Opening the Gates of Heaven Perry Stone

of heaven. Having a window open and keeping a window open are two different things. Getting a window opened happens because of God’s redemptive grace, but keeping it open is a result of God’s covenant favor . It may surprise you to discover the connection between the word favor and the word grace . In fact, the Hebrew word for “favor” i s chen and is the same word translated and used for “grace.” The New Testament Greek words for “favor” and “grace” are also the same! The word favor is the Greek word charis (Luke 1:30; 2:52; Acts 2:47; 7:10, 46). The Greek New Testament word for grace is also charis (Luke 2:40; Acts 4:33; Rom. 1:5) and means, “that which causes delight or favorable regard toward.” While the Greek and Hebrew meanings are the same, there is one major difference between grace and favor in relation to how it is applied in certain biblical narratives, and this distinction is important. Grace is unearned and is a free gift from God, but favor may be deserved or gained. The basic meaning of the grace of God is, “God’s free gift of mercy and salvation given to believers.” The favor of God is indicated when grace is multiplied or added and called “more grace” (James 4:6), or to be “highly favored” (Luke 1:28). When God chose Mary to carry the Messiah, the angel told her she was “highly favored.” This means she was looked upon with a greater measure of God’s favor than other women. While God is “no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34, KJV ), He does choose certain persons over