What is grace?
Grace is God's unearned, undeserved favor. Because we could not save ourselves, God freely gave us in Christ what we did not deserve: forgiveness, righteousness, and adoption. Grace is why the gospel is a gift.
This question arose from studying What is the gospel?.
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What the Scripture says
Grace is unearned favor
'By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.' Paul adds: if it is by grace, it is no longer of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. A gift that can be earned is not a gift.
for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.
And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
Now to him who works, the reward is not counted as grace, but as something owed.
God gives what we do not deserve
We had all sinned and fallen short, yet we are 'justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.' Grace runs to the undeserving, almost shockingly: the prodigal's father runs and embraces him while he is still a long way off.
for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;
“He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
Grace is a Person and a power, not just a feeling
'The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all.' Grace is embodied in Jesus, who came full of grace and truth, and it is the power that sustains us: 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' It saves, and it keeps.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
Where sin abounded, grace abounded more
'Where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly: that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life.' Grace is not the license to sin; it is the power that frees us from sin's reign.
The law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly; that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? May it never be! We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer?
instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world;
As you read, you may wonder…
Scripture raises the next question
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What does it mean to be justified?→“We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.”What is faith, exactly?→“Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.”What is repentance?→““Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,”Does grace mean I can live however I want?→“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? May it never be! We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer?”What does it mean that Christ's righteousness is 'imputed' to us?→“For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”Is it okay to have doubts sometimes?→“Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “I believe. Help my unbelief!””Is repentance a one-time decision or a lifelong posture?→“Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance!”What is the kingdom of God?→“and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.””What is the difference between grace and mercy?→“for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.”How are justification and sanctification related?→“Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;”What does it mean to walk by faith and not by sight?→“for we walk by faith, not by sight.”How do I know my repentance is genuine?→“For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death.”Did God choose me to be saved before I chose Him?→“even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without defect before him in love;”Can anyone resist God's grace?→“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day.”What price can buy forgiveness?→“none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give God a ransom for him. For the redemption of their life is costly, no payment is ever enough,”What does it mean that God remembers our sins no more?→“and they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know Yahweh; for they shall all know me, from their least to their greatest, says Yahweh: for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more.”What are the parables of the kingdom about?→“He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field; which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches.””Explore further
How does God actually change me?→Our Walk with Him trail“I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.”Hold onto these
Verses to meditate on
for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.
being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;
He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
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