Grace   

Do we know what the word "grace" really means?

The word for grace in the Greek is 'charis' which means - "a divine influence upon the heart with a reflection through the life"

In other words it's not really unmerited favor like we've all come to believe.  Rather it is a much stronger definition which both encourages

and challenges us to walk in obedience to God.  It basically means that

by 'God's influence on our hearts we are empowered to walk in His ways and that influence shines outward from us.'  The Scriptures point to this throughout.

      "...after those days says the LORD: I will put My law

      in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I

      will be their God, and they shall be My people."

                                                                   Jeremiah 31:33

    "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you

      to walk in My statutes, and you will keep

      My judgments and do them."

                                             Ezekiel 36:27

    "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and

     that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

     not of works, lest anyone should boast.

     For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus

     for good works, which God prepared beforehand

     that we should walk in them."

                                               Ephesians 2:8-10

     "Let your light so shine before men, that they

      may see your good works and glorify your

     Father in heaven."

                               Matthew 5:16

If we are filled with His grace then we are strengthened by the Spirit for "obedience to the faith" as Paul says in Romans.  So if our faith is real, then works will follow and proclaim the reality of our faith, all by the power of His grace.  God's grace truly is amazing!