What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear “God’s grace”? My first thought is “a beautiful, unearned gift of salvation and forgiveness.” But recently, God has begun challenging my long-held belief that grace is a one-time gift we receive when we are saved. Perhaps you also desire more understanding about God’s generous gift of grace.
So, what exactly is God’s grace? An old acronym states Grace is: God’s Riches At My Expense. But this doesn’t give a clear picture of what grace is. What riches does it refer to? It also doesn’t answer my question about grace being a one-time thing. So, I would like to propose a new acronym. I believe it answers these questions.
Gift From God, Not Earned
The dictionary defines grace as courteous goodwill. But to Christians, grace has a broader meaning. The Greek word used in the Bible for grace is “charis.” It represents the state of kindness and favor toward someone, an extension of a gift or benefit. Christians define grace as a free gift or unmerited favor, blessing, or talent from God.
Why does God give us grace?
None of us deserves grace. But God gives us this gift because he loves us, and being gracious is part of His character. “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 145:8, ESV).
God’s grace is unearned.
“At the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace” (Romans 11:5-6, NIV).
Receiving Redemption
Redemption means gaining or regaining possession of something in exchange for payment or the clearing of a debt. Jesus took the penalty for our sin and made it possible for us to be restored to a right relationship with God. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24, NIV).
The Greek word used for “redemption” in this verse is apolytrōsis, which conveys the idea of paying a ransom to set someone free. Through His sacrifice, Jesus gave His life as the ransom, freeing us from the penalty of sin and reconciling us to God.
Access To All God’s Gifts and Promises
God’s gift of grace gives believers access to all His gifts and promises. “The LORD is faithful and will keep all of his promises. He is loving toward everything he has made.” Here are just some of those:
- Eternal Life: (Romans 6:23
- Relationship and Companionship with God: (1 John 1:3
- His Steadfast Love: (Romans 8:38-39
- Forgiveness: (1 John 2:2)
- Righteousness: (2 Corinthians 5:21)
- Peace: (John 14:27)
- Joy: (Psalm 16:11)
- Hope: (Jeremiah 29:11)
- Strength and Help: (Psalm 46:1)
- Freedom From Fear: (Psalm 23:4)
- The Ability to Overcome Obstacles and Do All Things: (Philippians 4:13)
- The Holy Spirit to Teach, Guide, Help, and Empower: (Acts 2:38, John 14:26, John 16:13, Romans 8:26, and Acts 1:8)
- The Ability to Live Godly Lives Full of the Fruit of the Spirit: (Galatians 5:22-23)
- Supernatural Spiritual Gifts: (2 Corinthians 3:17)
Christ’s Sacrifice Is The Key
In the Old Testament, God gave the law. Anyone who broke the law sinned and deserved death. But God loved us so much that He didn’t let this happen. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17, NIV).
God gave us grace and salvation by sending His son to die in our place. “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people” (Titus 2:11, NIV). Thus, Jesus’ sacrifice is the key to God’s grace. “But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!” (Romans 5:15, NIV).
Everyone Can Receive by Believing
Remember, we cannot earn grace. Believing in Jesus is the only way to receive grace. “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” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The key here is faith, which is twofold: a belief in Jesus and a commitment to trust and act on our belief. “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved” (Romans 10:9-10, NIV).
God’s Grace Is NOT A One-Time Gift
The Bible uses the word grace 131 times in both the Old and New Testaments because God’s grace has always existed. “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:9-10, NIV).
Grace is much more than a one-time gift of salvation. Just look at the exhaustive list above to see some of the gifts and promises God’s grace gives us access to. One example is the power grace gave the apostles to teach the gospel or truth about Jesus. “And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33, ESV).
Similarly, Grace gives us the power to live and serve God. “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8, ESV). In fact, the Bible instructs, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10, NIV).
Grace even allows God’s power to work despite our weakness. “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.‘ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9, /ESV).
We Can Extend God’s Grace To Others
Grace means God treats us better than we deserve. Thus, we can now extend grace to others. Jesus told His disciples, “Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10.8 NIV).
We can extend Grace to others by:
- Forgiving others: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4.32 NIV).
- Speaking kind and encouraging words: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4.6, NIV).
- Serving others with the Gifts God has given to us: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us” (Romans 12.6, NIV).
- Sharing the gospel with others: Paul said, “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” and “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:14 & 16, NIV).
God’s Grace Allows Us To Draw Near With Confidence
With a broader understanding of God’s grace, we can begin applying it daily. “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV).
We can also approach God confidently, knowing He will forgive and help us with our needs. “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16, NIV).
