What is grace and how do I receive it?

Author: BibleAsk Team


Definition

Grace is a gift from the Heavenly Father given through His Son, Jesus Christ. It is not merely God’s favor toward those who might deserve His approval, it is His unlimited, transforming love toward the wicked; and the good news of this grace is “the power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16).

Thus, Grace is not merely God’s mercy and willingness to forgive, it is an active, changing power to save. Therefore, it may fill a person (John 1:14), it may be given (Romans 12:3, 6), it is all-sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9), it rules (Romans 5:21), it instructs (Titus 2:11, 12), and it confirms the heart (Hebrews 13:9). Divine grace is the great element of God’s saving power. For the Son of God offered His life to restore in mankind the character of God.

Grace and Salvation

The Lord says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9). Salvation is a free gift, without money or price (Isaiah 55:1; John 4:14; 2 Corinthians 9:15; 1 John 5:11).

God does the work of Salvation through the death of His Only Begotten Son. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). No man will ever be able to boast of himself, “I have earned salvation.”

Grace and Faith

People receive God’s free gift of salvation by faith which is the only requirement for salvation, “The one who believes has eternal life” (John 6:47; 5:24). God did all the work and it is up to man to accept it.

It is grace on God’s part and faith on man’s part that would bring the transformation of character. Faith accepts God’s free gift of salvation and entrusts the Lord to bring about the fruits of the Spirit in the life of the believer. Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness” (Romans 4:3).

Of himself man cannot bring forth good works. It is necessary for him to be spiritually re-created in Christ before he can produce the good works that God purposes. The Lord gives man a new nature through the daily study of Scriptures and prayer which changes the will, affections, and life of the believer (Matthew 5:14–16).

Grace and the law

Works are not a cause but an effect of salvation. But Paul adds, “Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law” (Romans 3:31). Grace and the law work in perfect cooperation. The law points out sin, and grace saves from sin. The law is the revealed will of God, and grace is the power to do His will. Thus, Christians do not obey the law in order to be saved but because they are saved.

In His service,
BibleAsk Team

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