Romans 6:5-7 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁵ For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. ⁶ We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. ⁷ For one who has died has been set free from sin.

We win our freedom.

Ephesians 2:8 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

This is where a definition of unmerited favor comes into play. We won our freedom from sin by the death of Christ on the Cross. He is the gracious gift from God that by placing our faith in that effectual work, and accepting this free gift, we win our freedom from sin.

Since we have been talking about grace let it be known that while grace has its effect on our relationship with God it also has an effect in our relationship with the lost and our fellow Christians. While grace is an agent of change in us, it must be noted that it is also an agent of change in our behavior outwardly.

Luke 7:46-48 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁴⁶ You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. ⁴⁷ Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” ⁴⁸ And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Being loved by so great a love as His changes how we feel about ourselves and how we feel about others. Her behavior exceeded in love above that of His disciples. They had not thought to do for Jesus what she had done. They waited for the instructions of the master rather than listening to the love they had for Jesus.

Esther 2:17 English Standard Version (ESV) the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.

Looking at the first use of the word grace in the bible we find this verse. Jesus Christ is King of Kings and we are His betrothed. This verse reminds us of several things about this relationship. He loved us first. Then we won grace. Then we found favor in His sight. Lastly we win the crown.

The order is love, grace, favor, and then title.

Over the years teachers have defined for us that grace is unmerited favor. Finding favor listed separately after grace in this first use scripture gives us pause to ask if the teacher’s definition of grace is sufficient to explain grace.

It does not help the matter to find the Hebrew word for grace is ḥēn and is defined as favor, grace and charm. It is difficult at times to define the differences between words when they are found together in definitions. The word favor in this verse is ḥeseḏ in the Hebrew and is defined as goodness, kindness and faithfulness.

What do we, Christ betrothed, win?

1 Corinthians 9:20-22 English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁰ To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. ²¹ To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. ²² To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

We win souls to Christ just as we too were won by grace.