Grace

Ephesians 2:8-9

 

Grace refers to "God's free and unmerited favor." It is God freely bestowing His goodness to people who deserve only punishment. God is in no way obligated to show kindness and mercy to anyone - least of all those who have rebelled against His rule. We are completely unable to earn any merit from God; we stand condemned in the courtroom of God's justice. 

 

Yet God resolves to extend mercy and favor to us in spite of our guilt. It is this grace that is the source of our salvation and characterizes what Christ has done for us. Because we are saved "by grace" alone, we can never earn our salvation or contribute anything to it. For all eternity, God alone will receive the glory and credit for graciously giving to us what we could never merit on our own. 

 

God's grace points to his holy love, a love that paid the ultimate sacrifice for the utterly undeserving - you and me. As John Newton wrote so well:

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, That sav’d a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.

 

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears reliev’d;

How precious did that grace appear, The hour I first believ’d!

 

Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;

’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.

 

The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures;

He will my shield and portion be, As long as life endures.

 

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease;

I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace.

 

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine;

But God, who call’d me here below, Will be forever mine. 

 

 

Mariam. (Mama Joe)

Grace is the heavenly resource behind all of God's promises.
Faith is the simple means of accessing that grace

...............................................