Article July 28, 1997 Issue

Grace for today

Richard A. Mather

GRACE is one of those familiar terms that many would have trouble defining in a word or two. In its most general sense, grace means favor, kindness, or goodwill toward another. In the Bible it has rich theological connotations, and has to do with mankind's finding favor with God.

Although many are taught that basically people deserve only judgment and punishment, the good news of the Bible is the fact that God's love for His children is freely offered. Both the Old and New Testaments tell over and over of God's mercy and forgiveness, His repeated covenanting with His people for their peace and security, and His unfailing care for them.

This is supremely apparent in the passage "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that ... the world through him might be saved" (John 3:16, 17). This coming of the Christ embodies the grace of God above all else, for it is in Christ that mankind finds a right relationship with God, and the remedy for sin and hopelessness.

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