Understanding The Grace Of God

Grace is the unmerited mercy that God gave to us by sending His son to die on a cross to give us eternal salvation. Every promise God made to His Church (believers of Christ) is based upon the finished work of Christ on the cross; NOT on anything that we do, have done or will do. It is only in this manner that Christ receives the glory and not us.  And it is only in this manner that we obtain the blessings purchased by His sacrifice.

Definition of Grace

GRACE is God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.

There are two sides of grace:

• The unmerited favor, mercy, compassion, acceptance, kindness, graciousness, goodwill, and divine assistance of God.
• The divine life, power, and ability of God flowing and operating through us in order to give us the supernatural power and ability for ministry and sanctification.

Grace is God showing His love to us even when we don’t deserve it.  God’s grace cannot be earned.  We don’t deserve to be saved from sin and to be given eternal life, but God shows His Grace by saving us from sin’s punishment when we trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  God also shows His Grace by giving us strength and guidance and by taking care of us each day.  God, by His Grace, gives us the strength to handle difficult problems in our life.  God’s grace is wonderful!

Ephesians 2:8

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:”

Romans 11:6

“And if by grace, then [is it] no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if [it be] of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”

God’s grace is abundant and never runs out.  The amount of God’s grace is always greater than the depth of our sins.  God’s grace extends to all humankind–sustaining life, withholding judgment, and restraining sin; but it is particularly bestowed on those who are being saved, for redemption through Christ is the crowning work of God’s grace. From start to finish, salvation is a work of grace. It is out of God’s grace that he calls, regenerates, justifies, sanctifies and glorifies his own. Those who are God’s children can know that all of God’s actions toward them are gracious actions, because even the difficult things God allows them to endure come to them with a gracious purpose: to produce the fruit of righteousness within them. Those who are being saved are God’s workmanship–his recreated people–and that all of what they become is a result of God’s work rather than their own work demonstrates the surpassing wealth of God’s grace .

Ephesians 2: 7-10

“That in the ages to come he might shed the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For by grace a re ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Good works come as a result of receiving grace through faith. The order cannot be changed, and this is an essential point of Christianity. No man can do anything to earn God’s favor or approval. Only Christ is approved by God. As His life is given to us by grace, we then (and only then) will be able to do works that are truly good from God’s perspective. Only then will we stand approved before the Father.  Christianity is a religion based upon faith alone, not faith plus works. Good works will be the result of our faith in Jesus and the outpouring of His grace.

Tagged as: Grace, Salvation