Editorial December 30, 1944 Issue

Growth in Grace

Margaret Morrison

That there shall be growth in grace is one of the demands of Christianity, and this demand is clarified and made an exact and joyous experience of progress through an understanding of the teachings of Christian Science. Through this teaching the word "grace," like so many other beautiful words in our human language, is redeemed and takes on new meaning, new strength, and beauty. On page 4 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, says, "What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds." Throughout her writings she speaks of the potency and power of grace, its tenderness, its refreshing and revivifying nature, its healing might and miraculous phenomena, and she assures us that it proceeds from an understanding of God.

The dictionary gives many interesting definitions and aspects of grace. Two most enlightening ones are those which present God as the source of grace, and grace as "the operation of divine love." Grace is also defined as virtue and good will. The thought of grace then is redeemed from any sense of weakness or artificiality and given its rightful place of power.

Jesus the Christ was the greatest exponent of grace the world has known. In the Gospel of St. Luke we read, "And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth." However, not only were his words gracious, but his works proved the truth and power of grace—the potency of its rebuke and the tenderness of its love. With his coming, grace was lifted above the law (moral) and recognized indeed as "the operation of divine love." John the beloved disciple made this most clear when he said, "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." In the same Gospel of St. John we have an illustration of this declaration in the story of the adulterous woman. When the pharisaical moralists of the time, under the law of Moses, would have stoned this woman, Jesus with the grace of Christ healed her, set her free, and convicted her accusers of their own transgressions.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Growth in Grace

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access