2 Corinthians 8:19

And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will.

Grace has been put forth by some as the most important aspect of Christian life. Whole church administrations have carried the name “Grace Church” for example. For me it was just a word that I did not understand. Many teachers and preachers focused on grace and put forth doctrine that was difficult for me to comprehend. It is only now that I am focusing on grace because what I craved from the beginning was love.

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Grace:

gras:

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

Naturally, the various meanings of the word were simply taken over from ordinary language by the New Testament writers. And so it is quite illegitimate to try to construct on the basis of all the occurrences of the word a single doctrine that will account for all the various usages. That one word could express both “charm of speech” and “thankfulness for blessings” was doubtless felt to be a mere accident, if it was thought of at all.

These sentiments were found in my studies and I must admit they appear to resonate in my mind as thoughts of my own about grace.

2 Corinthians 8:7

But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

Perhaps grace is for the best part an appearance of who we are in Christ that is genuine, not fake or put on. This comment brings to mind what Jesus said about those who liked to put on the robes that identified them as being pious without them actually having to be pious.

Colossians 4:6

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Grace in both word and deed because what good does our words do if our actions belie the truth that is in us. To glorify Christ we must have both. Grace more than anything perhaps needs to be a reflection of Christ not us. That is a complicated concept.

Revelation 13:10

If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.

Meditate on that Word for a moment.

Take your time. Don’t rush.

Psalm 27:5

For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.

Colossians 3:3

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

1 Thessalonians 5:8

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

Consider this if you will. Since He is our Lord and our life is hidden with Him, and He will not let go of us, we should not fear that day of trouble that we may never see. Even if we do, and that is unlikely, we are covered, we are high and lifted up.

Revelation’s call to endurance and faith is to know the truth and not allow that to pull us off course in serving God’s will. We have been shown the truth to spur us on to good works, not to cower at the sound of that old serpent hissing at us.

While we are still in this world we will hear lies but we know the truth. Wisdom will tell us what to do in those moments. Faith endures.