“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Grace, in its pristine biblical essence, constitutes divine unmerited favour, an aggregation of blessings, providential occurrences, and unearned positives converging upon human existence without measurable contribution from the recipient, and profoundly, even in the absence of merit. Theologically, Augustine termed it gratuitous infusion elevating the soul beyond merit. Philosophically, Kierkegaard envisioned a paradoxical leap from despair to faith. And Archbishop Benson Idahosa preached, grace is “heaven’s credit card” drawn freely by faith. It is indeed an unmerited aggregation of blessings, providential good, and positives converging without human effort or desert.
When adversity strikes, be it personal affliction, societal discord, or national upheaval, grace emerges not as a passive bystander but a resilient bulwark. In the individual’s life, it cushions the fall, turning loss into latent gain; consider the widow whose meagre store multiplies through unseen benevolence. For society, grace mends fractured bonds, fostering reconciliation where enmity festers, as in post-conflict healing. At the national scale, it averts collapse, infusing economies with improbable boons or leaders with timely wisdom.
Scripturally, grace (ḥēn in Hebrew, charis in Greek) embodies God’s gratuitous benevolence towards the unworthy. It is not mere pardon but empowering enablement: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). John Calvin termed it the ‘fountain of every good,’ initiating salvation and sanctification. In the Old Testament, it rests upon Noah (Genesis 6:8), prefiguring New Covenant abundance.
Grace is God’s kindness to the undeserving. In Mosaic economy, grace tempers justice: Israel, murmuring rebels, spared annihilation through intercession, as “The Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious” (Exodus 34:6). Noah, a simple man in a wicked world, found it first: “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8). Mary, a young girl from Nazareth, heard the angel say, “Hail, thou that art highly favoured” (Luke 1:28), chosen to carry the Saviour. Saul, breathing threats against Christians, met grace on the Damascus road and became Paul, declaring, “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Even the thief dying beside Jesus heard, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). And lame Mephibosheth, forgotten grandson of a king, ate at David’s table out of pure favour: “I will surely shew thee kindness” (2 Samuel 9:7). Each story whispers: No one is too far gone for grace.
This biblical trajectory manifests grace’s forms: prevenient (John 6:44, drawing the unwilling); justifying (“justified freely by his grace,” Romans 3:24); sanctifying (“grow in grace,” 2 Peter 3:18). Amid adversity, grace suffices: “My grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Corinthians 12:9), as manna sustained wilderness wanderers or Elijah’s ravens fed the fugitive (1 Kings 17:6).
Grace comes to save us: “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). It grows us: “Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord” (2 Peter 3:18). It blesses everyone, rain on good and bad alike. It’s the trader whose shop survived fire while others burned, or the student passing exams after failing mocks – grace found them.
Grace isn’t something we chase or earn; we open our hearts to receive it. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). May the Lord pour His grace on us, turn our stories into songs of praise. Amen.
Hon. Ibekwe Nnamdi Chimdi FCIMS., FNIS.
Lawmaker representing Bende North Constituency, Abia State.