What is Biblical Grace?

The definition of “grace” when it is associated with Yahuah’s grace, is generally defined as unmerited favor and pardon. It is the kindness of  Yahuah toward individuals and toward all His creation that is neither earned nor deserved. There is nothing that we can do to earn Yahuah’s favor for it is an undeserved gift that He gives because He desires to give it. He desires to give it because He is full of goodness and love.

It is because of Yahuah’s divine favor (grace) that we are called and then given the opportunity to become RENEWED into the spiritual image of our Heavenly Father, eventually becoming His very sons and daughters qualified to live forever with Him in His Kingdom.

1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of Yahuah: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of Yahuah, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

In addition to our calling and receiving unmerited pardon when we receive Yahusha’s atonement for our sins, our Heavenly Father continues to pour out His grace in the form of divine assistance in our sanctification process until the very end of our lives if we remain faithful until death. 

The grace of Yahuah is a PRICELESS GIFT! but it is never a license to sin, nor is it to be used as an excuse to be lax in our calling to become perfect as Yahuah the Father and His Son Yahusha are perfect. Jude has something to say about the grace of Yahuah.

Jude 1:3  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our Elohim into lasciviousness  [turning the mercy of Yahuah into a license to continue in sin], and denying the only Sovereign Yahuah, and our Master Yahusha HaMashiach.

In this passage Jude is warning the Believers of the need to earnestly contend for the faith that had been given to them by Yahuah through the prophets of old, by Yahusha and by the apostles, (See 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Ephesians 2:19-21, 2 Peter 3:1-2) for Jude could see that false teachers pretending to be of the faith were coming into the assemblies by stealth and were bringing with them their damnable false teachings.

What was one of those false teachings? Jude tells us in plain language! He was alerting the brethren to the fact that there were certain men (false teachers and false brethren) who were propagating the idea that because of the grace of Yahuah and the fact that He is so merciful, His grace frees us from the “law” therefore Believers do not have to worry about keeping the commandments of Yahuah, that Yahuah’s grace will cover all sins, in effect, turning the mercy of Yahuah, which is given to those who sincerely repent, into a LICENCE (permission) to continue in sin.

This teaching comes in various forms and has continued to infiltrate the Ekklesia from the time of Jude and the other apostles down through the ages. This teaching is very much a component of the false teachings of mainstream  Christian religion, but also raises its insidious head within the assemblies of the Ekklesia even to this day.

Just as the brethren of Jude’s day were being warned, this solemn warning is also directed to the Ekklesia from the time of Jude’s writings right up until our modern times and just before Yahusha returns. As we look back over history, we see that this, indeed, has happened.

Jude tells us that we must earnestly contend for and to VIGOROUSLY FIGHT FOR the sound doctrines contained in the Word for he could see that many in the assemblies were beginning to depart from the truth as a result of false teachers and false brethren in his day.  This has been happening throughout the years since Jude wrote his epistle and continues to happen in our modern times. Our faith and our salvation are under very strong and subtle attack by those who would want to subvert us! We need to be reminded of Satan’s subtlety in the garden. His first ploy was to tempt Eve to doubt Yahuah’s word. Satan then made the sin to rebel against Yahuah look desirable to Eve by the logic he used by making the eating of the forbidden fruit seem very reasonable. He even promised her that the eating of the fruit would give her supernatural attributes; Eve was tempted to do as Satan said (to have faith in Satan) rather than trusting in Yahuah and obeying His commandment to not eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. 

Our faith in Yahuah and His mandate to follow Him and keep His commandments has been under attack since the time of Adam and Eve. The false idea that we no longer have to keep Yahuah’s laws is really Satan’s subtle message that we can go ahead and sin and Yahuah will just have to forgive us; that no matter what we do “we will not surely die”.  But Scriptures tells us the opposite, that “the soul that sins, it SHALL die” (Ezekiel 18:20).

Our faith and zeal to live by every Word of Yahuah is constantly being attacked through the temptation to take the easy way; to listen to these false teachers without checking and proving for ourselves what they teach is really true. It is easy to sit back and let others work out our salvation for us and to blindly follow and depend on the institution we belong to, or the church leader, to tell us what we must believe, instead of making a personal diligent effort to grow in the knowledge and understanding of Yahuah’s truth contained in the Word of Yahuah on our own and proving all things according to the Scriptures. According to the teachings of many preachers and church leaders, are we to believe that the Laws of Yahuah have been done away and that we no longer need to keep them as New Covenant Believers? Is that what “grace” is all about?

The apostle Paul in his letter to those living in Rome, explained that those who are forgiven (have received Yahuah’s unmerited pardon) and are now walking according to the Spirit, are no longer under the death sentence.  The death sentence is the PENALTY for breaking Yahuah’s laws (See Romans 6:23). Because of what Yahusha HaMashiach has done for us by dying on the stake, we are no longer condemned to die the eternal death if we have sincerely repented of our sins and have committed to stop doing those things that we repented of. After repenting of our sins and being forgiven by the grace of Yahusha, we are to then walk after the Ruach HaKodesh, which is the Way of Righteousness. 

Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to Yahuah, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of Yahuah is eternal life through Yahusha HaMashiach our Master.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in the Messiah Yahusha, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Ruach HaKodesh. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Yahusha HaMashiach hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, Yahuah sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Ruach (Spirit).

Modern day Christendom does not understand this profound truth, and instead, teaches that Yahuah’s laws have been done away with or that because Yahusha fulfilled the law, we do not have to keep it anymore, or that the teachings under the Old Testament about those laws are no longer relevant to those who are now under the New Covenant.

The Protestant religion teaches that the laws of Yahuah were “nailed to the cross” when Yahusha was crucified, and therefore, the commandments of Yahuah are no longer valid. This just does not make any sense at all, yet this is what the Protestants teach to justify the fact that they do not have to keep Yahuah’s commandments, especially the Sabbath commandment. This teaching is typically taught to their adherents and one of their justifications for teaching this is because of a misunderstanding of what Paul actually wrote in Colossians 2:14  “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”

Most of mainstream Christianity assert that the commandments as listed in the Old Testament are Jewish religious laws which were only given to the Jewish people to keep and therefore do not apply to Christians, whom they consider to be gentiles, and therefore they are not under the “Law of Moses” or “Laws of the Jews”.

But Yahuah no where teaches that His laws, as given in the Old Testament, are done away with in the New Testament; in fact, He teaches just the opposite! Certain Scriptures have been twisted to try to make them fit these people’s definition of sin so that they can justify their refusal to keep His laws.

Even common sense tells us that Yahuah would not make up laws and ordinances in the past, and then make up laws that are contradictory to those very commands at some other time.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) and He does not change (Malachi 3:6)!

In fact, we are all familiar with what Yahusha taught in His Sermon on the Mount in regard to Yahuah’s laws; keeping them not only in the letter, but He went on to give examples of how we are to keep the law even in the spirit. The Beatitudes that He expounded upon on that day, teach us that His disciples must go even beyond the literal keeping of Yahuah’s commandments by keeping them in the very spiritual intent of those commandments from the heart. Yahusha taught, and even gave examples, of how we are to keep both the literal and the spiritual applications of the Laws of Yahuah, the very commandments that are contained in the Old Covenant (See Matthew 5-7). 

Yahusha explicitly states that:

Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

If we correctly read what Colossians 2:14 says and understand what Paul is actually teaching, it definitely does not say that Elohim’s Laws were nailed to the cross. It says that the DEBT (or penalty) that we incur when we sin, is what was nailed to the cross (if we have gone to Him for forgiveness and are sincerely repentant of those sins); not the LAWS that define what those sins are. 

Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Here is the same passage in the AMP version of the Bible which makes it somewhat clearer: 

Colossians  2:13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (worldliness, manner of life), Yahuah made you alive together with Messiah, having (freely) forgiven us all our sins, 14 having canceled out the certificate (a) of debt consisting of legal demands (which were in force) against us and which were hostile to us. And this certificate (a)  He has set aside and completely removed by nailing it to the cross. (Amplified Bible) 

Footnotes [a]:  Colossians 2:14 “This term refers to a debtor’s handwritten note acknowledging the debt.”

You can go to Bible.com to view the many translations that render “handwriting of ordinances that was against us” as  “certificate of debt”, “our legal indebtedness” or “charges, or record of charges against us”.  It is this “certificate of debt” that was nailed to the stake, meaning that Yahusha’s death paid the penalty that we had incurred by our sins.  https://www.biblehub.com/colossians/2-14.htm

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul is instructing Believers that the indictment for sin (the penalty, which is the death penalty) against us when we sin is what has been nailed to the stake! Those who are forgiven by the applied sacrifice of Yahusha’s blood over their sins, are no longer subject to the legal indebtedness (penalty) against them, for He paid that penalty with His own death on the stake. 

It is the PENALTY for breaking Yahuah’s laws (for those who repent and seek forgiveness) that has been dropped by nailing that penalty (which is the death penalty) to the stake by the crucifixion and death of Yahusha HaMashiach; it is absolutely NOT Elohim’s Torah (Law).

Many misunderstand the true definition of “grace” and twist what Paul said as an excuse for believing that they do not have to keep Yahuah’s laws, especially the commandments pertaining to the keeping of the Sabbath and the Holy Days.

Most mainstream nominal Christians refuse to even consider the fact that Yahuah’s commandments are commanded for all mankind to observe and have not been done away with. It is part of man’s nature to balk at the idea that he must keep all that Yahuah commands, and that Yahuah requires all people to obey what He says in His Word. It is because the carnal man (and his unconverted heart) is at enmity against Yahuah’s laws!

Romans 8:5  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against Yahuah: for it is not subject to the law of Yahuah, neither indeed can be.

Ecclesiaste 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear Yahuah, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man [not just the Jews or people of Old Testament] 14 For Yahuah shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Paul in many other places, reiterates that he is absolutely not against the law of Yahuah; nor does he ever teach against it, but rather exhorts the brethren to obey all the laws of Yahuah. In fact, Paul loves Yahuah’s laws, just as we should. Paul even breaks out in exuberance over what the law does for us and declares that it is HOLY, JUST and GOOD! This is so very important to know in conjunction with GRACE and what it means to be forgiven and to have faith that Yahuah forgives us; Yahuah’s grace is by no means a license to continue in sin!

Believers need to know the seriousness of transgressing against Yahuah’s laws; they need to recognize when they have broken them and then to be heartbroken enough to seek Yahuah’s forgiveness and then be heartbroken enough to commit in their hearts that they will STOP doing those sins any more; that is what constitutes true repentance.  Here are some verses that validate that Paul was absolutely NOT against Yahuah’s Law:

Romans 3:31  Do we then make void the law through faith? Yahuah forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 

Paul also said this: “For not the hearers of the law are just before Yahuah, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” (Romans 2:13)

Because of a misunderstanding of Paul’s words in the Colossians 2 passage, many mainstream theologians in their teachings diminish the need for believers in Yahusha HaMashiach to study and adhere to the Old Testament because they falsely teach that Christians are now under the New Covenant of mercy and grace and therefore the Old Testament is irrelevant, including its laws and ordinances contained in its Word. 

This is a grave travesty, for the words of the Old Testament are just as Elohim-breathed as the words of the New Testament. The New Testament is in actuality built upon the foundation of what was laid down in the Old Testament. Many verses in the New Testament tell us we absolutely ARE TO KEEP all of Elohim’s commandments and that they are just as valid now as they have been throughout all time. Many verses in the New Testament instruct us that if we want to belong to Yahusha, it is imperative that we keep His commandments.

Matthew 19:17 And He said to him, “Why askest thou Me? There is none good but One, that is, Elohim: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

John 14:15 If you love Me, you shall keep my commandments

1 John 2:3  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Paul warns us about the spirit of lawlessness and giving heed to deceiving false teachers and false prophets.

1 Timothy 4:1  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

The Greek word for “man of sin” is anomia (Strong’s #458) and means: lawlessness, iniquity, disobedience, sin. (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

The Greek word for “perdition” is apóleia (Strong’s #684) and means: damnation, destruction, perish, waste. From a presumed derivative of apollumi; ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal) — damnable(-nation), destruction, die, perdition, X perish, pernicious ways, waste. (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

Paul informs us that “lawlessness” brings about “destruction”; he connects both words as working hand in hand together. The proponents of “grace is a license to sin” are all about lawlessness which the Bible emphatically condemns, and the teaching that Yahuah’s commandments are done away (quite frankly) is heresy. 

In varying degrees, men have changed the meaning of the “grace of Yahuah” to insinuate that Yahuah overlooks sin, or that Yahuah’s laws have been done away, or even the utterly false doctrine that once someone is forgiven and has become a follower of Yahusha HaMashiach he cannot ever fall from the grace of Yahuah. This teaching is known as the “once saved, always saved” doctrine and is very much a fundamental doctrine in many of the Protestant mainstream religions. This doctrine implies that: once a person has been justified and has come under the atoning blood of Yahusha HaMachiach, it is not possible for him to lose his salvation (basically that one is saved no matter how he lives his life; all he has to do is to profess “Jesus” in a special salvation prayer).  This is just not true; the Bible clearly teaches that a person can fall from grace and lose out on salvation, for if we return to sin we will die, Ezekiel 18:20 “The soul that sinneth, it shall die…

Ezekiel 18:24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Ruach HaKodesh, 5 And have tasted the good word of Elohim, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of Elohim afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of Elohim, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

These false teachings in regard to Yahuah’s grace, is exactly what Jude warned would creep into the very Ekklesia of the called out; subtly changing the “grace of our Elohim” into a license (or permission) to continue in sin and lasciviousness (unbridled sensuality; excess) rather than to exhort believers to avoid sin and to strive to live righteously as taught in the Word of Elohim.  

Most of the religions of the world propagate this gross heresy couched in terms such as this is a “a new understanding of Elohim’s law” or that, all you need is “love”; usually their definition of love as being an emotional, sentimental, feel-good kind of love with no real substance. Further, they teach that those who profess Yahusha as Messiah and are baptized enter a state of grace where the law is no longer binding because supposedly “the New Covenant does away with the Old Covenant”. One with a sound mind can clearly see that none of this makes any sense. 

What is Exactly is “Grace”?

What does the grace of Elohim have to do with being called of Yahuah the Father and living according to His purpose for us? And is it really a license to keep sinning once we have received Elohim’s grace? 

It is vitally important that we understand the meaning of “grace” as it is used in the Epistle of Jude (and throughout the whole Bible). If we misinterpret what the Bible describes as “grace”, thinking that once we come under Yahuah’s grace, we can never “fall from grace” and that we can live as we want to. If we have that belief we are deadly mistaken and we will lose out on what Yahuah has planned for His  called-out children.

A good understanding of the term “grace” and what it really means according to Yahuah’s definition is fundamental to our salvation.

Definition of “Grace”

The word “grace” can mean many things, and to understand what it means in a particular sentence, we have to determine the meaning by the context. The exact scriptural definition of “grace” is determined by the context of its use.

We will start with Strong’s definition of what the word “grace” means. The Greek word for “grace” as translated in Jude 4 is from charis (Strong’s #5485). Its definition is: grace, favor. From chairo; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude) — acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy). see GREEK chairo. (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 5485 xáris (another feminine noun from xar-, “favor, disposed to, inclined, favorable towards, leaning towards to share benefit”) – properly, grace. 5485 (xáris) is preeminently used of the Yahuah’s favor – freely extended to give Himself away to people (because He is “always leaning toward them”).

5485 /xáris (“grace”) answers directly to the Hebrew (OT) term 2580/Kaná (“grace, extension-toward”). Both refer to Yahuah freely extending Himself (His favor, grace), reaching (inclining) to people because He is disposed to bless (be near) them.

[5485 (xáris) is sometimes rendered “thanks” but the core-idea is “favor, grace” (“extension towards”).] (Helps Word-studies)

Most of us who know our Bibles can see that there is something lacking in these Greek definitions, for we know from reading the Apostles’ teachings, that the grace of Yahuah is much more than what charis is as defined in Strong’s.

Here is the English definition of “grace” from Freedictionary.com

Here are various definitions of the word “grace”:

1. Seemingly effortless beauty or charm of movement, form, or proportion .

2. A characteristic or quality pleasing for its charm or refinement.

3. A sense of fitness or propriety.

4. A disposition to be generous or helpful; goodwill.

5. Mercy; clemency.

6. A favor rendered by one who need not do so; indulgence.

7. A temporary immunity or exemption; a reprieve.

8. Christianity:

  a. Divine favor bestowed freely on people as in granting redemption   from sin.

  b. The state of having received such favor.

  c. An excellence or power granted by Yahuah.

9. A short prayer of blessing or thanksgiving said before or after a meal.

From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Online:

“The Word “Charis”: In the English New Testament the word “grace” is always a translation of “charis”, a word that occurs in the Greek text, something over 170 times (the reading is uncertain in places). In secular Greek of all periods it is also a very common word, and in both Biblical and secular Greek it is used with far more meanings than can be represented by any one term in English. Primarily (a) the word seems to denote pleasant external appearance, “gracefulness” “loveliness”; compare the personificaion in the Graces.” Such a use is found in Luke 4:22, where `wondered at the charm of his words’ is a good translation; and similarly in Colossians 4:6. (b) Objectively, charis may denote the impression produced by “gracefulness,” as in 3 John 1:4 `greater gratification have I none than this’ (but many manuscripts read chara, “joy,” here). (c) As a mental attribute charis may be translated by “graciousness,” or, when directed toward a particular person or persons, by “favor.” So in Luke 2:52, “Yahusha advanced …. in favor with Yahuah and men.” (d) As the complement to this, charis denotes the emotion awakened in the recipient of such favor, i.e. “gratitude.” So Luke 17:9 reads literally, `Has he gratitude to that servant?’ In a slightly transferred sense charis designates the words or emotion in which gratitude is expressed, and so becomes “thanks” (some 10 t, Romans 6:17, etc.)’. (e) Concretely, charis may mean the act by which graciousness is expressed, as in 1 Corinthians 16:3, where the King James Version translates by “liberality,” and the Revised Version (British and American) by “bounty.” These various meanings naturally tend to blend into each other, and in certain cases it is difficult to fix the precise meaning that the writer meant the word to convey, a confusion that is common to both New Testament and secular Greek. And in secular Greek the word has a still larger variety of meanings that scarcely concern theologian”. (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Online)

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary gives the origin and etymology of the word “grace” and we find that this word is actually derived from the Latin word “gratia” which means favor, charm, thanks, pleasing, grateful.

Origin and Etymology of grace: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin gratia: favor, charm, thanks, from gratus – pleasing, grateful; akin to Sanskritgṛṇāti he praises”. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

Notice that this is similar to the definition in Strong’s Concordance of the Greek word “charis“.

To “say grace” before a meal generally means to say a short prayer of giving thanks for the food that we are about to partake and to ask Yahuah to bless it. While the main focus is on the food that Yahuah provides, the person praying (saying grace) may also give thanks and praise for additional other blessings from Yahuah as well in their prayer. 

I bring this out for this kind of prayer (saying “grace” at dinner time) is indicative of the main definition of what the word grace is about as derived from the Latin word gratia.

Even though the translators translated the word charis to mean “grace”; when we see the word “grace” we must look at the context and how it was used to reflect the intent of the writers.

As we can see from these definitions there is so much contained in this one word “charis” and grace can mean so many things, so we must always look at the context in which it is being used. The word grace occurs almost 170 times in the New Testament and in each case we have to look at the context for which it is used to determine what the author means by “grace”.

The first occurrence of the Greek word charis in the New Testament is in Luke 1:30: “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with Yahuah.”

The same word that is translated as “grace” in Jude 1:4, (charis #5485) is translated as “favor” here in Luke 1:30.

As we saw earlier, English dictionaries state that the English word “grace” is directly derived from the Latin term gratia, which means “pleasing, thanks, or praise”.

But in the verses we quoted, the Greek word for “grace” clearly does not always mean these things. So sometimes the word charis can mean these things, but other times it clearly means much more than merely “pleasing, thanks, or praise”; or “acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank” as defined by Strong’s Concordance. For example, are any of these things included in the meaning of the grace of Yahuah that Jude mentions in Jude 1:4? From the context we sense that Jude is referring to a much deeper spiritual meaning than what charis means in the Greek.

Apparently, it seemed fitting to the King James translators to make use of the Latin term “gratia” from which we get the English word “grace” to interpret the meaning of charis (translated as grace) in Scripture for the meanings are somewhat similar. 

This gets complicated for there was not an exact word in English for the deeper spiritual meaning of grace (charis), therefore the translators apparently settled for a derivative from “gratia” to mean at least partiality what grace (charis) is all about. 

The King James translators must have felt that this term was the best equivalent to the English word for “grace” so they attached the meaning of gratia to the meaning of charis which is not quite right, it does not give the complete meaning as used in the Bible when speaking about the grace of Yahuah.

We see that the word charis can mean many different things but to fully understand what the meaning of the word “grace” as intended by the writer in a particular verse or passage, we must first look at the context and then discern the intention of what the writer meant when he used the word “grace”. In many cases, the writers intended a much more spiritual significance to the word “grace” than the meaning that is derived from the Latin word “gracia“.

When we talk about the grace of Yahuah we must be aware that there is so much more to what “charis” can mean than as defined in most Bible concordances (including Strong’s) and dictionaries, and that there can be a far more spiritual significance to this one word as portrayed in the Scriptures and as taught by the Apostles. In other words, the spiritual meaning of grace is somewhat lacking in the Greek language, for the Apostles interpreted this word to mean much more than just thanks, praise, pleasure, acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank, and so forth.

It is important to understand the difference between the secular usage of the Greek term charis and the meaning that evolved in its spiritual usage because the Apostles gave the term spiritual significance far beyond how most people today think of “grace”.

In other words, the meaning of charis has taken on a much deeper spiritual significance as used in the Holy Scriptures than it did when used in the secular Greek language and that is why there can be so much confusion when trying to define what grace means in its spiritual ramifications.

As we see, there is so much more to what this word GRACE entails according to the meaning that was intended by the writers of Scripture, and especially by the apostle Paul, who used this word more than any other writer in the New Testament.

The Deeper Spiritual Meaning of Grace

From the English definition of grace derived from secular Greek, besides the things that we mentioned earlier, it can also mean elegance, effortless charm and beauty, of being gifted, and by extension having a pleasing effect on others because of these qualities.

Again, from the Freedictionary.com:   

“Seemingly effortless beauty or  charm of movement, form,  or proportion.  A characteristic  or quality pleasing for its  charm or refinement. It indicates sense of fitness or propriety.  A disposition to be generous or  helpful; goodwill.”

And then there is this from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia:

“The first, and perhaps the original sense is the quality of anything that brings delight or pleasure, or that wins favor. A good wine and fine choice of words are examples of charis. Persons have charis when they are delicate, tactful, or artful. . . . Kindness, generosity and helpfulness are also graces. One shows charis by displaying benevolence to inferiors. . . . In later Greek charis also had the sense of force or power.” (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)

The word “charismatic” comes from the word “chais” and we often think of “charismatic” people as gifted and powerful because they are able to persuade and influence others due to their appeal and attractiveness. 

Advertisers knowingly use actors and actresses with charisma in their ads because they know that potential customers are attracted to beauty and charm; these actors exude confidence and appeal and this in turn helps to convince potential customers to buy the products that they are pushing. 

But these character traits can also be applied in a positive spiritual sense, such things as a quality that wins favor; with kindness, generosity, helpfulness. All these qualities that can be attributed to Yahuah.

The definition of charis as “a quality of benevolence that gives favor to inferiors” could have possibly been meant by the Apostles when they used charis to indicate the benevolence of Yahuah toward sinners. Thus the writers of Scripture took this multifaceted Greek term and meant it to mean a much deeper spiritual significance by using it in contexts where it clearly indicates unearned favor and gifts bestowed upon believers by their great benevolent Creator Yahuah.

From Wikipedia: “In Western Christian theology, grace has been defined, not as a created substance of any kind, but as “the love and mercy given to us by Yahuah because Yahuah desires us to have it, not necessarily because of anything we have done to earn it”, “the condescension or benevolence shown by Yahuah toward the human race”.[2] It is understood by Christians to be a spontaneous gift from Yahuah to people “generous, free and totally unexpected and undeserved” – that takes the form of divine favor, love, clemency, and a share in the divine life of Yahuah.” (Wikipedia)

As we saw earlier, “grace” is also defined in biblical terms as: “the unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification.” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) These are the meanings that are most often inferred when the writers speak of Yahuah’s grace both in the Old and the New Testaments. Grace is an unmerited gift given by Yahuah to His children and cannot ever be earned. But it also does not give us the permission to keep sinning after being granted Yahuah’s gift of grace and mercy. Paul emphatically stresses this in his letter to the Romans:

Romans 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? Certainly not (Yahuah forbid). 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But Yahuah be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Following is what Paul had to say about the grace of Yahuah that saves us, furthermore, he also states that it is a GIFT!

Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But Yahuah, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with HaMashiach, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Yahusha HaMashiach: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Yahusha HaMashiach. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of Yahuah: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Yahusha HaMashiach unto good works, which Elohim hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Because of the grace of Yahuah, we are to come out of our past sins and walk in faith doing those things that Yahuah wills for us as part of our sanctification in becoming in the image of Yahusha HaMashiach, for like Paul says, “we are His workmanship”.

As mentioned in earlier in this article, the proper understanding of the true grace of Yahuah is vitally important for it will determine the path we take on our way to the Kingdom of Yahuah and whether we will even be in Yahuah’s Kingdom. If we believe that grace is a license to keep sinning and do nothing to stay in Yahuah’s grace, we will forfeit our very calling and will not be chosen to be in the First Resurrection.

Yahuah’s grace is bestowed upon those who are called; and who then sincerely repent of their sins and commit to “go and sin no more” (see John 8:11).

This kind of grace that is of Yahuah is not earned, but is freely given to those whom Yahuah chooses to call at this time by offering them salvation by means of His divine kindness. That kindness includes the fact that He was willing to die for mankind so that they could be saved. Yahuah is not obligated, compelled, forced, or duty-bound to give this privilege to anyone because of their goodness or by their qualifying for it, for there is no one that is good; we are all sinners and the only thing we truly qualify for is the death penalty because of our many sins.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of Yahuah; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Yahusha HaMashiach: 25 Whom Elohim hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of Yahuah; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Yahusha.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of Elohim is eternal life through Yahusha HaMashiach our Master.

From the time we are first called, until the end of our lives (if we have remained faithful), our salvation is by means of Yahuah’s precious gift of grace. Everything we receive is given to us to help us to fulfill Yahuah’s purpose for us. Yahuah gives grace because He loves us and wants us to be in His Kingdom and He is all about grace.

It is because we are undeserving of all of His marvelous gifts, and yet He freely gives them to us, that we can never become puffed up in pride thinking that we are entitled to anything that Yahuah has to offer. This serves to keep His children humble and appreciative of all that Yahuah does and is going to do for us.

The writers of Scripture took the secular meaning of grace and ran with it in applying some of its meaning to profound spiritual applications. Our understanding of grace means something much more spiritually significant and deeper than just “favor” or “praise” or “thankfulness” etc. 

From how the word charis is used by the Apostles in describing the grace of Yahuah, we come to see that it is through Yahuah’s grace that we are saved and given eternal life as a member of Yahuah’s own family, and that His giving of it to us, is completely and totally unmerited, (it is not an entitlement in any way or form) it is something that we do not deserve nor can we give anything in return for it.

It is critical that we get a firm grasp of this truth, for then we will have no reason for pride; this realization will tend to keep us humble for we must see ourselves for what we are; that we are sinners who do not deserve the goodness of Yahuah and that Yahuah does not owe us anything. And yet He generously gives us all things that make it possible to become one of His spiritual sons or daughters in His eternal Family.

If we are chosen to be part of the First Resurrection, we will live throughout eternity knowing all the time that it was because of Yahuah’s GRACE (and really nothing that we did) that we are able to live with Him and all the other saints as members of His spiritual Family. This realization causes us to be profusely grateful and will help us to set in our hearts that we never want to return to the place we were at before we were given Yahuah’s grace. Therefore, rather than grace giving followers of Yahuah the license to keep sinning, in actuality, it motivates us to want to live by every Word of Elohim and to stay forever in His favor and never be separated from Him as we were when we were living in sin.

Isaiah 59:1 Behold, Yahuah’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your Elohim, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

We have all sinned and all of our sins are against Yahuah; and yet He gives His called-out children of His precious grace (pardon, forgiveness) which makes it possible to live for Him. Not only does Yahusha save us by the application of His sacrificial death to pay for our sins, but by His grace He empowers us to live righteously before Him day by day. 

Without Yahuah’s grace none of this would be possible and we would die in our sins to never live again. Without grace, there would be no salvation and mankind would cease to exist.

Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time the Messiah died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But Yahuah commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, HaMashiach died for us.

Ephesians 2:4 But Yahuah, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with HaMashiach, (by grace ye are saved;) 6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Yahusha HaMashiach: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Yahusha HaMashaich.

During the last Passover that Yahusha kept with His disciples, He described how they would soon be given help to fulfill their mission and to keep Yahuah’s commandments.

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ruach (Spirit), whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

In these verses is Yahuah’ promise that He would give the disciples the power through means of the Ruach HaKodesh by gifting them, enabling them to fulfill the great commission. The Ruach HaKodesh would also empower them to meet their responsibilities in submitting themselves to Yahuah’s will for them in fashioning them into the image of Yahusha HaMashiach and internalizing the very divine nature of Elohim. 

It is by the grace (mercy) of Yahuah that we are given the gift of the Ruach HaKodesh which empowers us to do His works. One of those works is to go to all the nations (people of the world) and tell them the Good News of the Gospel of Yahusha and of His coming Kingdom and then teach those who will heed, all the commandments of Elohim.

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Ruach HaKodesh: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amein.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of Elohim:

What an incredible blessing to know the wonderful love that Yahuah has for His children and to be able to give Him praise for all of His gifts of grace. HalleluYah!

Old Testament Grace Expressed by Yahuah’s Steadfast Lovingkindness

The New Testament is not the only place in which grace is taught. It is evident that the apostles expanded upon the Old Testament concept of “grace” which is found in the Hebrew word chesed.

The Greek word charis (the word for grace) is a Greek word, therefore it is never used in the Old Testament which was written in the Hebrew language. But when the Apostles spoke of grace, they adapted the Greek word for grace to define what was already a major Old Testament concept.

The Hebrew word that is translated in the English to speak of Yahuah’s mercy, kindness, lovingkindness, goodness and His steadfast love, is “chesed“. This word is not exactly the same definition as charis but it is a word that expresses Yahuah’s love and faithfulness toward His people. Chesed is used to describe Yahuah’s patient steadfastness and absolute faithfulness to the children of Israel which was freely given (a type of grace) and was a token of Yahuah’s commitment to His Covenant.

When Moses requested of Yahuah to see Him in His glory, Yahuah came down and passed before Moses, and at the same time He declared His name along with the attributes contained in His name that describe Him, indicating the kind of Elohim that He is.

Exodus 34:5 And Yahuah descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of Yahuah. 6 And Yahuah passed by before him, and proclaimed, Yahuah, Yahuah Elohim, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

The Hebrew word for “loving-commitment” in this verse is chesed which is translated as “kindness; by implication (towards Yahuah) piety: rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty” ( KJV Lexicon)

NASB Translation defines chesed as: deeds of devotion (2), devotion (1), devout (1), faithfulness (1), favor (2), good (1), kindly (7), kindness (32), kindnesses (1), loveliness (1), lovingkindness (176), lovingkindnesses (7), loyal deeds (1), loyalty (6), mercies (1), merciful (2), mercy (1), righteousness (1), unchanging love (2). (NASB Translation)

According to Strong’s, the Hebrew word chesed is defined as “mercy,” “kindness,” “lovingkindness,” “goodness,” and even “pity,” but in some of the modern translations it may appear as “steadfast love” i.e. “constant love”.

It can also be rendered as patient steadfastness (constancy); the kind of love that expresses Yahuah’s faithfulness toward His people. Regardless of how it is translated in the English language, chesed is an expression of Yahuah’s commitment to His faithful covenant love and kindness which cannot be bought or earned; like grace, it is freely given (because Yahuah WANTS to give it). This meaning is what associates the Hebrew word chesed with the Greek word chalis.

The English rendering of chesed is often “mercy” but it more adequately means “steadfast love” therefore chesed suggests most often Yahuah’s freely given commitment to love His people. It is what Yahuah is all about and this character trait is evident within the Covenant He freely made with Israel.

In Genesis, Yahuah made promises to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants; not because of any inherent goodness or greatness on their part, but because He chose them to be His people and because He loved them. They did not earn Yahuah’s love or His choice of them to be His people, in fact, Yahuah said they (the children of Israel) were the least of all peoples.

In the following verses Moses is describing Yahuah’s steadfast love for Israel. Chesed, as used in verse 9 and translated as “mercy” indicating strong, steadfast (constant) love that never fails and is part of Yahuah’s covenant with Israel.

Deuteronomy 7:7 Yahuah did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: 8 But because Yahuah loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath Yahuah brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that Yahuah thy Elohim, he is Elohim, the faithful Elohim, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

Genesis 28:15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

Numbers 14:18 Yahuah is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.

Paul conveyed this concept of the STEADFASTNESS of Yahuah in his letter to Timothy; that Yahuah remains faithful to Himself and who He is…. regardless of what we do or what we believe.

2 Timothy 2:11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. [He is steadfast and faithful to being who He is].

Yahuah’s loving-kindness extends to the children of Abraham through faith (the believers) who are now the (spiritual) Israel of Elohim.

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Yahusha HaMashiach. 29 And if ye be the Messiah’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Yahuah freely entered into a covenant relationship with the children of Israel.  The kind of love He showed toward them was expressed as chesed; steadfast loving-kindness and patient forbearance. This brings to mind the kind of grace and unmerited favor that is translated from the Greek word charis.

Therefore, the Apostles could see that both chesed and charis express Yahuah’s character and faithfulness in the covenant relationship; first with the children of Israel in the Old Covenant, and now toward the called-out children of Elohim who are part of the New Covenant. 

In this way, the Apostles combined the meaning of charis, (with its aspects of grace, unmerited favor, power and benevolence), with the characteristics of chesed ( loving-kindness, patient, forbearing faithfulness of Elohim”; therefore the meaning of “grace” (which originated from a secular word gracia) took on the deep spiritual ramifications that we find in the Apostles’ teachings in regard to the grace of Elohim. Within His Covenant, Yahuah abounds in chesed (see Psalm 86:15, Exodus 34:5-10) and Psalm 23 tells us that “goodness and steadfast love (Strong’s #2617a – chesed)” will follow His faithful children all the days of their lives (Psalm 23:6).

No matter how faithless the children of Israel became, Yahuah remained faithful and stayed true to His covenant love of mercy, kindness, goodness, steadfast love. This does not mean that He overlooked their sins or winked at their faithlessness; we all know the story of Israel and how they failed to live up to their covenant with Yahuah. But whenever they did repent, Yahuah showed them mercy; and even for those who remained unfaithful there is still hope, for if they repent at a future time and return to Him in the Great White Throne Judgement (at the Second Resurrection), they can still be in Yahuah’s overall plan, which is also very much a token of Yahuah’s great mercy and grace. (See Romans 10:1 and Romans 11).

Yahuah is LOVE, and a component of that love is mercy. Everything that Yahuah does and all that He has done for mankind is because of His mercy and lovingkindness. Even when He has to correct sinful men and women, it is an act of mercy and kindness for it is giving them a chance to repent and a chance to turn from their wickedness and live, rather then die the eternal death.

Yahuah will not allow the people that stubbornly refuse to repent to live forever, for they will only make it miserable for themselves and for others. The Lake of Fire may seem to be a very harsh judgment to some, but not allowing the incorrigible wicked (those who ultimately choose to continue in the way of Satan rather than to repent and embrace the ways of Yahuah) to live in eternity with His Family is an act of mercy as well.

When we study Yahuah’s Word with spiritual eyes and with the overall big picture in mind, we can see that everything that Yahuah has planned and has done from the very beginning up until now (and what He plans for the future) is all because of His bountiful GRACE and His STEADFAST LOVE for us.

The Book of Lamentations, which prophesies of Yahuah’s punishments because of His people’s unfaithfulness; also contains a wonderful promise which brings to mind the merciful loving-kindness and faithfulness of Yahuah:

Lamentations 3:22  It is of Yahuah’s mercies  [chased- lovingkindness]  that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.24 Yahuah is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Yahuah, like the prodigal son’s father, is always waiting with open arms to take back His people if they would only sincerely repent and live by His every Word. This includes the Ekklesia who have gone astray in our day.

Psalm 78:34  When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after Yahuah.

Psalm 78:36 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. 37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant. 38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. 39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again. (See all of Psalm 78)

Because of Yahuah’s tremendous grace, mercy, and steadfast love we can have great hope. He will save us if we repent and turn to Him no matter how far we have strayed; it is because Yahuah Father and His Son are full of grace and truth and they are faithful to their promises and to their Covenant that we can be forgiven and go on to become Their spiritual children. 

Hebrews 13:8 reminds us, “Yahusha HaMashiach is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”

The “grace” of Yahuah is like a stream or a fountain. His grace is continuously flowing and He generously pours it upon those He loves. Yahuah’s love and His grace are consistent; Yahuah does not change!

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

The grace of Yahuah is a gift, it is a GOOD and PERFECT gift that Yahuah gives to those who repent and turn to Him with all of their hearts.

From the Old Testament we learn about chesed and that it is a reflection of Yahuah’s steadfast covenant love. The Apostles knew the meaning of this Hebrew word and combined it with their use of charis, which defines “grace”; this in turn helped them to more perfectly and adequately describe the kind of grace that Yahuah pours out on the people whom He calls and who have made a covenant with Him at baptism.

Chesed serves as an Old Testament word which gives specific meaning to the faithful character of Yahuah within the Old Covenant. The Apostles made further use of this old Hebrew word in the meaning of charis thus depicting more fully the kind of “grace” that Yahuah extends to His people.

To be clear: The Greek word charis is not derived from the Hebrew word chesed; rather these two words complement each other and in this way chesed adds deep spiritual meaning to an otherwise secular meaning of what grace meant to the Greeks. By adding the two together, the Apostles could then use charis in their writings to illustrate the steadfast love of Yahuah in the giving of His Son to die for repentant sinners that they might have eternal life. The grace of Yahuah is poured out upon us with the many other gifts that are bestowed on us from a BENEVOLENT Elohim who loves us and who desires that we be a part of His eternal Kingdom (Luke 12:32). 

Yahuah’s character is magnificently expressed to us by His grace and by His faithful steadfast love for His children, all of which comes to us freely and not by any kind of obligation on Yahuah’s part. The kind of gracious generosity with which Yahuah responded to the Israelites of the Old Covenant is an example of the grace that is lavished upon His spiritual people in the New Covenant bringing salvation to all who are in Yahusha.

In Summary:

Grace is a gift freely given to those to whom the Father calls. If we respond to His call and sincerely repent of our sins and seek to please Him in all things, He will continue to pour out His grace to enable us to live for Him and make it into His eternal kingdom.  There is no contradiction in Yahuah’s Word between the grace of Yahuah being free and the concept of obeying Him in all things in order to stay in His grace. 

We do not earn Yahuah’s grace in the sense that He owes us anything or that He is obligated to do anything for us.  But when we do receive the grace of Yahuah we are still obligated to strive to keep all of His commandants, statutes, ordinances and judgments. Yahusha tells us that we are to live by every Word of Elohim. There is no hint in all of Scripture that we can keep on sinning just because we have been freely forgiven. 

Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of Elohim.

Yahuah’s grace and all of His gifts, including His Ruach HaKodesh and the gifts of His Spirit, are freely given to those who are seeking Yahuah and keeping His commandments.

Please be warned: the grace of Yahuah in no way means a type of sentimental, emotional love that overlooks sin. Grace does not mean that we tolerate evil because we do not want to hurt people’s feelings by telling them that they are sinning.

If this is being taught in the Assembly we fellowship with, we need to hear the alarm bells going off and quickly remove ourselves so as to avoid being influenced by this kind of teaching for it does not reflect the true grace of Elohim. This false type of grace will prevent us from entering the kingdom of Elohim. Just as Jude says, we must always, always contend for the faith (truth of sound doctrine) which was once delivered unto the saints and believe Yahuah’s Word over anyone else.

Because of the grace of Yahuah being poured out abundantly on those He is working with in this present age, Yahuah will have kings and priests in His kingdom who will be filled with grace.  They will abundantly exude love and goodness just like their heavenly Father and their Husband Yahusha HaMashiach.

Revelation 22:21 The grace of our Master Yahusha HaMashiach be with you all. Amen.

Final Note: Yahuah reminds us in His Word that redemption is always possible, no matter how far we think we have wandered. Every new day is proof of His grace, an invitation to rebuild with love, patience, and faith.

BelleAnge