Divine grace

Casstiel blurted out: Divine grace is a theological term present in many religions.
It has been defined as the divine influence which operates in humans to regenerate and sanctify, to inspire virtuous impulses, and to impart strength to endure trial and resist temptation;  and as an individual virtue or excellence of divine origin.

Grace in Christianity is the free and unmerited favour of God as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the
bestowing of blessings.

 It is God's gift of salvation granted to sinners for their salvation. Common Christian teaching is that grace is unmerited mercy (favor) that God gave to humanity by sending his son to die on a cross, thus delivering eternal salvation. This definition does not cover all uses of the term in scripture.

For example Luke 2:40 (King James Version) "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him." In this example when using the definition of grace to mean unmerited favor it does not make sense, to some, that the sinless Christ would need this.

However many Christians believe that upon him means integral with or through him (John 1:17, NIV). This at its root means literally Christ dispenses Gods grace from himself. Equally some say, how can one fall short of grace? (Galatians 5:4) or meekness attract it and pride repel it (James 4:6) if it is unmerited. However many Christians believe that the grace of God is accessed simply as an act of faith.

Romans 3:23 (KJV) states "For all have sinned,and come short of the glory of God;" yet Romans 6:23 (NIV) states, "For the wages of sin is death (eternal separation from God) but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

 In sum John 3:16 (KJV) says for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son,that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For example James Ryle has suggested "Grace is the empowering Presence of God enabling you to be who He created you to be, and to do what He has called you to do." Alternatively Bill Gothard has suggested "God's grace gives us the desire and the power to do his will.

In the New Testament, the word translated as grace is the Greek word charis, pronounced khar'-ece, for which Strong's Concordance gives this definition; "Graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude)"

A Greek word that is related to charis is charisma (gracious gift). Both these words originated from another Greek word chairo (to rejoice, be glad, delighted).

 In the Old Testament, the Hebrew term used is chen, which is defined in Strong's as "favor, grace or charm; grace is the moral quality of kindness, displaying a favorable disposition". In the King James translation, Chen is translated as "grace" 38 times, "favour" 26 times, twice as "gracious", once as "pleasant", and once as "precious".

Within Christianity, there are differing concepts of how grace is appropriated. In particular, Catholics and Reformed Protestants understand the appropriation of grace in substantially different ways. It has been described as "the watershed that divides Catholicism from Protestantism, Calvinism from Arminianism, modern liberalism from conservatism". Catholic doctrine teaches that God has imparted Divine Grace upon humanity, and uses the vehicle of sacraments, carried out in faith, as a primary and effective means to facilitate the reception of his grace.

 For Catholics, sacraments (carried out in faith) are the incarnational or tangible vehicle through which God's grace becomes personally and existentially received. Reformed Protestants, generally, do not share this sacramental view on the transmittal of grace, but instead favor a less institutionalized mechanism.

 For example, in the Catholic Church, the primary initiation into a state of grace is granted by God through baptism (in faith)  instead of by a simple prayer of faith (sinner's prayer); although, Catholics would not deny the possible efficacy of even a simple prayer for God's grace to flow (Baptism by desire. Another example: For Catholics, the sacrament of reconciliation (in faith) is the primary means of transmitting grace after a mortal sin has been committed.