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What a Christian Believes

One of the most common explanations or definitions of Grace
has been UNDESERVED FAVOUR. It is put most clearly in
Titus 3 v4,5 'But when the kindness and love of God our
saviour appeared, He saved us, not because of the
righteous things we had done but because of His mercy.'

The origional greek word implies 'a favour freely done', rather
like a parent would do for a child. It has however, a number
of different elements that work together for man's benefit.

The Bible describes many agreements or arrangements that
God has made with or on behalf of man. These are called
COVENANTS. The Bible is laid out in two sections, known
as the Old and New Testaments, which means Old & New
Covenants.
The old and the new covenants, or agreements differ
considerably. God's Old Testament people (Israel) were
given many rules to keep. This is known as the LAW.

The LAW blessed the good and punished the bad.

The Grace of the new covenant blesses the good and
saves the bad.

The first day when grace superseded the law was the time of
the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The last day
when grace will operate for mankind is when Jesus returns
for us to be with Him forever and brings to an end all things,
by creating a new heaven and a new earth.

The parts that make up GRACE are:

1. The free and undeserved love and favour of God was the
original motive and which is described in John 3 v16 'God so
loved the world that He gave His one and only Son...'

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