what grace looks like (in concordance and Lexicon)

5485. Charis: grace, kindness

Usage: (a) grace, as a gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ, (b) favor, (c) gratitude, thanks, (d) a favor, kindness.

NASB Translation
blessing (1), concession (1), credit (3), favor (11), gift (1), grace (122), gracious (2), gracious work (3), gratitude (1), thank (3), thankfulness (2), thanks (6).

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5485: χάρις

1. properly, that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech (Ecclesiastes 10:12); Ephesians 4:29 with grace, Colossians 4:6.

2. good-will, loving-kindness, favor: in a broad sense (Luke 2:52); to have favor with one, Acts 2:47; is used of the kindness of a master toward his inferiors or servants, and so especially of God toward men: Luke 1:30; , Acts 7:46; , this wins for us (God’s) favor (is acceptable), 1 Peter 2:19;, 1 Peter 2:20; , to be committed or commended to the protecting and helping favor of God, Acts 14:26; Acts 15:40. The apostles and N. T. writers at the beginning and end of their Epistles crave for their readers the favor (`grace’) of God or of Christ, to which all blessings, especially spiritual, are due: Romans 1:7; Romans 16:20, 24 

 Moreover, the word χάρις contains the idea of kindness which bestows upon one what he has not deserved: Romans 11:6; the N. T. writers use χάρις pre-eminently of that kindness by which God bestow: favors even upon the ill-deserving, and grants to sinners the pardon of their offences, and bids them accept of eternal salvation through Christ: Romans 3:24; Romans 5:17, 20f; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Galatians 1:15; Galatians 2:21; Ephesians 1:6; Philippians 1:7; Colossians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; 1 Timothy 1:14; 2 Timothy 1:9; Hebrews 2:9 ; Hebrews 10:29; Hebrews 12:15; Hebrews 13:9; 1 Peter 1:10; Jude 1:4;  Hebrews 4:16;  Titus 2:11;  the message of his grace, Acts 14:3; Acts 20:32;  Acts 20:24; it is styled ‘the grace of Christ,’ in that through pity for sinful men Christ left his state of blessedness with God in heaven, and voluntarily underwent the hardships and miseries of human life, and by his sufferings and death procured salvation for mankind: (Acts 15:11); 2 Corinthians 8:9; Romans 5:15; Galatians 1:6; (Titus 3:7); John 1:14, 17. χάρις is used of “the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues”: 2 Corinthians 4:15; 2 Corinthians 6:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:12;  Acts 18:27;  to be subject to the power of grace Galatians 5:4;  Acts 13:43, prompted by grace, Colossians 3:16; the grace of God promoting the progress and blessings of the Christian religion, Acts 11:23; prompting its possessors to benefactions, 2 Corinthians 9:14); sustaining and aiding the efforts of the men who labor for the cause of Christ, 1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 1:12; the favor of Christ, assisting and strengthening his followers and ministers to bear their troubles, 2 Corinthians 12:9.

3. what is due to grace;

a. the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace,  Romans 5:2; , 1 Peter 5:12;  2 Peter 3:18;  2 Timothy 2:1.

b. a token or proof of grace, 2 Corinthians 1:15 ; a gift of grace; benefaction, bounty: used of alms, 1 Corinthians 16:3; 2 Corinthians 8:6f, 19 ; all earthly blessings, wealth, etc., which are due to divine goodness, 2 Corinthians 9:8;  the author and giver of benefits of every kind, 1 Peter 5:10. the aid or succor of divine grace 1 Peter 5:5; James 4:6; the salvation offered to Christians is called χάρις, a gift of divine grace, 1 Peter 1:10, 13; of the various blessings of Christ experienced by souls, John 1:16;  the gift of grace seen in the reception of life 1 Peter 3:7; capacity and ability due to the grace of God Ephesians 4:7. Acts 6:8 , the aggregate of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians, 1 Peter 4:10; used of the power to undertake and administer the apostolic office: Romans 1:5  (i. e., Paul), Romans 12:3, 6; Romans 15:15; 1 Corinthians 3:10; Galatians 2:9; Ephesians 3:2, 7;  of the gifts of knowledge and utterance conferred upon Christians, 1 Corinthians 1:4; followed by an infinitive, Ephesians 3:8; of the desire to give alms roused by the grace of God, 2 Corinthians 8:1.

4. thanks (for benefits, services, favors); properly, with thanksgiving, 1 Corinthians 10:30

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. 5:17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 

random thoughts on 2023’s sanctity and preparedness demand

You must go on growing in me and I will grow in you. This is a point in time when a believer asks the Lord what next. It is a norm to ask for the meaning of life at the year end and the beginning of a new year, a practice both spiritual and soulish. Yes, both realms affect the physical/bodily existence too.

The word that came to me lately is “preparedness”. When I wrote the title of this blog another word came, “sanctity”.

The dictionary’s definition for preparedness: a state of readiness.

The dictionary’s definitions for “sanctity”: the state or quality of being holy, sacred, or saintly; ultimate importance and inviolability: the sanctity of human life.

Having been assured of God’s goodness and faithfulness which He will continue to demonstrate through more grace for the new year, I found some New Testament verses on the two words.

The following verses on “preparedness” is all about God and initiated by God Himself. Just as Jesus said to His disciples, “without Me, you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) And the purpose is for good works and fruitfulness. It can only mean a year of bounties for believers (disciples) of Christ Jesus, in union with Him.

Romans 9:23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory,

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

2 Corinthians 5:5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

2 Timothy 2:21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

The following five verses on “sanctification” shows us what God wants of us and what He has done for us. This is an essential characteristic due to our position in Christ, in union with Christ, having and manifesting the life of God Himself in us.

1 Corinthians 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—

1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;

1 Thessalonians 4:4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,

2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,

1 Peter 1:2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

Application: in the context of what Jesus said to the disciples in John 15:5, that without Him we can do nothing, I read John 15:4 and meditate on the word “abide”, which means “dwell”, “live”, “remain”, and I have found the following Philips version describes a vivid picture of how our lives in Christ is like, both in terms of “preparedness” and “sanctity”.

PHILLIPS John 15:1-8 Jesus teaches union with Him

“I am the real vine, my Father is the vine-dresser. He removes any of my branches which are not bearing fruit and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit to increase its yield. Now, you have already been pruned by my words. You must go on growing in me and I will grow in you. For just as the branch cannot bear any fruit unless it shares the life of the vine, so you can produce nothing unless you go on growing in me. I am the vine itself, you are the branches. It is the man who shares my life and whose life I share who proves fruitful. For the plain fact is that apart from me you can do nothing at all. The man who does not share my life is like a branch that is broken off and withers away. He becomes just like the dry sticks that men pick up and use for the firewood. But if you live your life in me, and my words live in your hearts, you can ask for whatever you like and it will come true for you. This is how my Father will be glorified—in your becoming fruitful and being my disciples.

Let His words abide in us, and let us abide in His love. (John 15:7, 9)

James 4:6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

Prayer: Yes, Lord, help us go on growing in You and You grow in us.

καί notes 2023-01-27

2023: a year of more grace

Looking through my old blogs posted 13 years ago (while being new in living by the spirit), I note relevant reminder for myself:

“Like in the rebuilding project in Nehemiah, the watchman’s job is never completed until the walls are completed. But he dares not presume anything, knowing the serious consequences of human presumption”. “He used to think that it would get easier as he continues his quest. He is wrong. When he first sought God in the Holy Spirit, he saw visions easily and had the related interpretations almost immediately. As the year went by he lost momentum and could not settle down to seek God’s presence quietly. He did no even enquire of God and he saw less and less visions.”(2010-01-20)

Back to 2023: reading what I wrote in 2010 makes me blush and yet thankful that it is the compassionate God who has held fast to me so I would not give up despite my ignorance.

My gratitude to good Bible teachings which have helped shaped who I am today. Over the last ten years I have progressed from being merely fascinated with visions and dreams, to increasingly knowing the importance of building a stable and restful relationship with God, anchored in His truth (words), the reality of His love, and His ever presence, believing that my spirit is joined to His Spirit who dwells in me, secured through my union with Him (position in Christ Jesus).

Those who have read some of my 2022 blogs would have noted that I have moved to a proactive position of believing and applying Biblical truth on divine healing and divine health. The main reason is that I have seen too many brethren in sickness and pain. How should we treat our suffering neighbors? Our Lord Jesus has an answer in Luke 10:25-37 The Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Can I remain a mere bystander? This is the question each of us must ask today. There is a prerequisite. We must first be compelled by the love of God. We love because He first loved us. (2 Corinthians 5:14; 1 John 4:10)

Yes, I believe God wants His children to show more of His compassion. 2023 is a year of More Grace. More of God. More of Jesus. More of the Holy Spirit. More of the Life of God in everyone who believes. More of His love. More of His light.

2023 Bible passage to practice: Luke 10:36-37

³⁶ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”

³⁷ And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

2023 Bible blessing verse: Luke 10:23 ²³ Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see”.

Be blessed, my friends.

Kainotes, 2023-01-08

2022 (a different drum beat pt 2)

God loves to give. He hears you talking about Him. He takes note of those who put their attention on Him and distinguishes them from others.

“Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and meditate on His name. “They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels.”(Malachi 3:16)

The watchman’s list of random words and verses received chronologically in the year 2022 continues.

God loves to give: Ask, seek, knock. How much more will your Father who is in heaven will give good things to those who ask Him. (Matt.7:7-11, Mark 11:22-24, Luke 11:9-13) Romans 8:32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Paul’s prison experience demonstrates his close relationship with God Who has enabled his dominion over his adverse circumstances. Paul listens to the Holy Spirit and sets positive goals. (Read Philippians)

1. He knew and predicted he would be set free. Indeed he was.
2. He set only one goal: experience the mighty power Christ has been through (the resurrection power).
3. He knew he was in union with Christ and nothing could separate them.

The psalmist of Psalm 91 did just that: Making God his dwelling. Thus, no evil can come upon him, nor any plague can come near. Jesus says, abide in Me, and let My word abide in you, and you will ask what you desire and it shall done for you. (John 15:7) It means living in the Almighty, through His word as building blocks on the cornerstone of His love.

Proverbs 18:24 I have a true and faithful “Friend”, “there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother”. Jesus says the Holy Spirit will dwell with me and will be in me, and abide with me forever. (John 14:16-17) He will guide me into all truth, and tell me things to come. (John 16:13) He is indeed!

Proverbs 21:31 “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is of the Lord.” We need to be prepared. The second part of this verse assures us that the Lord will always ensure victory. He will always lead me in triumph in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:14)

A study on “Grace”. Grace is my password to access all that Jesus has accomplished, to manifest all good gifts in my physical life, my body, mental and emotional health and wellbeing in all matters. Something happens in my whole being when I fix my eyes on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:2)

Grace is what God is to me. God is my Healer, Provider, Defender, Protector, Comforter, Guide and Guard…my all in all. (psalm 23)

A life worth living is a life lived under the grace of God. I believe right about God. What I believe affects how I live my life. I believe God’s love for me. He is always my ever ready Help! Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. All His promises in Christ Jesus are yes and amen. God is always good and faithful. (2 Corinthians 1:18-20)

I am created for a purpose. My life has meaning. Christ hold my life together so I need not fear. I am joined to the Lord, one spirit with Him, integrated into His life, His victory my victory, His possessions, mine. (1 Corinthians 6:17, Colossians 1:16-17, Colossians 1:12, Philippians 4:7,13,19)

I hold fast to the truth-all the promises that Jesus has given to me and set me free. (John 8:32) His grace is the truth. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17) I believe and enjoy His grace and love, with His wisdom, stability and peace flowing into me seamlessly, guiding my decisions and actions. For God has made Him my wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30) I have the mind of Christ. (1Corinthians 2:16)

Grace put the divine medicine inside my spirit. It will do the work. I am aware of what I have, all that Jesus has provided through grace. He says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit”. Healing is the fruit too. Jesus is the true Healer. I abide in Christ, aware of Him and stay in fellowship with Him, often through reading and meditating on His words and praying in tongue, downloading wisdom and understanding from Him directly and applying to my life.

The life of God is in my spirit, when released by faith, can cure any disease. I see this possible. For with God, nothing will be impossible. Luke 1:37 All things are possible for him who believes. Mark 9:23.

A study on “Faith”. The body and the blood of Jesus. Read Hebrews chapter 10.

I have been sanctified through the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:10) I have boldness to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus. (19) I can draw near to God with a true heart in full assurance of faith. (22) I hold fast the confession of my hope without wavering for He (God) who promised is faithful! (23)

I am members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. (Ephesians 5:30)

My feelings do not determine my anointing. My situation does not influence my possession of the life of God. My faith is not based on feelings. My faith is based on my belief in God and His words. He sent His words and healed and delivered. (psalm 107:20) Jesus said, “Your faith has made you well.” “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” (Matthew 8:13, 9:22)

On ministry: A final point for 2022 to ponder on: The apostle Paul was rejected by Jerusalem religious leaders. What did he do? He submitted to his original calling to preach the grace Gospels to the Gentiles and fulfilled the great commission of Christ, making disciples of all the nations. The dynamic exponential growth in believers turns out to be in all the nations, just as Jesus has spoken.

Application for every believer: Where is my “all the nations”? How may I reach them? (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:17-18,20)

Note: the year 2022 was somewhat bent to walking in divine healing and divine health due to the many needs around.

What will 2023 bring? What is the word from above? (to continue in my next blog)

Kainotes, 2023-01-07

2022 (a different drum beat)

“Consider not”, “Fear not”…The watchman’s list of random words and verses received chronologically this year.

3/11 Numbers 21:9 When he looked at the…he lived. (John 3:14,15; Hebrews 12:2) “Intense looking unto Jesus, fix our eyes on Jesus, abandoning all else, only He matters!”

What are you considering?” Abraham considered not his body. He did not waver at the promise of God. He was fully convinced that God was able to perform. The same applies to us too–made righteous by faith in God. (Romans 4:18-20) Sarah too. (Hebrews 11:11)

Consider this truth instead of the symptoms: God is good, powerful, faithful to perform His words. Healing is God’s love language!

4/11 Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you.” So I ask, “What is possible?” Answer: Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing will be impossible.” Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

5/11 How do we know God loves us? 1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!

6/29 read and meditated on God’s created “family” in Genesis 1-11. Last night I finished another blog on Adam’s family–Seth’s lineage. How God had to find one man in each generation to carry on the lineage of mankind until Jesus was born.

Genesis 6:3 “Yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” God spoke of normal human lifespan.

7/7 Talked with the Father. he said, not to worry about tomorrow. Reading “the Power of Imagination” (Andrew Wommack) I tried to visualize God. Then I was led by the Spirit to read Romans 8, on the Life giving Spirit, the life of God in us.

8/21 (a week) It is the position of my heart, not about a technique, to have the presence of God (to see, sense, recognize). Righteousness, peace, and joy –reveal the kingdom of God inside me.

Reading Isaiah 34-49. 34:16 search from God’s book and read; 35:5-6 healing; 38:21 healed; 40:1 comforted; 40:31 strength renewed;

Isaiah 41:10

¹⁰ Fear not, for I am with you; (Fear not 41:13,14; 43:1,5; 44:2)

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Isaiah 45:11

¹¹ Thus says the Lord,
The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker:
“Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons;
And concerning the work of My hands, you command Me.

Isaiah 48:11

¹¹ For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it;
For how should My name be profaned?
And I will not give My glory to another.

My conversation with God: reading Isaiah 49:1-4

Isaiah 49:4

⁴ Then I said, ‘I have labored in vain,
I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain;
Yet surely my just reward is with the Lord,
And my work with my God.’ ”

Prayer: Abba Father, please show us how to walk the next step, fearless, let Your perfect love cast out all fears!

8/28 Calm, at ease like normal living. How do I see myself? See how God see me. My value and my work in Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:9 received twice for best friend. ⁹ God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Hebrews 10:23 ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Read healing promises: God wants you healed, Jesus is your Healer, freely receive your healing, see His grace and be healed, rest in His finished work! Hebrews 12:2 Fix your eyes on Jesus! 12:1 let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us!

8/31 Romans 5:17 ¹⁷ For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

God listens –we are listened to, because of Jesus! Hebrews 4:15-16 ¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

We live in the light. The light shows that the terror of darkness and chaos have no objective reality to them. Light is the fundamental reality in which we live. And God is light. We are not cursed. We are blessed. We have the light of life. (John 1:5; 8:12)

“Christian spirituality does not begin with us talking about our experience; it begins with listening to God who calls us, heals us, and forgives us.” God not only is. God speaks. I need to learn and practice listening spiritually.

Jesus says, ⁶³ It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63)

September 1-3 (three days fast and pray): read and meditate Bible verses as led by the Holy Spirit, pray in Tongues. (to continue in next blog)

Kainotes, 2022-12-31