Grace

I would now like to share with you what the Orthodox Church teaches about grace. Grace is one of the most important words in the Christian life, and the Bible speaks of it often.

Grace is the free gift of God. Saint Paul writes: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). Grace is not something we can earn. It is God’s love and power freely given to us.

Grace is God’s very life working in us. In Orthodoxy, grace is not only God’s favor, but His real presence transforming us. Saint Peter says that through God’s promises, we “become partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). Grace makes us able to share in God’s holiness.

Grace strengthens us to live as Christians. When Paul faced trials, God told him: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Grace is God’s strength helping us in our weakness, giving us the power to endure and to grow.

Grace works through the sacraments. The sacraments are not just symbols—they are real channels of God’s grace. For example, in baptism we receive new life by grace (Romans 6:4). In Communion, we are nourished by Christ Himself through grace (John 6:56).

Grace calls us to cooperation. The Orthodox Church teaches that grace does not take away our free will. Instead, we must respond. Saint Paul says: “Working together with Him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain” (2 Corinthians 6:1). Grace invites us to act with God, not apart from Him.

Grace leads us to salvation. Ultimately, it is grace that saves us. As Paul says, we are “justified freely by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). Grace is the beginning, the journey, and the end of our life with God.

Grace is God Himself working in us—healing, strengthening, forgiving, and making us holy. It is always His gift, but it calls us to respond in faith and love.

With love in Christ,
Fr. Charles

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