The Grace of God

The grace of God is such a beautiful thing that God has given to us. What is God’s grace? Does God extend his grace to me without anything on my part? Do I receive grace by doing something that God requires of me? Some people believe that God’s grace requires nothing from them and that God’s grace is a blank check to be used without discretion. However, the Bible teaches something altogether different about God’s grace.

God’s grace is given unto all men and women. The Apostle Paul states that people are “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” Romans 3:24. Paul states in Ephesians 1:7 “In whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” Grace, by these definitions, is the justification of our souls by Christ’s redeeming blood that forgives sin. Although grace is made available to all, the Bible teaches that there is something required of us in order to receive this grace.

Paul taught Titus about grace when he stated “For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world” Titus 2:11-12. Notice the clear connection between grace, instruction, and action. God’s grace, which is free to all and has appeared to all, instructs us to do many things. God’s grace teaches us to deny ungodliness, refusing to do anything that is contrary to God’s law. God’s grace teaches us to also deny lusts that pull us into sin, James 1.14-15. His grace further instructs us to live soberly, free from any thing that pollutes the mind, righteously, obeying all the commands that God has given, and Godly, living our lives as God expects of us. God’s grace, although it is freely given, comes with many things expected of us in return.

Paul also states about grace; “For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8. God’s grace is how we are saved. However, saving grace only comes to a person “through faith”. The Bible teaches “So faith cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” Romans 10:17. Faith, which brings grace, only comes by hearing the word of Christ. James stated “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves” James 1:22. We must believe, have faith, and be “doers of the word” in order to receive this grace that God has made available unto all people. Without this we trick ourselves.

The Bible teaches that Christ is the “author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” Hebrews 5.9. We must follow the instructions that grace teaches us in order to be saved.

Saved by Works of Faith

What does the Bible teach about salvation? Are we saved by works, or by Faith? Many opinions exist on this topic. Many believe faith alone is what saves, while others believe we are saved by works. The Bible teaches that we are saved by both Faith and Works.

Paul stated in Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.” We are saved by God’s grace even though we deserve death (Romans 6.23). However, notice that there are two types of works mentioned in this verse. Paul says, “not of works”, and then states that we are “created in Christ Jesus for good works”. Paul is stating in this verse that we are not saved by works of merit which earn us heaven, but we are required to do good works that God prepared before the world began in order to be acceptable to him.

Peter stated the following about works in Acts 10:35 “But in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is acceptable to him.” What righteous works? Not those of our own choosing, but the ones that God prepared for us to do. We are not saved by faith alone, but by faith coupled with works. James teaches in James 2:24, “You see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith.” James also stated “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” James 2:14,17-18.

Paul stated in Titus 3:5 “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” Again the Apostle teaches that we do not earn heaven by doing works. However, he continues to say, “that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people”, Titus 3.8. “And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.” Titus 3:14

When the whole picture is put together we clearly see the teaching of God regarding salvation by works and faith. We cannot earn heaven by working. Heaven is not a paycheck. However, we must do the good works that God requires of us in order to be saved. Devoting ourselves to good works proves our faith, justifies us, is excellent and profitable, and makes us fruitful.

God's Wish For Repentance

The Apostle Peter tells us in his second book “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). This verse teaches us two very important things. First, this statement was made to a group of Christians with the aim of reminding them that God will remember the good works they had done in his name. The Hebrew writer likewise states in Hebrews 6:10 “For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do.” God has promised a home in heaven to all his faithful workers that obey his commands.

Second, this statement shows that God does not only wish to save those who obey him, but that He wishes to save everyone. God is “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance”. It is God’s desire that every person repent and humbly come to him for salvation. Without this repentance, however, salvation is not possible. Jesus stated, “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Unless every person repents of sin in their life, God says that they will perish. Even though God does not “wish” it to happen, people will perish because they refuse to repent.

The Apostle Paul stated in Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” God is willing to save everyone, and accepting the Gospel terms will bring this salvation. The Apostle Peter likewise stated, “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him” (Acts 10:34-35). In order to be acceptable to God and partake of His saving power found in the Gospel, every person must fear God and do the righteous works that God has commanded. The Old Testament prophet Solomon stated the same words when he said “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12.13).

Salvation is made available to every person. Paul stated “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people” (Titus 2:11). Every person that does what God requires in order to be saved will have the promise of salvation. Are you saved? Have you obeyed the commands given to us by God? Jesus stated, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

Through study of the Bible we can learn to obey God in all things, and receive the home of Heaven.