What is Grace
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Eph 2:4,5, 8-10 (NIV)
In the Old Testament, it means graciousness, kindness, and favor. It is derived from a word that means to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior, with the purpose of bestowing favor.
In the New Testament, this kindness is stressed with having only one motivation—love. It is clearly unearned and unmerited favor, and it causes joy, pleasure, gratification, favor, benefit, thanks, and gratitude.
Evangelist F.B. Meyer illustrated the free gift of of God’s grace to a woman he visited who wanted to know the Lord, but didn’t know how. He asked for a cup of tea, and when it was brought, he ignored it and asked again. Four or five times he asked for the tea he already had. Finally, she saw it—the Lord’s favor, eternal life, and the power to live that life right now is already ours—it has already been given. That was God’s part; our part is to repent, surrender, and reach out and take it unto ourselves.
If you belong to Him by faith in His Son and His shed blood, His everlasting arms are beneath you. Soar in His grace, allowing it to be the wind that fills your wings. The grace is there, it is up to you, if you are not saved, to repent, turn from sin, and let His resurrected life live in you.
Some think that grace implies that God will just wink at sin and ignore it. That cannot be farther from the truth. Grace is unfair. It is staggeringly unfair. Jesus takes my sin and pays for it on the cross and I, a sinner, in return receive his righteousness and life. Extremely unfair! However unfair it may be, it is absolutely just.
Matthew describes Jesus as the fulfillment and the fulfiller of the law. God did and does not ignore sin. He paid for sin. The crucifixion was the fulfillment of the requirements of the law against sin. There are many theological words to describe what took place: expiation, propitiation, reconciliation, and redemption. God’s wrath is appeased. There is nothing more any of us can do to pay for sin. Jesus did it all. What could you or I possibly add to the cross? Nothing! The price was paid in full on Calvary.
GRACE is Justice PLUS Mercy
God chooses to pay for sin at great cost to himself and then turn around and give unmerited and unconditional love, acceptance, and forgiveness to the very people who were the basis for the need for payment.
The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled , upright, and Godly lives in this present evil age.
Cheap Grace
If one understands the concept of grace, there is no such thing as ‘cheap grace’. Click Here to learn about the concept of Cheap Grace.
Grace and Good Works
If we are truly born again, good works should follow our receiving of Christ as our LORD and Savior. Learn More.