Christians, including the 2x2s often use this definition for grace: God’s unmerited favor or kindness to mankind.
Generally, the 2x2s do not believe the shed blood of Jesus Christ is sufficient to save them; and believe they must also do good works to merit salvation. Most believe their salvation hinges on their works. Most do not view salvation as a free gift from God by Grace through faith.
Some 2x2s believe the word Grace refers to a person who is gracious, extremely considerate, caring, merciful, tactful, a kind conversationalist. Grace is a term used for prayer before a meal.
The hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ is not in the 2×2 hymnbook.
Phil 2:12 – Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Ephesians 2:8 – For by grace, you have been saved through faith.
Worker Quote: We hear these days of some who have turned back. They have their eyes on something else that they think is cheaper and easier. They’re saying, “we are saved by grace, Jesus has done everything for us, there’s nothing for us to do.” We ARE saved by grace, “but” grace only moves us to obey. Jesus said that those who hear His words and don’t do them are fools. We won’t be saved without grace, that’s for sure, but we won’t be saved by grace unless we obey and put our feet in the path the Master trod (Ray Corbett, Beenleigh Spec., 1999).
Worker Quote re Works: My early years in Switzerland…I sat at the death bed of an elderly woman. She was dying of cancer, a wonderful soul the best, a mother in Israel, a very respected soul in the fellowship in those early days. She said to me that day, “You know I think of the future. I think of eternity of passing into eternity and am afraid because I know I do not deserve it. I do not merit it, when I look over my life I see so many mistakes, so many failures. I haven’t done enough to merit salvation to be with God for ever and ever.” (Overseer Graham Snow)
Worker Quote: Grace is hard to define, but to me, it is that which comes from God that makes the difference for us in every experience, in every situation. It is what makes up for our lack. It is what forgives and covers our sin, and erases our mistakes, giving us a clean sheet to start again and again and again. It is His strength made perfect in our weakness. It enables us to have victory against all odds (like David facing Goliath). It enables us to withstand temptation. It gives us the right words when we don’t know what to say, how to answer. And we could go on and on…it includes so many things, too numerous to mention… Absolutely nothing and no one can hinder or prevent God from giving us His grace, as long as it pleases Him to give it and we are open to receive it. There are some conditions of course. For one thing, He gives grace to the humble, but He resists the proud. If we don’t come to Him and ask, we won’t receive it. If we are relying on ourselves, if we don’t feel our need of help, then we won’t receive it. (Larry Stephens)
Worker Quote: The grace of God doesn’t change our lot in life, but it changes the grit into a pearl of great price. The grace of God only comes forth and is present when adversity is present. If there isn’t a pearl uniting us (just an agreement or common likeness) then one could say that we are together just because there is no grit. Everyone wants grace, but no one likes grit — and no one likes the place where grace is found — the place of humility. “God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble,” 1 Peter 5:5. (David Jennings).