For me, this was a word that I know I misunderstood for many years. Growing up in the organizational church across several denominations, it was always taught in every case that it was the favor God has given us—oftentimes an overlooking of my faults, or a second, third, etc., chance mentality. Is grace these things? Partially.
When I came to the full understanding of grace in my life, it changed everything. I would even go as far as saying it was almost like understanding Christ died for me, knowing He rose from the grave. The true understanding of grace is that transformative. Without understanding its true meaning, it's only part of the story. So let's open up the full meaning of grace as we see it written in Scripture.
Xáris ("grace") answers directly to the Hebrew (OT) term Kaná ("grace, extension-toward"). Both refer to God freely extending Himself (His favor, grace), reaching (inclining) to people because He is disposed to bless (be near) them. Then the transliteration is found in the New Testament, which is the Greek word "charis."
It can mean thanks, favor, or credit, in part. The fullness of this word is expressed in the rest of its definition—the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life. You see, grace isn't just God giving you something you didn't work for or earn as a credit because He was doing your unworthy self a favor. Grace is given to each of us in our unworthy state so we are made worthy, then empowered by the influence of the Holy Spirit within us so that the expressions of His heart reflect out of our lives. Grace is the very power by which we become more like Jesus. The death of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection removed the power of sin over our lives and gave us a new power over sin. That power is grace!
Scripture says it this way in Romans 5:20 (TPT):
"So then, the law was introduced into God’s plan to bring the reality of human sinfulness out of hiding. And yet, wherever sin increased, there was more than enough of God’s grace to triumph all the more!"
It was a gift as BIG as Jesus. Grace comes through the Holy Spirit (the divine influence upon the heart). Check this out in Ephesians 4:7 (TPT):
"And he has generously given each one of us supernatural grace, according to the size of the gift of Christ."
And Ephesians 2:8–9:
"For by grace you have been saved by faith. Nothing you did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the love gift from God that brought us to Christ! So no one will ever be able to boast, for salvation is never a reward for good works or human striving."
As we put our faith in Jesus Christ, grace comes into our lives. The accuser will use everything in his arsenal to try to convince you otherwise. Temptation will try to overwhelm. The flesh itself will crave things of this world, but remember—God's grace is there to triumph all the more!
As you keep your faith in Jesus, He will divinely influence your heart through the Holy Spirit, and the reflection of that influence will be seen in your life: in your speech, your actions, your attitudes, and your character. Don't get caught up in your failures in this. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Renew your mind with the reading of the Word, endure in your faith in Jesus Christ, and do not give way to any alternative view. Christ will bring about your maturity in Him.
Take a look at this promise in Philippians 1:6 (TPT):
"I pray with great faith for you, because I’m fully convinced that the One who began this gracious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ!"
The pressure is off; condemnation has no voice (Romans 8:1). Grace will lead you into living a sanctified, holy, God-fearing, spiritual-fruit-bearing life! Let the depth of this grace find deep roots in your heart with enduring faith as you live a life led by the Holy Spirit, becoming Christlike in all you do. Blessing each of you, and may grace abound over every work of the enemy that tries to raise a false narrative in your life today!