My answer is there topcat. And I’ve defined it several times. Basically, grace is imparted by the grace of God irrespective of the individual’s will. We do not receive saving grace because we want it. We receive saving grace because God wills it. He gives us the want to. But our want to has nothing to do with our receiving His grace any more than our taking Lord’s Supper has to do with us receiving grace from Him. It is WHOLLY and entirely unmerited favor. A blessing may be closely related and may be unmerited or merited. God said I bless you because you...(obeyed, are righteous, etc.,) In the blessing, sometimes, but not always, our human deeds play a part. It is a subtle difference, but it is a significant one. If one attaches any work we do to our receiving His grace, if we merit it because of any action that we perform, then it is no more grace. It is works. Otherwise, Sola Gratia is destroyed.
Therefore, when one participates in the ordinances of God, one does not receive a special grace- for we receive the fullness of His saving grace when we are saved and He gives us grace throughout life at the pleasure of His will. We do receive the blessings associated with those ordinances though in that we draw closer to our Lord through obedience and fellowship with Him.
Would you mind commenting on your understanding of these verses? {My questions follow each verse.}
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” (Eph. 4:29) {Does this not appear to speak of increased grace as the result of obedience?}
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;” (Heb. 12:14,15) {Does not the will of the person play into the “falling short”?}
“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5; cf. James 4:6) {Does not grace come to those who are willingly humble?}
“We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” (2 Cor. 6:1) {How can one receive God’s grace in vain if it has nothing to do with the “individual’s will”?}
“But as you abound in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us--see that you abound in this grace also.” (2 Cor. 8:7) {Does this not speak of “abounding in grace” as the result of our actions?}
“You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” (Gal. 5:4) {Again, how can one “fall from grace” if it is “irrespective of the individual’s will”?}