What is Grace? (Part 1)

The concept of grace is really not that hard on the surface of things. Grace is unmerited favor. The word favor means to do something for someone out of goodwill. Unmerited means that the favor was not earned. God has done something out of goodwill for the entire world, and the world certainly did not earn it much less deserve it. What did God do? He gave His Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Titus 2:11-12 comments on what God did: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” Jesus Christ brought salvation by teaching people the truth. This is how God’s grace is given to every single person today. 

That does not mean, however, that every single person is saved. The idea of salvation by grace alone is a concept that is foreign to the Bible. If it were true, then every single person would be saved since God’s grace was given to everyone, but we know that some will not be saved (Matthew 7:21-24). So, how is it that we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8)? We are saved by grace when we receive the gift of God’s grace by accepting and practicing the teaching of Jesus Christ. That’s exactly the point of Titus 2:11-12. One accepts and receives God’s grace by denying ungodliness and worldly lusts and living soberly, righteously, and godly.

To the Christian, God gives His grace by favoring the Christian with the spiritual blessings that are in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). The Christian can do nothing to earn or merit these blessings. God’s setting conditions for receiving these blessings does not militate against His grace; He remains gracious.

God bless you, and I love you.

Kevin Cauley