When I hear of a woman named Grace, the biblical significance of the name does not come to mind immediately. I first think of someone who is physically coordinated. Grace is elegance or beauty in form, manner or motion. Another thought - As a child, I learned that grace was a short prayer before or after a meal, as in saying grace. Still another - I hear it used as a title when addressing or mentioning a duke, duchess or an archbishop. “Your Grace.”
I consider Grace to be a biblical girl’s name because a look into the Bible brings to light the most treasured use of the word. The word grace in the Bible, refers to the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.
- John 1:14 tells us that God left His heavenly throne, became flesh and came to live with us here on earth. He was full of grace and truth. The Bible says that we receive blessings from the fullness of His grace. John 1:16.
- God gave us rules for righteous living through Moses, in the Ten Commandments. Those rules show us what sin is. God knew that we would be unable to keep those commandments - we would commit sin. Sin breaks the rules for holy living and keeps us away from God. The punishment for sin is death. Jesus purposely died on the cross to take our punishment for that sin so that we can have eternal life with God. Jesus came to show us grace.
- God gives grace, for a time, even to those who don’t believe. “He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good.” Matthew 5:44,45 But those who refuse to worship Him will forfeit His grace. Jonah 2:8
Grace is a powerful word.
David Timms, in his book “Living the Lord’s Prayer” says it this way. “Grace is receiving the opposite of what we deserve. We deserve punishment; we receive blessing. We deserve judgment; we receive adoption. We deserve alienation; we receive welcome.”
Although we can never out give God in the giving of grace, it is something that we can extend to others. When we are offended, we are kind. We are forgiving. We do not take advantage of the restitution that we feel we deserve. We give it to someone who does not deserve it.
Grace is full of God’s love. That’s grace, amazing grace – a beautiful word.
Walking With Women of the Bible
by Lynne Chapman
