Article May 29, 1920 Issue

Grace

BERNARD M. JOY

The steady and gradual development of spiritual understanding as it unfolds in the thought of the writers of Scripture appears very clearly to the student awakened to the practical import of the Bible. A most interesting example of this unfoldment may be observed in a study of the word "grace" in both the Old and the New Testament. The frequency of its use and the peculiar emphasis and reference made thereto seem to attach a significance to its meaning and character not generally appreciated.

Designated in the early Scriptures as the bestowal of divine favor or pardon, grace slowly ascends the height of inspiration and becomes manifested in individual consciousness as the actual activity of the divine nature of God. Instead of a reluctant favor bestowed upon an unworthy subject by a fearful but just ruler, it gradually assumes the form of a benign and blessed influence in the hearts of mankind. Indeed, it appears to denote in the later Scriptures an essential element contributing to the success of the struggle between a human sense of things and a perfect understanding of the loving-kindness of God. To every earnest student seeking to know the way of salvation it is worthy of careful consideration.

To human sense, grace is assumed to be a highly desirable attainment expressing beauty of intellect, charm of manner, and loveliness of character. Too often, however, a false sense of education and social culture has led mankind into the error of believing grace to be a peculiar elegance of speech, action, and deportment acquired through the practice of certain forms and ceremonies; in other words, that grace is a sort of mental garment to be donned for personal display and attraction. Such a perversion of true comeliness and worth has only served to promote mortal duplicity, social diplomacy, and superficial politeness—the very soil of deceit, sown with seeds of hypocrisy. It seeks to cover beneath a cloak of pretty speeches, charming manner, and brilliant wit, a desolate waste of ghastly lies which are the very antipode of gentleness, purity, and good will—the embodiment of grace.

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