Here's a string quartet arrangement I wrote using the melody from the hymn "Amazing Grace".

What is grace? The Bible defines it as follows (from the Greek word Charis):

That which causes joy, pleasure, gratification, favor, acceptance, a benefit, thanks, gratitude, a favor done without expectation of return; the absolutely free expression of the loving kindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of the Giver; unearned and unmerited favor.

That’s what God has done for us by His love, through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for our sins and resurrection, having justified us before God. As God sees Jesus, He sees us. The Almighty God, perfect and complete, sees us through “Jesus-colored glasses”, if you will. The same way He views His Son, in righteousness and completeness, is how he views all mankind.

You may not feel holy and righteous. You may not always do holy and righteous things, and you may feel completely undeserving of total forgiveness, wholeness and peace. But it’s God’s gift to you.

Like any gift, we can refuse it or accept it. For those who choose to simply accept it, saying, “Thank You”, all the benefits pour in. How could anyone reject such a lovely gift?

Receiving it inspires us with a new idea: we want to give a gift to someone else. It's the gift of unmerited, undeserved favor, forgiveness and acceptance. Our desire to do this is the evidence of whether or not we first received it for ourselves.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends, if you do what I command you…This I command you, that you love one another.” (Jn. 15:12-14, 17)

His grace is truly amazing, as it comes to us, but it takes on a whole new dimension when it flows through us to others!

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed!

Thro’ many dangers toils and snares,

I have already come;

‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

Than when we first begun.