Grace is received as a gift, and grace cannot be earned. Grace is given and can only be accepted, not earned. Self-righteousness, therefore, cannot recognize grace – after all, there is no need in self-righteousness. The self-righteous man stands alone. However, the one who gives grace and the one who receives grace are related to each other.

Self-righteousness, therefore, cannot recognize grace – after all, there is no need in self-righteousness. The self-righteous man stands alone.

The Greek word for grace (gr. charis) has the same root as the word for joy (gr. chara) and the word for thanksgiving (gr. eucharisteo) and thanksgiving (gr. eucharistia). You can also say that grace is something that causes joy and leads to thanksgiving.

The same root is still found in the word for gift of grace (Gr. charisma), which denotes the consequence of grace. When Paul writes to the Romans:

“For I long to set my eyes upon you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift of grace, that I may strengthen you”
Rom 1:11 (KNT)

then he wants to pass on what he himself has received. Spiritual gift of grace concerns all that comes forth from grace. That wants to be shared. This is something to build on. With this, we can encourage and strengthen each other. The writer of Hebrews says:

“for it is excellent to make the heart steady in grace”.
Heb 13:9 (KNT)

It is an experience of trust that grows out of the Good News. Grace in the biblical sense is never detached from God’s activity. The apostle begins almost all his letters with the greeting: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 1:1).

God’s grace wants to reach us, and in us, the deepest places and most hidden places, to fill them completely – so that peace and thanksgiving may come.