What Is God’s Grace?

“And of his fullness we have all we received, grace for grace.”

John 1:16

 

In today’s world, grace is a word that we often use to describe something elegant or beautiful, but what is it about grace that makes it as such? What many people don’t realize is that grace is not just an ideal, it has a very real impact on our lives. It is not something that we can earn or develop, but is given to us by a God who loves us and cares for us. So for those who know Christ, what is the true definition of grace?

Grace is simply a gift given to us, not because we’ve earned it, but because of the love and kindness of the God. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” We all know that we’ve fallen short of God’s intentions for us. We all sin and fail to measure up to His glorious standards on a daily basis. If salvation were up to us, we would have no hope, but because our God is good, He sent His Son Jesus to pay the debt that we couldn’t. Salvation is now free for all who will turn from sin and follow Christ.

Not to be overlooked is the second part of the verse Ephesians 2:9 “Not of works, lest any man should boast.” A sad reality is that many so called Christians make a habit of boasting. They can’t stop showing off their accomplishments and their authority in the Church, as if somehow their works make them holier than everyone else. A crucial aspect of grace, on the other hand, is that it humbles us. It allows us to see the mess that we were, and more importantly, the beauty that we can be in Jesus. Those who boast about their faith likely have not experienced the true redeeming work of God’s grace in their lives, they are merely looking for a way to boost their own status.

So, what is the effect of grace on our lives? It is by grace that we can repent from our sin and become more like Christ every day. Titus 2:11-12 says, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldy lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” We cannot obtain righteousness on our own, our human nature is to keep going back to our old ways, to reject the will of God, but because of His grace, we can be free from this vicious cycle and because of His Holy Spirit within us, we can die to ourselves and live for Him. Grace, above all, magnifies the love of Christ, who died for sinners just like you and me, and it helps us to reflect that love to everyone we encounter.

Why Do Christians & Non Christians Need Help From God?

 

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