You’ve probably heard the word grace all your life, especially in church.
But do you really know what it means according to the Bible? Grace is one of the key concepts of the Christian faith, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood.
In this article, we’ll explore the true biblical meaning of grace and how you can receive more of God’s unmerited favor in your own life.
We’ll look at how grace and faith work hand-in-hand, with faith as the avenue through which we get to experience the gift of grace.
Understanding grace is foundational to growing in your relationship with God.
You’ll learn that while grace is free, it’s not cheap, and it changes everything when you embrace it.
Get ready to find out what grace truly means and how it can transform your life!
Defining Grace in the Bible
Grace is God’s unmerited favor and divine assistance given to humanity.
When God extends His grace to us, it means He is reaching out in kindness despite our faults and failures.
This loving act of grace comes to us through faith in Jesus Christ.
God’s grace is a gift.
There’s nothing we can do to earn it or deserve it.
The Bible tells us that “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).
When we accept this gift of grace through faith in Christ, it saves us from our sins and reconciles us to God.
Undeserved yet Freely Given
We don’t deserve God’s grace.
The Bible says “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
But even though we are sinners, God poured out His grace on us by sending Jesus to die for our sins.
“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
A Transforming Power
God’s grace changes us from the inside out.
When we accept it, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us, giving us the power to overcome sin.
This grace teaches us “to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:12).
Day by day, God’s grace is shaping us into the image of His Son.
God’s grace is truly amazing.
It lifts us up from our failures, washes away our sins, and sets our feet on the solid rock of Jesus Christ.
This unmerited favor transforms our lives and gives us hope for eternity.
Truly, we have found grace in the eyes of the Lord!
Grace as God’s Unmerited Favor
God’s grace is His unmerited favor lavished upon us.
We can’t earn grace through good works or righteous living; it is a free gift from God.
When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we receive God’s grace.
All of our sins are forgiven, and we are seen as righteous in God’s eyes.
Although we don’t deserve it, He pours out His grace upon us abundantly.
What an amazing gift!
Grace Changes Our Standing before God
Before we come to faith in Christ, we are enemies of God, separated from Him because of our sin.
But His grace changes our standing.
No longer enemies, we become children of God.
We are adopted into His family and can call Him “Father.”
Grace Empowers Us to Live for God
God’s grace not only saves us but also transforms us.
It gives us the power to overcome sin and live righteous lives.
We can’t do this on our own strength; we need the power of the Holy Spirit working in us.
Through grace, God enables us to love others, serve Him, and fulfill the purpose He has for our lives.
We Can’t Earn Grace, Only Receive It
No one deserves God’s grace.
There is nothing we can do to earn it or achieve it through our own efforts.
We can only receive it as a gift, by faith in Jesus Christ.
When we realize how unworthy we are and how much we need Him, that is when His grace is sufficient for us.
Our weakness allows His power to be displayed.
What an amazing God we serve! His grace abounds all the more toward us when we understand how little we deserve it.
Examples of Grace in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, God showed grace and favor to His faithful followers.
For example, Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
God warned Noah about the great flood and instructed him to build an ark to save himself, his family, and the animals.
Because of Noah’s faith and obedience, God showed him grace by protecting and saving him.
Another example is Abraham.
God called Abraham out of Ur and promised to make him into a great nation.
Even though Abraham and Sarah were old and childless, God was faithful to His promise.
He blessed them with a son, Isaac.
God showed Abraham grace and favor because Abraham believed God’s promise.
Joseph
Joseph is a prime example of how God’s grace and favor can overcome difficult circumstances.
Although Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery out of jealousy, God was with Joseph.
He found favor with Potiphar and was put in charge of Potiphar’s household.
Even when falsely accused and imprisoned, God gave Joseph the ability to interpret dreams.
This led to his release and position of authority in Egypt.
Despite adversity and injustice, God’s grace and favor on Joseph’s life prevailed.
Moses
Moses is another example of God bestowing grace and favor.
Although Moses killed an Egyptian and fled from Egypt in fear, God called him to lead the Israelites out of slavery.
God spoke to Moses through a burning bush and told him to return to Egypt.
Because of God’s grace and calling on his life, Moses was able to stand before Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites.
God performed mighty miracles through Moses, parting the Red Sea and providing manna and quail in the wilderness.
Even after the Israelites worshipped the golden calf, God showed Moses grace and favor by allowing his presence to remain with them.
The Old Testament is filled with examples of ordinary people who found extraordinary grace and favor in God’s eyes because of their faith and obedience.
God’s grace is freely given, but it must be received through faith.
Like Noah, Abraham, Joseph and Moses, we too can experience God’s grace and calling on our lives when we believe in His promises and walk in faithful obedience.
Grace Through Jesus Christ in the New Testament
Grace is one of the central themes of the New Testament.
The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ ushered in a new era of grace.
No longer were God’s people required to follow the strict set of rules laid out in the Old Testament law.
Instead, through faith in Christ, grace became freely available to all.
Grace Through Faith
The New Testament teaches that grace is received through faith, not through following the law or good works.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Accepting God’s gift of grace by putting your faith in Jesus Christ is what saves us.
Grace as Undeserved Favor
Grace is defined as unmerited or undeserved favor.
We can’t earn grace—it is a gift freely given by God.
Even though we are sinners deserving of punishment, God chooses to show us favor and mercy through Christ.
Romans 5:8 says: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Even when we were unworthy, God’s grace was displayed through Jesus.
Grace Freely Given
The New Testament emphasizes that God’s grace is a gift freely given to all.
Jesus paid the price for that grace by dying on the cross for our sins.
By accepting that gift of grace through faith in Christ, we can have eternal life.
Grace abounds throughout the New Testament, highlighting God’s mercy, love, and salvation freely offered to all people.
This grace is truly amazing!
Receiving God’s Grace Through Faith
To receive God’s grace, you must have faith.
As the Bible says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith.
And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Grace is a gift freely given by God, but to accept it, you must believe in Him and trust His promises.
Believe in God and His Son
The first step is to believe in God and Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
You must recognize that you are a sinner in need of salvation, and that Jesus died on the cross and rose again to save you from your sins.
As Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Salvation comes through faith alone in Christ alone.
Repent of Your Sins
Next, you must repent of your sins.
Repentance means turning away from your sinful ways and turning to God.
Ask God for forgiveness, and make the choice to live for Him.
Acts 3:19 says, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Repentance is a change of heart that leads to a change of action.
Trust in God’s Promises
Finally, you must trust in God’s promises of grace, mercy, forgiveness, and eternal life.
Take Him at His word, as Hebrews 10:23 says: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” God’s grace is a gift, but you must have faith to receive it.
Trust that Jesus paid the price for your sins, and rely on His sacrifice alone for your salvation.
Through faith in God, repentance of sins, and trust in His promises, you can receive the gift of God’s grace.
Salvation is all of God from beginning to end.
But He requires your faith and belief to pour out His grace, mercy and forgiveness in your life.
