We are now in a devotional journey focused around portions of Carl E. Braaten’s book “Justification.”
The Greek word for grace is charis. It did not originate in the Bible. In Greek philosophy and the Greek mystery religions, it meant favor, charm, kindness, beauty, and joy. It was such an attractive word that the New Testament writers, especially Paul, could use it to speak about the marvelous favor of God expressed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Even where the word as such is not to be found, the New Testament portrays the grace of God in Jesus Christ. Passages that speak about the grace-event without using the word itself abound.
We use the language of our lives to bring into our consciousness the reality of the experiences of life. The experience of God’s grace abounds in many shapes and forms and yet, the word we have for the fullness of God’s self-giving love has been placed on this one word – grace. Therefore, it is no shock that we can hear of God’s gracefulness even before the event of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. The experience of God’s people with our loving God is the word in the flesh. Yes, we do turn to Jesus to see the living God and yes, we can see the image of the living God all around us as God’s grace comes to life within the gathering of God’s people. Grace may not be a word that is spoken, but when we see it…the event…the actions…the experience, we are aware of its presence among us.
Connection: Religious language is dead without a connection to life that is real. Be the Word alive among us this day…give people more to experience than just words…give them the flesh and blood of the word.
Renewing Lord, it is by your great love for us that we begin this day filled with the expectation that you will be with us in all things. We may be surprised by how you come to us so we pray that we may have eyes to see and ears to hear you when you are with us. Amen.
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