Some Thoughts On Grace

A Homily Delivered at our Tuesday Service, 21 April, 2026

Earlier this year we passed around an envelope and invited everyone to select a small piece of paper from it. On those pieces of paper were what we called ‘star words’ - a word to meditate on and to perhaps guide you throughout the coming year.  The envelope containing the ‘star words’ is still on the table in the vestibule, so if you haven’t already done so, please pick a word out and spend time thinking about it.

One of you picked out the word ‘grace’ – I won’t mention who it was, but the person was puzzled by the word, and wasn’t sure what it meant or how to use it.  And that set me thinking:

• What do we understand by the word ‘grace’?

• What does it mean?

• How do Christian’s understand it?

There are several meanings given in the dictionary: smoothness and elegance of movement, ‘she moved through the water with effortless grace’.

It can also mean courteous good will, as in, ’he had the good grace to apologize to her afterwards’. But we are most interested in the third meaning of ‘grace’, (in Christian belief) the free and unmerited favour of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowing of blessings.

Those of you familiar with the liturgy in the ‘blue book’ that we use will know that the service opens with the words: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

And in form two of the intercessory prayers the response to ‘Lord hear us’ is ‘Lord graciously hear us’.

We also end some services and church meetings by ‘saying the grace together, which comes from 2 Corinthians, chapter 13, verse 14:

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,  and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, now and evermore. Amen.

So what is this grace of which we speak?

When we talk about the grace of  our Lord Jesus Christ, it refers to the unmerited favour, love and enabling power offered through Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross.  But in a wider context it also refers to the favour, shown to us by God; to God’s boundless generosity of love given freely to us; and I guess, the kindness God shows us by extending his love and blessings to us sinners, who must try his patience at times!

But we need to bear in mind that God’s grace, is not contingent on us doing something to merit God’s love and support. 

It is given freely to us, a love with no strings attached, yet, should we choose to accept this amazing gift from God, it can influence and change lives in ways no mortal can; it can provide us with salvation, with no effort on our part, except the effort required to just open our hearts and minds to receive and be transformed by God’s love, thus helping us to overcome sin, and providing spiritual nourishment  on a daily basis.

So, what can you take away from today:

• Grace is foundational to Christianity and is, often described as God’s unmerited favour that brings salvation, strengthens faith, and nurtures spiritual transformation. It manifests in forgiveness of sins, spiritual blessings, and empowerment to live a godly life. Christians understand grace to be freely given through Jesus Christ, emphasizing that it cannot be achieved by works alone.
  

• On a personal level, grace is often felt in moments of peace, unexpected help, inspiration, or relief from difficulty. Experiencing grace can instill a sense of humility, gratitude, and openness to higher guidance. Spiritually attuned individuals may view acts of kindness, insight, or renewal as expressions of grace influencing their life journey.

Key points:

• Grace is unconditional and freely given, emphasizing divine generosity.

• It encourages inner transformation, moral growth, and resilience.

• Recognizing grace can inspire gratitude, compassion, and humility in one’s daily life.

• While spiritual disciplines like prayer, meditation, or service do not earn grace, they often prepare the heart to receive and respond to it.

This last point touches on the ways in which we might invite God into our lives to enable us to transform ourselves during our spiritual journey.  We can do this by:

• Praying regularly – no fancy words needed – just say what’s on your heart.

• Reading the Bible or getting a book of Bible readings and meditations.

• Spending time in nature just enjoying creation.

• Counting your blessings by reflecting on one good thing that happened to you each day noting how you felt and perhaps learned from the experience.

• Consider keeping a journal as you continue your spiritual journey.

~ Margaret Hodder