Understanding God's Grace

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Understanding the Grace of God

Do you ever feel as if you need to do things to earn God’s love? Are you constantly finding yourself falling short when it comes to walking in His ways? Do you fear that you’ll never measure up?

All too often, we get caught up in the need for perfection, and this desire or need to be perfect can prevent us from becoming all we were created to be, not to mention it’s exhausting and soul-crushing. I can’t tell you how many women (including me) will resist trying something new for fear of not being good enough. But I’ve got some great news to share — we do not have to be perfect because we are imperfect women loved by a perfect God! We are not chosen or called because we are faultless. We are chosen because God loves us!

If we desire to grow spiritually and embrace all God has for us, we must know and accept His amazing grace.

Grace is not about what we do but about Who He is

“But if it is by grace [God’s unmerited favor], it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace [it would not be a gift but a reward for works].” Romans 11:6 AMP

God’s favor to us, His grace, is a gift. Sometimes we forget that fact and turn to the idea that we must do or say the right things to earn His love. And if we fall short, we are unworthy of His grace or love. Thank goodness this is far from the truth. God’s love is not based on our actions. His love is based solely on His grace.

What is grace? Grace is unmerited favor. We cannot earn grace because it is given freely to us. God gives grace with no expectations attached. To think otherwise is to reduce God’s grace to a simple reward for our good deeds, which dismisses the depth of what grace truly is. Titus 3:4-6 reminds us that God did not save us from our sins because of anything we did that might be considered “righteous,” but only because of His mercy and compassion toward us.

“But when the goodness and kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared [in human form as the Man, Jesus Christ], He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we have done, but because of His own compassion and mercy, by the cleansing of the new birth (spiritual transformation, regeneration) and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior,” Titus 3:4-6 AMP

Grace is not about what we do. Grace is about God Himself and His character. God looks beyond our flaws and sinfulness to our most profound need for His love and mercy. It is out of that love that He extends grace and mercy toward us.

Grace is a gift to be treasured

In Romans Chapter 6, verses 1-3, Paul explains to the church what grace is and what it is not,

“What shall we say [to all this]? Should we continue in sin and practice sin as a habit so that [God’s gift of] grace may increase and overflow? Certainly not! How can we, the very ones who died to sin, continue to live in it any longer? Or are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” Romans 6:1-3 AMP

Paul passionately shares in his letter to the Roman believers that our new life in Christ releases us from the power of sin over us. We are forgiven, transformed, and made new! We are no longer living in sin but are to walk in obedience to God. What a beautiful gift God has given to us. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable, overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 AMP

We each have been offered a remarkable gift of grace. And through God’s grace, given to us freely, we are encouraged to live our lives as a beautiful reflection of Christ. Paul encouraged the believers to live a righteous life free of sin, and we, too, are called to live righteously.

Grace and works

While we recognize that grace is an unearned favor, and there is nothing we can do to earn it, we do have a responsibility to submit to God’s will and walk in obedience. You see, God’s grace does not grant us immunity from living holy lives.

Although there is a distinction between grace and our good works, in reality, they go hand in hand. God’s grace is freely offered, but it does not exempt us from the need to live in obedience. Why is this important?

“What is the benefit, my fellow believers, if someone claims to have faith but has no [good] works [as evidence]? Can that [kind of] faith save him? [No, a mere claim of faith is not sufficient—genuine faith produces good works.]” James 2:14 AMP

James 2:14 questions the benefit of having faith without there being evidence of faith through good works. The Holman Study Bible for Women states, “works are outward manifestations of a right relationship with God expressed in relationships with others.” In other words, we may commit ourselves to Jesus Christ, but if we continue through life in a negligent, sinful manner without any love for those around us, we do not have genuine faith. However, if we live out genuine faith through our words and deeds, serving those around us, our sincere faith will produce good works.

Jesus Himself said in Matthew 7 that we could recognize a tree’s quality by its fruit, whether good or bad. Therefore, our lives must reflect the One whom we claim to follow. Our good works do not save us. We are saved to do good works, to serve out of love.

This week, I encourage you to lean into God’s amazing grace and accept His unconditional love.

“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] [a]only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 AMP

I believe. Do you?

Who You Say I Am

Who am I that the highest King Would welcome me?

I was lost, but He brought me in

Oh His love for me

Who the Son sets free

Oh, is free indeed

I’m a child of God, yes, I am

Free at last, He has ransomed me

His grace runs deep

While I was a slave to sin, Jesus died for me

Yes, He died for me