What is "Grace"

This question was asked to a group of men this morning and the chorus of replies was typical: "unmerited favor." This may be true in part, but real grace has a purpose, a thorough definition of which can be found in Titus 2:11-14. It is as follows:

v12 - Grace not only brings salvation, unmerited as it is, it also teaches us to deny, to say "no" to, ungodliness and worldly desires. It teaches us to live sensibly, righteously and godly in this present age. You might say, grace does not just give to us, it expects something from us. If we think not, we are not talking about the grace of God that is defined here.
v13 - It also teaches us to look forward to the return of our King, Jesus.
v14 - Using a modern paradigm, grace is "purpose driven". Jesus gave himself for us to "redeem us from every lawless deed", to "purify a people for Himself that is zealous for good works." If our "grace" isn't about purity and zeal for what is right, it is not the grace of God. His grace is an enabler.

Another less common definition of grace is the "power and desire to do what pleases God". That comes closer to the purpose-driven grace of Titus 2:11-14.