Why does everyone agree that grace means unmerited favor? That is not quite right...
For God wants us to transform by grace into what will merit his favor! Blessings.
Grace is God's enabling power. Power by means of the Spirit to transforms a man into becoming what God approves of!
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may
rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed
into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18
God sees the redeemed as a highly valuable commodity in his economy!
For we have been bought at a price!!! 1 Corinthians 6:20
God wants to invest His Grace in us to turn us into gold, silver, and precious stones!
We only do not merit favor when we are proud. When we refuse grace!
As long as we are accepting grace? We will MERIT more grace!
For it says....
But he gives greater grace; "The God keeps on opposing the proud . . .
but keeps on giving grace to the humble.".” James 4:6
Grace is God's power that God gives us, so that we can become transformed into what does merit His favor!!!!!!
Its without grace we do not merit His favor! For grace to be called unmerited favor? All of us would have to be always proud!
Just a thought... grace and peace