The Meaning of Grace
In the Holy Scriptures ‘grace’ means primarily God’s loving kindness, his
benevolence. Throughout the Bible we read that God is gracious, merciful and
kind. Even when he is described as punishing sinners, the main emphasis is
always on God’s mercy: what the Bible calls his ‘anger’ or ‘wrath’ is really his
burning zeal for truth, compassion, and righteousness, which, when it is met by
human hard-heartedness is experienced as something negative.
Jesus is the ultimate expression of God’s grace for us. His very name means
‘God’ saves.’ In Jesus, God turns to the world with compassion in a wholly
unexpected way – by coming and sharing our human condition even unto death.
The ultimate expression of God’s graciousness was his raising Jesus from death
at Easter and thus promising us a bright future, full of hope.
Collect
O God, you declare your almighty power
most chiefly in showing mercy and pity:
mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace,
that we, running the way of your commandments,
may receive your gracious promises,
and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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