"WHAT we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds." These words of Mary Baker Eddy's, found on page 4 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," led the writer to a thorough study of the word "grace." This study resulted in a clearer realization that its essential nature must be understood if one is to grow into that stature of Christliness which enables him to approximate the works of the Master.
Pertaining to beauty, grace is symmetry, rhythm of motion, graciousness of manner. In human affections it is expressed as tenderness, unselfishness, tolerance, forbearance. In the fulfillment of moral law it is recognized as honor, mercy, compassion, justice, and the like. All these characteristics sweeten and beautify human experience, but they are not of human origin. At best, physical comeliness and attraction are but counterfeits of the indestructible beauty and grace of Spirit which God has bestowed upon His image and likeness, man. Selfless affection, blossoming in loving deeds, is the expression of God's grace, which abounds in the hearts of those who recognize their spiritual being as heirs of God.
In its religious sense, grace may be defined as piety, humility, heavenly-mindedness, purity, holiness, consecration, not of the earth. One dictionary defines grace as "the unmerited favor and love of God towards man, in Christ." This definition implies that man is an erring mortal upon whom a benign creator vouchsafes unmerited favor. Christian Science reveals grace as the free gift of the eternal Father-Mother God, shared impartially by all His beloved sons and daughters.
