Esther 2:17 English Standard Version (ESV) the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.

Looking at the first use of the word grace in the bible we find this verse. Jesus Christ is King of Kings and we are His betrothed. This verse reminds us of several things about this relationship. He loved us first. Then we won grace. Then we found favor in His sight. Lastly we win the crown.

The order is love, grace, favor, and then title.

Over the years teachers have defined for us that grace is unmerited favor. Finding favor listed separately after grace in this first use scripture gives us pause to ask if the teacher’s definition of grace is sufficient to explain grace.

It does not help the matter to find the Hebrew word for grace is ḥēn and is defined as favor, grace and charm. It is difficult at times to define the differences between words when they are found together in definitions. The word favor in this verse is ḥeseḏ in the Hebrew and is defined as goodness, kindness and faithfulness.

What do we, Christ betrothed, win?

1 Corinthians 9:20-22 English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁰ To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. ²¹ To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. ²² To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

We win souls to Christ just as we too were won by grace.

Isaiah 55:8 English Standard Version (ESV) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

When we wake up in the morning and our thoughts turn to scripture, our understanding of scripture, relevant meanings for our lives, how do we know if those are our thoughts or His thoughts?

The safe thing to do is not assume anything. Open up the bible and validate those thoughts. The wonderful thing about the bible is that all the answers are written in the bible. The bible answers all of our questions, answers all of our doubts and in doing so expands our understanding and helps us believe.

If these are our thoughts, how do they match up with the Word of God? Since God spoke to us through the prophets and now through His Son Jesus Christ, His Word is the only valid way to make sure our thoughts have not drifted off into vanity. Think of vanity as flights of fantasy when it comes to thinking Godly thoughts. His Word is the only safeguard against allowing our thoughts to drift away from sound spiritual theology.

When we go to the internet and listen to different preachers expound about those things which are on his mind, how do we know if he speaks the truth or is speaking his version of flights of fantasy? The only way is to know the Word of God and judge his words against what the bible teaches us.

When a man says “Thus saith the Lord” the next words out of his mouth better be scripture. God has said everything He needs to say about every aspect of our life in Christ. All our spiritual needs are satisfied in the sufficiency of Christ. We need clarity of understanding, not a new message.