What is Biblical Grace

Grace is a foundational concept in Biblical Christianity, encapsulating the unmerited favor and love of God toward humanity. It is by grace that salvation is offered, received, and experienced. To fully grasp the significance of grace, it is essential to explore its definition, its role in salvation, its relationship with faith, the transformative power of grace, and its implications for the Christian life.

1. The Definition of Grace

1.1 Grace as Unmerited Favor:

At its core, grace is the unmerited favor of God. The Greek word for grace, "charis," conveys the idea of kindness and favor given freely without expectation of return. In the context of salvation, grace refers to God’s loving and benevolent disposition toward humanity, not because of any inherent worth or merit in people, but solely because of God’s own nature and character. Ephesians 2:8-9 captures this truth: "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."

1.2 Grace as God’s Initiative:

Grace is God’s initiative in reaching out to humanity. It is God’s proactive movement toward sinners, offering them the gift of salvation even when they are undeserving and unable to earn it. Romans 5:8 illustrates this beautifully: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Grace is not a response to human goodness but the cause of any goodness or transformation that occurs in a person’s life.

1.3 Grace as God’s Power:

Grace is also understood as the power of God at work in the lives of believers. It is not merely God’s favor but also His active presence enabling believers to live out their faith. The Apostle Paul speaks of this empowering aspect of grace in 2 Corinthians 12:9, where God tells him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Grace empowers believers to overcome sin, endure trials, and live in a way that pleases God.

2. The Role of Grace in Salvation

2.1 Grace as the Source of Salvation:

Salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes that it is "by grace you have been saved." This means that salvation is a gift from God, not something that can be earned by human effort or good works. Grace is the source of all aspects of salvation—justification, sanctification, and glorification—ensuring that God alone receives the glory for saving sinners.

2.2 Grace in Justification:

Justification, the act of being declared righteous before God, is a result of God’s grace. Romans 3:24 explains that believers are "justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Grace means that God, in His love, provides the means of justification through the sacrifice of YAHshúa (Jesus Christ) on the cross. It is by grace that sinners are pardoned and accepted as righteous in God’s sight.

2.3 Grace in Regeneration:

Regeneration, or the new birth, is also a work of grace. Titus 3:5 states, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit." Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit, imparting new life to the believer, and this too is an act of grace. It is God’s initiative and power that bring a person from spiritual death to life.

2.4 Grace in Sanctification:

Sanctification, the process of being made holy, is an ongoing work of grace in the believer’s life. Philippians 2:13 affirms, "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." Grace not only saves but also sustains and transforms the believer. It is by grace that believers grow in holiness, becoming more like Christ in thought, word, and deed.

2.5 Grace in Glorification:

Glorification, the final stage of salvation, where believers are fully conformed to the image of Christ, is the consummation of God’s grace. Romans 8:30 states, "Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified." Grace ensures that the believer’s salvation will be completed, with the ultimate transformation and eternal life in the presence of God.

3. Grace and Faith: The Relationship

3.1 Grace and Faith as Complementary:

Grace and faith are complementary in the process of salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 explains that salvation is "by grace... through faith." Grace is the source of salvation, while faith is the means by which grace is received. Faith is not a work that earns grace but is the hand that receives the gift of grace. Together, grace and faith underscore that salvation is entirely a work of God, received through trust in Him.

3.2 Faith as a Response to Grace:

Faith itself is a response to God’s grace. When a person hears the gospel, the Holy Spirit, through grace, enables them to respond in faith. This is seen in passages like Acts 18:27, which speaks of those who "believed through grace." Grace initiates and sustains faith, making it possible for a person to trust in Christ for salvation.

3.3 Grace in the Perseverance of Faith:

The perseverance of the believer in faith is also sustained by grace. Philippians 1:6 declares, "being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." God’s grace ensures that the faith He has granted will continue to grow and endure until the end. This perseverance is not due to human strength but to the sustaining power of God’s grace.

4. The Transformative Power of Grace

4.1 Grace in Transformation and Renewal:

Grace is transformative. It not only justifies and forgives but also renews and changes the believer’s heart and life. Titus 2:11-12 teaches that "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." Grace leads to a life of righteousness, empowering believers to turn away from sin and pursue godliness.

4.2 Grace in Empowering Service:

Grace empowers believers for service in God’s kingdom. In 1 Corinthians 15:10, Paul says, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." Here, Paul acknowledges that all his efforts in ministry were empowered by God’s grace. Grace enables believers to serve God effectively, using their gifts for His glory.

4.3 Grace in Overcoming Sin:

Grace is the means by which believers overcome sin. Romans 6:14 declares, "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." Grace breaks the power of sin, enabling believers to live in freedom and victory. It is not a license to sin but the power to live a holy life, consistent with God’s will.

4.4 Grace in Enduring Trials:

Grace also empowers believers to endure trials and suffering. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, God tells Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." This shows that grace is not just for salvation but also for sustaining believers in difficult times. God’s grace provides the strength and comfort needed to persevere through hardships, with the assurance that His power is at work even in weakness.

5. Implications of Grace for the Christian Life

5.1 Humility in Response to Grace:

Grace fosters humility in the believer. Understanding that salvation is entirely by grace, not by works, removes any basis for boasting. Ephesians 2:9 emphasizes that salvation is "not of works, lest anyone should boast." Believers recognize that they have nothing to boast of except in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:31). This humility leads to a life of gratitude and worship, acknowledging God’s unmerited favor.

5.2 Gratitude as a Fruit of Grace:

Grace produces gratitude. Colossians 3:15 encourages believers to "be thankful," recognizing that everything they have, including their salvation, is a gift of grace. This gratitude is expressed in worship, service, and a life lived in response to God’s grace. It motivates believers to live in a way that honors the God who has shown them such incredible mercy and love.

5.3 Grace and Christian Freedom:

Grace brings freedom from the law and from the power of sin. Romans 6:14 teaches that "you are not under law but under grace." This freedom, however, is not a license to sin but an empowerment to live a life pleasing to God. Galatians 5:13 exhorts believers to use their freedom not as an opportunity for the flesh but to serve one another through love. Grace frees believers to live out the righteousness that God has imparted to them.

5.4 Grace in Community and Fellowship:

Grace also shapes how believers relate to one another within the Christian community. Colossians 3:13-14 instructs believers to bear with one another and forgive each other, just as they have been forgiven by God’s grace. Grace teaches believers to extend the same mercy and kindness they have received, fostering a community marked by love, forgiveness, and mutual support.

5.5 Grace and the Mission of the Church:

The mission of the Church is driven by grace. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) is a call to extend the grace of God to all nations, proclaiming the gospel and making disciples. The Church is a steward of God’s grace, called to share the message of salvation with the world. The motivation for evangelism and missions is rooted in the understanding that grace is freely given and must be freely shared.

6. The Assurance and Security of Grace

6.1 Assurance of Salvation:

Grace provides the assurance of salvation. Because salvation is by grace and not by works, believers can have confidence in their standing before God. Romans 8:38-39 assures believers that nothing can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus. This assurance is grounded in the knowledge that salvation is the work of God’s grace from beginning to end.

6.2 Security in Grace:

Grace also offers security in the believer’s relationship with God. Philippians 1:6 promises that "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." This security means that the grace that saves is also the grace that keeps. Believers can trust that God’s grace is sufficient to sustain them throughout their lives and bring them safely into His eternal presence.

6.3 The Hope of Glory:

Grace points believers to the hope of glory—the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise of eternal life. Titus 2:11-13 speaks of "the grace of God that brings salvation" and the "blessed hope" of the appearing of Jesus Christ. Grace assures believers that their future is secure, filled with the hope of resurrection and eternal life in the presence of God.

Conclusion

Biblical grace is the unmerited favor and active power of God at work in the lives of believers. It is the source of salvation, the means of sanctification, and the guarantee of glorification. Grace is entirely a work of God, from the initial act of saving sinners to the ongoing process of transforming them into the image of Christ. It is received through faith, sustained by God’s power, and produces a life of humility, gratitude, and service.

Grace empowers believers to overcome sin, endure trials, and live in freedom and holiness. It shapes the Christian community, motivates the Church’s mission, and provides the assurance and security of salvation. Understanding the depth and breadth of God’s grace leads to a life of worship, dependence on God, and a commitment to sharing the good news of His grace with the world. Grace is the heartbeat of the Christian faith, the foundation of all that God has done, is doing, and will do for His people.