Grace

Grace is God’s, no-strings-attached love (Romans 3:24). It is unconditional (Ephesians 2:8–9), undeserved (Titus 3:5), and unlimited (Romans 5:20). It comes at no cost to us but at great sacrifice to the giver. Grace (Ephesians 2:8), gift (Romans 6:23), and joy (Luke 2:10) all share the same Greek root word. Knowing that grace is a gift brings about true joy.

Grace is not an enabling power to help us do things to gain God’s favor. Instead, grace is God’s favor already won for us by Jesus’ saving work. Combining grace with works is an insult to the giver and results in losing grace (Galatians 5:4). “If by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work” (Romans 11:6). Grace motivates Christians to do good works because they are now confident of salvation.