Friday, May 23, 2008

What is charis?

charis: (greek) χαρις

  1. grace -- that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech
  2. good will, loving-kindness, favour -- 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
  3. what is due to grace -- the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace
    -- the token or proof of grace, benefit
    a. a gift of grace
    b. benefit, bounty
  4. thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions- it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." -Ephesians 2:4-10

1 comment:

Mu said...

What is charis?

5. The little red head girl that God gave me....not so little anymore it seems.

Woke this morning to her empty bedroom and too many conflicting feelings to handle. In reading this first entry on the blog I was reminded WHY. There are people out there who aren't aware of the grace that's there for the taking!! What an amazingly courageous young woman God has commissioned for His purpose in Europe this summer. Her job is to be where God has called her - sharing charis - and I'll be here on my knees requisitioning supernatural guidance, wisdom and strength for His glory.