LS-47-The Grace of our Lord Jesus

The Grace of our Lord Jesus For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might become rich.--2 Corinthians 8:9.

What do we mean when we speak of the grace of Christ? We understand it well enough, of course, but would you find it easy to tell? "It is the free favour of God," you say. Yes, but how cold and formal that is! What does such a definition tell of the wondrous message of sovereign grace that was so often on the lips of Paul? "I know until you ask me," said Augustine, "when you ask me I do not know." Most of us have felt that difficulty.

"You really cannot define grace," said Dr. Jowett. "Grace is energy. Grace is love-energy. Grace is redeeming love-energy ministering to the unlovely with its own loveliness. Yet we cannot really define it." Dr. Jowett went on to tell of the wing of a native bird he had received from a friend who was a missionary in some primeval forest--a little sample of the wealth of colour to be found in that tropical home. "And when we have made a compact phrase to enshrine the secret of grace, I feel that, however fair and radiant it may be, we have only got a wing of a native bird, and bewildering stretches of wealth are untouched and unrevealed. No; we cannot define it." The word was often used by the apostle. He loved to speak about it. Its root meaning is anything that gives joy or pleasure, or is delightful. Since beauty was delightful, the word early came to be applied to anything that was beautiful. A beautiful movement of the body is graceful. A well-fitting garment is graceful. We use the word, especially of the refined and delicate type of beauty. The fertile mythology of the Greeks constructed three beautiful personalities--goddesses who enhanced the enjoyments of life by refinement and gentleness. They called them the Three Graces.

It was early seen that there is an inner as well as an outward beauty. There is beauty of character, Well calculated to give delight to beholders. Look at those qualities of unselfishness which issue in kindness and consideration for others. They are delightful ornaments in character. Lovingkindness is a grace. It charms us at once.

Let us now turn our eyes to that supremely beautiful picture of grace which the apostle holds before our wondering eyes. "Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor that ye through His poverty might become rich."

We feel like "saying grace" as we gaze upon, it--saying thanks, for that is what the word means in this connection. In the New Testament, the word that is commonly rendered grace, sometimes means thanks. "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift." Let us then bow in grateful thanks as we receive the emblems that speak to us of His redeeming grace.