case, then do you really want to follow God???????
Well here is another proof, which shows that God is well pleased, by the action of faith.
Hebrews 11:5.

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(5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should
not see death; and was not found, because God
had translated him: for before his translation he
had this testimony, that he pleased God.)

Now God's love is unconditional, but God's favor is not, for it takes the condition of faith, to be under God's
favor.
Let us go unto another verse.
Proverbs 3:34.
(34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he
giveth grace unto the lowly.)

Condition, condition, condition!!!!!!!
Now unto another verse.
Jer 31:2.
(2 Thus saith the LORD, The people which were
left of the sword found grace in the wilderness;
even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.)

The ones that were left and did not go through the sword or fall into God's wrath, were shown favor by God,
because they held on to God.
And now, I just want to cover this one, Old Testament exception verse, before we get unto the New
Testament side of things.
This Old Testament verse, which concerns the word "Grace", has the very same Hebrew word, which is
"Khane", as the other Old Testament verses, but this verse is not talking about the grace of "God", but rather
a type of grace that a man can show towards another man.
Now let us get into that "Khane" definition, again.
Khane:
From H2603; graciousness, that is, subjectively (kindness, favor) or objectively (beauty): -favour, grace
(-ious), pleasant, precious, [well-] favoured.
Now here is that exception verse.

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Esther 2:17.
(17 And the king loved Esther above all, the
women, and she obtained grace and favor in his
sight more than all, the virgins; so that he set the
royal crown upon her head, and made her queen
instead of Vashti.)

The only thing that can be concluded , in this verse, is that "grace" refers to kindness (kindness of the king),
but concerning the "Grace of 'God'", under the Old Testament, it always refers to the favor of God!!!!!!!
So we have covered the type of grace, that the Old Testament talks about, which is the favor of God, but
now let us get into the New Testament type of grace and see if it is talking about the same thing.
Now let us go unto a New Testament verse.
Luke 2:40.
(40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in
spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God
was upon him.)

Now we get into the Greek side of things.
Now the Greek word, for the word Grace; which refers to the grace of God; in this verse, is "Khar´-ece".
Now "Khar´-ece" (number 5485 in the Strong's dictionary) means:
From G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstractor) concrete; literal, figurative or
spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and it's reflection in the life; including
gratitude):-acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s,-worthy).
Now this Greek word, describes every single verse, that talks about "Grace", in the New Testament, that is
except for two verses.
What is Luke 2:40, talking about?
Well it says how the grace of God was upon Jesus.
Well how did people know that the Grace of God was upon Jesus???????
Obviously because they saw something in him, to be able to say that the "Grace" of God was upon him.
What did they see?
Well obviously, what they saw was that the Spirit of God, in him.

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How?
Well really, through what the definition that the Greek word Khar´-ece gives, which it talks about joy,
liberality (freedom in Christ), reflection of life, God's influence upon the heart etc. etc. etc.
Now what brings about all of this???????
It obviously is the Spirit of God.
The Spirit of God brings a change in man's life, it pricks a man's heart, convicts from sin, sets a person free,
gives a person joy, etc. etc. etc.
What are we saved by???????
Ephesians 2:8-9.
(8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and
that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.)

By GRACE through FAITH ofcourse!!!!!!!
How is someone BORN AGAIN ?
John 3:5-7.
(5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto
thee, Except a man be born of water and of the
Spirit, he cannot, enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that
which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be
born again.)

Now before someone can be born again, he must first be born, and then come to the age of understanding,
then choose to receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour and to repent ofcourse, and then one is born of the
Spirit or born again.
Now being born of the water in John 3:5, does not refer to water baptism ( even though water baptism is
very important, and is a commandment), but rather it is referring to just simply being born physically, which
just before we come out of our mother's womb, her water breaks, and John 3:6, explains this very well,
which it says "....that which is born of the flesh is flesh....", and ofcourse being born of the Spirit (big "S"),
refers to the born again experience, which John 3:6, explains very well, which says "....that which is born of
the Spirit is spirit....".

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The word of God explains itself.
So it is the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit), that makes us born again, which he puts a new heart within us, and
dwells in these new hearts !!!!!!!
It is we that become born again, through the Holy Spirit (spiritually ofcourse), by him giving us a new spirit.
So, in truth, the grace of God, that is spoken of , in the New Testament, is just simply referring to the Spirit
of God.
Now let us go unto at least five more scriptures, in the New Testament, which has the word "GRACE" in
it, which has the same Greek word as the other verses, previously mentioned.
John 1:16-17.
(16 And of his fullness have all we received, and
grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace
and truth came by Jesus Christ.)

John was saying, and of his fulness have all we (he and the other Christians with him) received, and grace for
grace.
What is it talking about here, about it being grace for grace?
Well, when we were being led to salvation, the Holy Spirit was pricking our hearts, so's to lead us toward
salvation, therefore it was his grace that was pricking our hearts, so's to lead us unto salvation, and when we
received the grace of God, the Spirit of God came in us, therefore us having the grace of God in us, therefore
it being grace for grace.
And yes the word of God is that simple, remember you must be child like!!!
Now unto the next scripture.
2 Peter 3:18.
(18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be
glory both now and forever. Amen.)

The Lord wants us to grow in "Grace" , and we sure can grow more and more into the spiritual things of
God, which when we do, the fruits of the Spirit show forth more and more, therefore even though the Holy
Spirit is inside of us, the Spirit can be released out of us, more and more and more, And there is a title of a
book, that goes like this: "Living the presence of God"!!!!!!!
That is were we have got to abide, in the presence of Almighty God!!!

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Now we go unto Acts 20:32.
Act 20:32.
(32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God,
and to the word of his grace, which is able to
build you up, and to give you an inheritance
among all them which are sanctified.)

The word of his grace, or the word of his Spirit, is able to build us up, and it says in another scripture, how
that the word is spirit.
No the word is not the Spirit, and the Spirit is not the word, but the Spirit sure does make the word come
alive!!!
Infact the word and the Spirit work together.
Now we go to Romans 3:24.
Romans 3:24.
(24 Being justified freely by his grace through the
redemption that is in Christ Jesus:)

We are justified by the Holy Spirit, for he, being God, surely can justify us.
And we will now go, unto one more scripture, concerning the "GRACE OF GOD", and then we will cover,
the two New Testament scriptures which have a different Greek word in them, so to describe the word "
grace".
Romans. 5:21.
(21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so
might grace reign through righteousness unto
eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.)

Grace does not reign in sin, but rather in righteousness, and it is not to be merrited, but if we allow Christ's
righteousness to shine through us, it is not mere works were in, but it is no longer us living but rather Christ
living in us , and through us.
We must walk by the love of Jesus, and if we are walking therein, were not under the law, for of such (fruits
of the Spirit) there is no law.
We bring ourselves under the law, when we , for one thing, want to remain in our sins, or are trying to be free

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from sin, through things we do in our own might , power and strenght, rather than believing God and standing
for truth.
We must fight the good fight of faith, when temptation is there, through our spiritual weapons, and not by
carnal means. And if we sin, let us put our faith in the blood of the Lamb, and seek not to go back into that
sin, and I thank God that God is always there to forgive us.
Now let us cover, the two scriptures, that have different "Greek" words than the other New Testament
scriptures, when talking about the word "GRACE".
Let us first cover Colossians 4:18.
Colossians 4:18.
(18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul.
Remember my bonds. Grace be with you.
Amen.)

Now the Greek word, for the word "grace" in this scripture, is the word: "Khire".
The Greek word "Khire" (number 5495 in the Strong's dictionary)means:
Perhaps from the base of G5494 in the sense of it's congener the base of G5490 (through the idea of
hollowness for grasping); the hand (literally or figuratively [power]; especially [by Hebraism] a means or
instrument):-hand.
Now, by studying the scriptures, you will see that alot of scriptures, in the New Testament, are written in a
similar way as this verse, but with just a different Greek word used for the word "GRACE", as this verse.
In the definition of the Greek word, in this scripture, it is talking about a hand and the word power, well I
know that God has got a mighty hand of power, so here, it just seems to be talking about God's mighty hand
of power, and ofcourse we would want for his mighty hand of power to be with us.
Infact you cannot have his mighty hand of power with you, unless you have his Spirit.
And now we will cover our last scripture, concerning the word GRACE.
James 1:11.
(11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning
heat, but it withereth the grass and the flower
thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it
perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in
his ways.)

The Greek word for the word "grace", in this verse, is: "Yoo-prep'-i-ah".

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"Yoo-prep'-i-ah" (number 2143 in the Strong's dictionary) means:
From a compound of G2095 and G4241; good suitableness, that is, gracefulness:-grace.
Well this word "grace" is not referring to the grace of God, but rather to a grace that describes something
that is good and suitable, which in James 1:11, the flower of the grass, lost it's goodness, and suitableness,
therefore rendered not suitable for anything anymore.
So this is basically, the word "Grace" covered, which in the Old Testament, the GRACE of GOD, points to
the favour of God, and in the New Testament (over all), points to the Spirit of God, which makes us
born-again.
The grace of God, is not the love of God, nor is it the mercy of God, but rather it is that which brings forth
the love of God, the mercy of God, the joy of the Lord etc. etc. etc., which is the Spirit of God.
Now in one form or another, both the favor of God and the Spirit of God, are mentioned in the Old
Testament, and in the New testament, and none are to be merrited.
We just need to walk in the grace of God and then he changes us, even if it is one step at a time.
One word I really love, in the word of God, is the word Emmanuel, which means God with us, and for him to
be in us he has got to be with us.
And God is in the midst of his believers.
Now yes God is every where at the same time, pricking the hearts of unbelievers, so they come to him, but
he only truly dwells, with they who have Jesus as their Lord.
Amen!!!!!!!

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