by Craig McKellar
This is a time when we are bombarded with information, learning what words like “zoonotics” mean and discovering new words related to Covid-19 like “covidiot” (someone ignoring public health advice), “covideo party” (online parties via Zoom or Skype), and “covexit” (the strategy for exiting lockdown).
Other words show how this pandemic has affected our lives, from “Blursday” (an unspecified day because of lockdown’s disorientating effect on time), to “zoombombing” (hijacking a Zoom videocall). “WFH” (working from home) and “quaranteams” (online teams created during lockdown) describe ways of working during this time.
I find it helpful to remind myself of ‘ancient’ words that are enduring, words that were there before this pandemic and will be there after it passes. One word that is hugely meaningful to our salvation and our everyday lives is “grace.” And how we need grace in a time like this. Here’s a reminder of its meaning as we find it in the Scriptures followed by a poem called ‘Grace’ by Paul Tripp, where he uses different metaphors to describe God’s grace. What metaphors can you think of to describe His grace in your own life?
A Look at the Word ‘Grace’
“Charis, which is translated “grace,” “favor,” “thanks,” and so on, appears 156 times in the Greek New Testament. Its context is often the “the grace of God” or “the grace of our Lord Jesus,” because his grace is unlike any other.
Charis is the obvious root of charisma, gift, and in itself is a gift. It’s been said that justice is getting what you deserve, mercy is not getting what you deserve, but grace is getting what you don’t deserve. In a nutshell, this is the theology of grace: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift (charisma) of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23 NASB). Grace comes to us not through our efforts but through divine initiative. It cannot be earned, only received.
Grace is related to freedom. It offers freedom from the consequences of sin, but not the freedom to sin. It is freely given by God (see Eph. 2:4-9) and must be received as such. (Deeper into the Word-Reflections on 100 words from the New Testament)
Grace (a poem by Paul David Tripp)
Your grace is a
cool drink,
warm welcome,
legal defense,
needed warning,
substitute sacrifice,
motivating hope,
warming sun,
welcomed rain,
loving whisper,
humbling confrontation,
guaranteed future,
ultimate gift,
fine meal,
corrective surgery,
heart therapy,
restful oasis,
constant comfort,
promised destiny,
need fulfilment,
sure contentment,
battle won.
All that the law exposes-
my wandering desires,
my fickle heart,
my disloyal eyes,
my sinful lust,
my doubting mind,
my misplaced worship,
my selfish entitlement,
my false righteousness,
my stubborn independence,
my moral failure,
my boundary breaking-
and all the ways I fall short,
your grace, and only
your grace,
forgives,
rescues,
transforms,
and delivers.
You are the best food.
You give the best welcome.
You satisfy.
You fulfil.
It is you, and only you, that I
need.
It is on you only that I
feed.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Rom. 3:23-24