The English word grace appears 148 times in the New King James Version of the Bible.
The Hebrew חֵן (ḥēn) appears 69 times. It is defined in Strongs as “precious, favored, acceptance.” It literally means to separate from the outside.
The Greek χάρις (charis) appears 156 times. It is defined in Strongs as goodwill, loving kindness, that which afford favor.
Grace is defined by Miriam-Webster as:
unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification
a virtue coming from God
a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine assistance
But what does it MEAN?
Sanctified means to be set apart. In an unmerited (unearned) way, and through divine assistance (God’s grace), we are set apart. God has called us to Himself, to be used by Him and for Him, in grace.
The Bible tells us to be in the world, yet not of the world. The way we can accomplish this is through God’s grace – to accept the gift of grace offered by Him that allows us to be set apart – sanctified – through His son Yeshua (Jesus).
Hebrews 10:15-18 says:
For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”
The author of Hebrews is quoting Jeremiah 31:33. By Yeshua’s death and resurrection, we receive the grace of God that writes His law in our hearts and minds, sanctifying us (separating us) as His people, cleansing us of our sins.
It is a beautiful gift from a loving and gracious God.
