While truth may require removing veils from reality, unmasking people to reveal who they really are, grace may well imply respecting those veils if they shelter the shame, mystery, or dignity of a person. To understand what grace is all about, it's worthwhile to meditate on the New Testament term charis. It's the root from which the English word "charming” stems. Actually, charis has a lot to do with charm: It can refer either to physical beauty or to a winsome attitude that radiates warmth, acceptance, and joy.
The biblical concept of grace contradicts a widespread understanding of justice. And, in fact, grace isn't always just. Why does a father throw a party for his son who has squandered his wealth in wild living rather than for the older son who has served his father faithfully all along? Grace is an undeserved, free gift. Christians who live and die for high moral standards often reject a radical application of the principle of grace. They have paid a great price to become members of what they hoped was an exclusive club, the church. Now they want to keep it as exclusive as possible. They regard grace as unfair.
(Learn more about Grace with the help of The 3 Colors of Love)
