IN THE WORDS OF JESUS–Part 590

Love is the Fulfilling of the Law

ON LOVE; PART CLXXIX

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GoodWill IS Love in Action

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Having cleared our topics of the last several weeks, the words of the Master to Nicodemus, the Fifteen Points of Emmet Fox and the varied side trips into other themes with the most valuable being the few essays that centered around the Apostle Paul’s words to his fellow disciples instructing them on what should be their focus and how they should act in the world, we are ready to take on some new ideas. We will begin with some words from Paul that caught my attention a few weeks back as they appeared as the Verse of the Day from biblegateway.com :

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world”   (Titus 2:11-12).

We begin here with the word grace, a word that is attributed to the ‘gifts’ of God and are usually seen in Earthly measures by church doctrines and this is the common assumption as well.

• The list of definitions in our oldest dictionary reference is lengthy and we place here only the first several that deal with spiritual matters:  1. Favor; good will; kindness; disposition to oblige another; as a grant made as an act of grace. Or each, or all, may win a lady”s grace. 2. Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him. And if by grace,then it is no more of works. Rom.11. 3. Favorable influence of God; divine influence or the influence of the spirit, in renewing the heart and restraining from sin. My grace is sufficient for thee. 2 Cor.12. 4. The application of Christ”s righteousness to the sinner. Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. Rom.5. 5. A state of reconciliation to God. Rom.5.2. 6. Virtuous or religious affection or disposition, as a liberal disposition, faith, meekness, humility, patience, &c. proceeding from divine influence ¹. We should note here that although these definitions are from a secular source, Webster’s 1828 version, they are at the same time oriented toward doctrine and we have left in the scriptural references which we seldom do to reveal this point. 
• In contrast to this, our more modern dictionary gives us a much more secular understanding of grace saying: 1. elegance and beauty of movement, form, expression, or proportion 2. a pleasing or charming quality 3. goodwill or favour 4. the granting of a favour or the manifestation of goodwill, esp by a superior 5. a sense of propriety and consideration for others 6. ( plural ) a. affectation of manner (esp in the phrase airs and graces ) b. in someone’s good graces regarded favourably and with kindness by someone 7. mercy; clemency 8. Christianity a. the free and unmerited favour of God shown towards man b. the divine assistance and power given to man in spiritual rebirth and sanctification c. the condition of being favoured or sanctified by God d. an unmerited gift, favour, etc, granted by God 9. a short prayer recited before or after a meal to invoke a blessing upon the food or give thanks for it 10. music a melodic ornament or decoration 11. See days of grace 12. with bad grace , with a bad grace unwillingly or grudgingly 13. with good grace , with a good grace willingly or cheerfully — vb 14. ( tr ) to add elegance and beauty to: flowers graced the room 15. ( tr ) to honour or favour: to grace a party with one’s presence 16. to ornament or decorate (a melody, part, etc) with nonessential notes. The common thread that we will use in these two dictionary references is in bold type as these lend themselves best to our understanding of this much misunderstood word ¹⁰.
• Moving on to the lexicon we find these defining terms: grace; that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech; good will, loving-kindness, favour; of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues; what is due to grace; the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace; the token or proof of grace, benefit; a gift of grace; benefit, bounty; thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward ². Here we find a totally doctrinal approach to this word. We should note here that this Greek word, charis is translated as grace 130, favour 6, thanks 4, thank 4, thank + (2192)&version=kjv 3, pleasure 2, miscellaneous 7.
• We interject here some word history: Word story ¡Gracias! Grazie! When a Spanish or Italian speaker says thanks, they are invoking one of the meanings behind the word grace.  That’s because grace, gracias,  and grazie  all descend from the same Latin word, grātia. For the ancient Romans, grātia  had three distinct meanings: (1) a pleasing quality, (2) favor or goodwill, and (3) gratitude or thanks. We find all three of these meanings in modern-day English. The first when we describe someone as having (or not having) grace:  “Dancing, she had all the grace of an elephant on skates.” The second when we talk about giving or getting grace:  “by the grace of God.” And the third when we say grace  (i.e., “thanks”) at a meal ⁷. Here we see the originating ideas of the English word as it is intended at its origin; again we have in bold type the ideas that fit into our premise of the intent of this word in scripture.
• Vincent addresses the saying “grace of God” as it applies to our saying from Titus, he tells us that: The grace of God (h cariv tou qeou). A common Pauline phrase. The exact phrase only here in Pastorals. It is the ultimate ground of salvation. Comp. 2 Tim. i. 9; Eph. ii. 5, 8; Gal. i. 15 ⁴. In another place Vincent gives us a more rounded understanding of the Greek word saying:  Grace (carin). From the same root as cairw, to rejoice. 1. Primarily that which gives joy or pleasure; and hence outward beauty, loveliness, something which delights the beholder. Thus Homer, of Ulysses going to the assembly: “Athene shed down manly grace or beauty upon him” (Odyssey,” ii. 12); and Septuagint, Ps. xlv. 3, “grace is poured into thy lips.” See also Prov. i. 9; iii. 22. Substantially the same idea, agreeableness, is conveyed in Luke iv. 22, respecting the gracious words, lit., words of grace, uttered by Christ. So Eph. iv. 29. 2. As a beautiful or agreeable sentiment felt and expressed toward another; kindness, favor, good will. 2 Cor. viii. 6, 7, 9; ix. 8; Luke i. 30; ii. 40; Acts ii. 47. So of the responsive sentiment of thankfulness. See Luke vi. 32, 33, 34; xvii. 9; but mostly in the formula thanks to God; Rom. vi. 17; 1 Cor. xv. 57; 2 Corinthians ii. 14; 2 Tim. i. 3. 3. The substantial expression of good will; a boon, a favor, a gift; but not in New Testament. See Rom. v. 15, where the distinction is made between cariv, grace, and dwrea ejn cariti, a giftin grace. So a gratification or delight, in classical Greek only; as the delight in battle, in sleep, etc. 4. The higher Christian signification, based on the emphasis of freeness in the gift or favor, and, as commonly in New Testament, denoting the free, spontaneous, absolute loving kindness of God toward men, and so contrasted with debt, law, works, sin. The word does not occur either in Matthew or Mark ⁴. Here, although Vincent starts this definition as if it is translated as grace, it is actually translated as favour in the King James Bible that Vincent is commenting on. Here again we see the multiple uses of this single Greek word. While favour is a similar word in English, it is not the same though it can be readily exchanged in scripture with little difference in perceived context. As we proceed we will tend to look at grace as the universal approach and favour as the more specific and individual.
• Strong’s gives us this as the English definition of the Greek word charis: grace, the state of kindness and favor toward someone, often with a focus on a benefit given to the object; by extension: gift, benefit; credit; words of kindness and benefit; thanks, blessing ³. We should note here that the word favor is used as part of the definition while as the same time it is also seen as an alternate meaning and translation.
• Last, we look at Vines where we read: Grace: charis has various uses, (a) objective, that which bestows or occasions pleasure, delight, or causes favorable regard; it is applied, e.g., to beauty, or gracefulness of person, Luke 2:40; act, 2 Cor 8:6, or speech, Luke 4:22, RV, “words of grace” (AV, “gracious words”); Col 4:6; (b) subjective, (1) on the part of the bestower, the friendly disposition from which the kindly act proceeds, graciousness, loving-kindness, goodwill generally, e.g., Acts 7:10; especially with reference to the Divine favor or “grace,” e.g., Acts 14:26; in this respect there is stress on its freeness and universality, its spontaneous character, as in the case of God’s redemptive mercy, and the pleasure or joy He designs for the recipient; thus it is set in contrast with debt, Rom 4:4,16,with works, Rom 11:6, and with law, John 1:17; see also, e.g., Rom 6:14,15; Gal 5:4; (2) on the part of the receiver, a sense of the favor bestowed, a feeling of gratitude, e.g., Rom 6:17 (“thanks”); in this respect it sometimes signifies “to be thankful,” e.g., Luke 17:9 (“doth he thank the servant?” lit., “hath he thanks to”); 1 Tim 1:12; (c) in another objective sense, the effect of “grace,” the spiritual state of those who have experienced its exercise, whether ) a state of “grace,” e.g., Rom 5:2; 1 Pet 5:12; 2 Pet 3:18, or  (2) a proof thereof in practical effects, deeds of “grace,” e.g., 1 Cor 16:3, RV, “bounty” (AV, “liberality”); 2 Cor 8:6,19 (in 2 Cor 9:8 it means the sum of earthly blessings); the power and equipment for ministry, e.g., Rom 1:5; Rom 12:6; Rom 15:15; 1 Cor 3:10; Gal 2:9; Eph 3:2,7. To be in favor with is to find “grace” with, e.g., Acts 2:47; hence it appears in this sense at the beginning and the end of several Epistles, where the writer desires “grace” from God for the readers, e.g., Rom 1:7; 1 Cor 1:3; in this respect it is connected with the imperative mood of the word chairo, “to rejoice,” a mode of greeting among Greeks, e.g., Acts 15:23; James 1:1 (marg.); 2 John 1:10,11, RV, “greeting” (AV, “God speed”). The fact that “grace” is received both from God the Father, 2 Cor 1:12, and from Christ, Gal 1:6; Rom 5:15 (where both are mentioned), is a testimony to the deity of Christ. See also 2 Thess 1:12, where the phrase “according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” is to be taken with each of the preceding clauses, “in you,” “and ye in Him.” In James 4:6, “But He giveth more grace” (Greek, “a greater grace,” RV, marg.), the statement is to be taken in connection with the preceding verse, which contains two remonstrating, rhetorical questions, “Think ye that the Scripture speaketh in vain?” and “Doth the Spirit (the Holy Spirit) which He made to dwell in us long unto envying?” (see the RV). The implied answer to each is “it cannot be so.” Accordingly, if those who are acting so flagrantly, as if it were so, will listen to the Scripture instead of letting it speak in vain, and will act so that the Holy Spirit may have His way within, God will give even “a greater grace,” namely, all that follows from humbleness and from turning away from the world ⁶. Here in Vine’s there is a marked sense of defining based upon perceived doctrinal usage but with this we get the additional understanding of the modes in which the word is used. The objective can be seen as the more secular use of the word while the subjective can be seen from the perspective of the giver and the receiver. From the perspective of the subjective bestowal as we have in our verse above from Titus, we have selected the bolded text above although it is replete with doctrinal tone; the rest will serve to help us understand some of the other specific doctrinal uses of this word translated as grace.

Taking then the entries above that we have in bold type, let us begin to try to understand what IS meant by the “grace of God” as it is used by Paul. In the same order these are:

• From the 1828 Webster’s edition: Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him.
  
• From a modern English dictionary: the free and unmerited favour of God shown towards man
• From the Greek Lexicon: that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech; good will, loving-kindness, favour; 
• From a dictionary word story: favor or goodwill
• From Vincent: It is the ultimate ground of salvation; The substantial expression of good will; the free, spontaneous, absolute loving kindness of God toward men
• From Strong’s: the state of kindness and favor toward someone
• From Vine’s: the friendly disposition from which the kindly act proceeds, graciousness, loving-kindness, goodwill generally, e.g., Acts 7:10; especially with reference to the Divine favor or “grace,”; freeness and universality, its spontaneous character, as in the case of God’s redemptive mercy, and the pleasure or joy He designs for the recipient; thus it is set in contrast with debt, Rom 4:4,16,with works, Rom 11:6, and with law, John 1:17; see also, e.g., Rom 6:14,15; Gal 5:4

The more common doctrinal understanding of grace can be seen in some of these entries above; it is often seen as a kind of gift to those upon whom God would bestow it. Now in our understanding we MUST link this dispensing of grace to our reality of the factual statement by the Apostle Peter that says “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10;34), which says for us that there IS NO special gifting of grace or favor by God to any individual. ALL ARE equal, ALL ARE ONE, and the only place that there is differentiation is found in the spiritual progress that any particular Soul has made through his lives both past and present and even in this there IS NO special privilege given from the perspective of Life in form. This is True because the further one progresses along spiritual lines, the less impact the things of the world and the ideas of the world will have upon him and while there is ever deviation from this understanding based upon the active carnal Life of any Soul, those deviating and falling back in to the clutches of the illusion and the glamour, the Life of mammon if you will, also fall back into the reality that “God is no respecter of persons”. Still the plight of every man is based upon the relative progression of the Soul over his long career of incarnations; his time and place of birth, the culture and status of it, as well as other factors of a current life, remain in the purview of the Soul in a sort of gravitational settling of each in an arena of Life that will be of some benefit toward the goal and the objective of the attainment of the Kingdom of God as a Soul in form in this world. There is no special benefit to any save that which has been earned by past progression toward this goal of redemption and I personally say this despite having in my own mind the realities in my own Life in which the apparent Providence of God has protected me and held me harmless throughout times of badly played Life events.

Through this ALL I cannot say that I have any special privilege or that I have His grace based upon the Christian perspective of this which we can see noted above but I can premise that it is through the mystical workings of my own Soul that I am brought to this point; a point that I have come to through many fits and starts as regards spiritual endeavors as they are interlaced with Life segments of selfish carnal living. Still, as a man in form, I cannot see any special privilege save this which I cite above, no special favor, especially as it regards Life in form. In hindsight I can paint pictures of my Life through experiences and people that have come into it and have unknowingly served to bring me steadily to the True goal and which have me currently doing this thing, this blog, which, as writing on these matters, has been perceived as my destiny for as long as I can remember having a destiny.

This then is our topic, the grace and the favor of God and what it Truly means away from the doctrines of the churches and the preconceived ideas that exist even in the secular world. We will continue with our thoughts in the next post.

Aspect of God	Potency	Expressed as Fire	Aspect of Man	In Relation to the Christ
GOD, The Father	Will or Power	Electric Fire	Spirit or Life	Life
Son, The Christ	Love and Wisdom	Solar Fire	Soul or Christ Within	Truth
Holy Spirit	Light or Activity	Fire by Friction	Life Within the Form	Way

Note on the Quote of the Day

This daily blog also has a Quote of the Day which may not be in any way related to the essay. Many of these will be from the Bible and some just prayers or meditations that may have an influence on you and are in line with the subject matter of this blog. As the quote will change daily and will not store with the post, it is repeated in this section with the book reference and comment:

Leaving again the Great Invocation, we encourage ALL to read and reread it and our comments as in these words can be found the keys to our spiritual reality.

From the point of Light within the Mind of God
Let light stream forth into the minds of men.
Let Light descend on Earth.

From the point of Love within the Heart of God
Let love stream forth into the hearts of men.
May Christ return to Earth.

From the centre where the Will of God is known
Let purpose guide the little wills of men–
The purpose which the Masters know and serve.

From the centre which we call the race of men
Let the Plan of Love and Light work out
And may it seal the door where evil dwells.

Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth.

This prayer is a part of our Prayers and Meditations section and there is much information about it there and in our discussion of it in the Quote of the Day section of In the Words of Jesus parts 128-132

The above Invocation or Prayer does not belong to any person or group but to all Humanity. The beauty and the strength of this Invocation lies in its simplicity, and in its expression of certain central truths which all men, innately and normally, accept—the truth of the existence of a basic Intelligence to Whom we vaguely give the name of God; the truth that behind all outer seeming, the motivating power of the universe is Love; the truth that a great Individuality came to earth, called by Christians, the Christ, and embodied that love so that we could understand; the truth that both love and intelligence are effects of what is called the Will of God; and finally the self-evident truth that only through humanity itself can the Divine Plan work out.

Like the Lord’s Prayer, this invocation is a World Prayer which is as all that a prayer is intended to be. It is a prayer for the uplifting of the Human Family out of the mire of materialism and selfishness. The Lord’s Prayer asks nothing for the individual praying it but asks that its benefits be for US and for WE which is why it was given by the Christ as a prayer and as a model over 2000 years ago. This invocation is also attributed to the Christ who, as He promised, has never left us; He, through channels that we do not readily understand, has Himself instructed His disciples to distribute this prayer and to encourage its use as a world prayer and as an aid in preparing the world for His return.

The first three stanzas of this prayer should be understood as reflecting the effective potencies of the Trinity which is God and which, when brought down to an individual level, the Trinity which is Man. His Will, His Love and His Light we should seen as the Potent Powers of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Let the peace of God rule in your hearts!

• ‡  From The Fifteen Points by Emmet Fox; © 1932 HarperCollins Publishers Inc
• ¹ Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, 1828 and 1913
• ² from New Testament Greek Lexicon on BibleStudyTools.com
• ³ Strongest Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible – 2001
• ⁴ Word Studies in the New Testament; Marvin R Vincent D.D. 2nd edition, 1888
• ⁶ Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, 1996
• ⁷ Dictionary.com Unabridged based on Random House Dictionary – 2011
• ¹⁰ Dictionary.com. Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers