What is God's Grace?

When you think of the word grace, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Some believe that grace is solely about receiving material and tangible things, but grace is much more than that.  According to the Oxford English Dictionary, grace is a quality of God; benevolence towards humanity, bestowed freely and without regard to merit, and which manifests in the giving of blessings and granting of salvation (free grace).  (Oxford English Dictionary, 2025)
Mac Owen, believer in Christ and a National Celebrate Recovery leader defied grace like this:

G – God’s
R - Riches
A - At
C – Christ’s
E – Expense

The Bible says that grace is a gift from God that we cannot take credit for (Ephesians 2:8).  The Bible also states that salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none can boast (Ephesians 2:9).  We could never do enough to earn the salvation of God.  God’s salvation is the most valuable gift you could ever receive, with the best benefits you could ever imagine.  This is saving grace.

The Bible tells us in Titus that the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people (Titus 2:11)  We are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures; instead, we should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God. (Titus 2:12).  A great way to do this is to make a choice to be imitators of Jesus Christ.  The word “Christian” means Christ like.  When we make a choice to display grace each time we have the opportunity to do so, we are making a choice to be more Christ like.  God is gracious toward us every single day that we live because of the price that Jesus paid on the cross.  The Bible tells us to confess our sins to God, and when we do, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (1 John 1:19) God gives us all every opportunity possible to turn to Him and confess Jesus is Lord, because He does not want us to perish. (2 Peter 3:9)  This is sanctifying grace.

Lastly, in one of the most well-known passages of scripture, the Apostle Paul speaks of a “thorn in his side” that he asked the Lord to take away.  Each time, the Lord said to Paul, “My grace is all you need.  My power works best in weakness.”  (2 Corinthians 12:9a) The Apostle Paul went on to say that he would therefore be glad to boast about his weaknesses, so that the power of Christ could work through him. (2 Corinthians 12:9b) During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He told His disciples that people will know you belong to me by the love you show one to another. (John 13:35) If we make a decision to live for God and to hold fast to the instructions of His Word, then we can extend the grace to others that God so freely gives to us.  We have a wonderful Heavenly father that wants to empower us to follow His perfect will for our lives.  The Word says that God will supply all that we need according to His riches in glory, by Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:19)  This is sufficient grace.

May we all be a living example of what God’s grace truly looks like.

References
Biblica, Inc. (1984, 2011). The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Harper Collins Publishers.

Crossway. (2001). The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version). Good News Publishers.

Oxford English Dictionary. (2025, September). Grace. Retrieved from OED Oxford English Dictionary Grace: https://www.oed.com/dictionary/grace_n?tl=true

Tyndale House Foundation. (1996, 2004, 2015). Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Carol Stream, Illinois. All rights reserved.: Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.