My Favorite Word in the Bible

If you have read any of my writing, it won’t come as a surprise to you that the word “grace” is my favorite and most frequently used in the Christian vocabulary. Other than the word (and names of) God, I would argue there is nothing more important that the human mind could consider and mouth speak.

This month of Wednesday’s Word devotionals have been all about grace. We started with five life-changing words from James 4:6, “But he gives more grace,” followed by reflections on double grace, restraining grace, and common grace.

I. Just. Love. Grace. (Fun fact: Luella’s middle name is Grace!)

We could dig into grace every Wednesday for the rest of our lives and never come close to reaching the bottom of its power and glory! But I’ll move on (for now), with one final devotional to conclude this month.

Either now or at the end, read the full first chapter of Ephesians. I’ll highlight just a few verses:

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ […] In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us” (vv. 2, 5–8).

Grace levels the playing field. It is what every human needs, no matter who they are or where they are. Men and women, young and old, rich and poor, the healthy and the sick, the popular and forgotten, the joyful and the downcast need grace.

Grace is the ultimate spiritual game changer. It is the one thing that has the power to change you and everything about you.

Grace explodes into your life in a moment and occupies you for all of eternity.

Grace is a gift you’ll never deserve but is always guaranteed.

Grace devastates you while giving you peace of heart and rest of soul you have never experienced before.

Grace requires you to confess your unworthiness but never makes you feel alone and unloved.

Grace calls you to examine yourself with honesty and humility but frees you from being paralyzed by fearful introspection.

Grace puts you in your place but never puts you down or casts you out.

Grace reminds you that you have no ability whatsoever to earn God’s favor but dispels your fear of not measuring up.

Grace confronts you that you are way less than you thought while comforts you with the promise that you can be way more than you ever imagined.

Grace reminds you of what you are not so you will receive God’s welcome to what you can now be.

Grace requires you to admit to your catalog of weaknesses while empowering you with newfound strength.

Grace drives you to the end of yourself while holding before you the promise of fresh starts and new beginnings.

Grace decimates your little kingdom of one while inviting you to a much better, more glorious King.

Grace exposes your blindness while giving you eyes to see.

Grace makes you sadder than you have ever been in your life while supplying you with a joy and celebration that nothing or no one can take away.

Grace is a tool God uses to transform you, but it also defines the nature of his relationship to you.

Grace is a jewel of God’s character and the only reliable place to rest your hope.

Grace is a wonderful story and the best gift ever.

But grace is more than just a story, it’s more than just a theology, and it’s more than just a powerful force.

Grace is a Person, and his name is Jesus.

Jesus is the grace of God.

By grace and because of grace, Jesus is yours. And you are his.

Right here.

Right now.

And for all of eternity.

“Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.” (Ephesians 6:24)

A Prayer for Today: God, help me to experience your grace in ways that I haven’t been able to see before. Open my eyes to your presence and power, and give me a glimpse into areas of my life that I haven’t recognized before, but I know your grace touches. I need you to help me appreciate you, and I admit that now. There is no better place to be than in the presence of your grace, so help me to appreciate it and stay in its way no matter the circumstances of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Discussion Prompt for Children

1. You’ve probably heard “the grace of God” said before, but what do you think the word “grace” actually means? Why is God’s grace so important?

2. How do you think we as human beings can experience God’s grace? How does Jesus make it possible for us to experience the grace of God? Why is grace more of a person than a force?

Reflection Questions

1. In the past, how have you typically thought about the grace of God? What has it meant to you? How have you recognized it as a part of your daily life? What has stood in the way of you feeling the grace of God? What has typically acted as a conduit of God’s grace in your life?

2. How would you describe God’s grace to someone who doesn’t have a biblical framework for it? Why is God’s grace more than just a story, theology, or powerful force? Why is grace ultimately a person?

3. Why do you think grace is a universal need amongst every human being? Why isn’t grace limited to just when someone becomes a follower of Christ and when they die? Why is grace necessary for every moment of our lives?

4. How have you experienced grace being simultaneously comforting and disrupting in your life? What do you think that means for God’s grace extended to you in the future?