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One of the great defining attributes of God is His grace. God blesses us even though we in no way deserve His blessings and could in no way earn them. Grace is God’s unmerited favor.

 

Grace is a constant theme in the Bible, and it culminates in the New Testament with the coming of Jesus (John 1:17). The word translated "grace" in the New Testament comes from the Greek word charis, which means “favor, blessing, or kindness.”

 

We can all extend grace to others; but when the word grace is used in connection with God, it takes on a more powerful meaning. Grace is God choosing to bless us rather than curse us as our sin deserves. It is His benevolence to the undeserving.

 

We see God’s grace at work in many ways. He is gracious not only to those who honor Him, but to all mankind.

 

Titus 2:11 says “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.”

 

We see God’s grace in every good gift around us – the sunshine and rain, food and friendships, comforts, joys and countless blessings every day.

 

But not everyone responds to God’s grace. In fact, Isaiah 26:10 tells us “Though grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil.”

 

God’s grace isn’t based on our response but on His changeless character. He is constantly and consistently gracious.

 

Friend, think about it for a moment. If it weren’t for the grace of God, none of us would be granted even a nanosecond to turn from our sins. Our sins deserve God’s immediate wrath.

 

But because God is a God of grace, He provides us with the opportunity to repent and be restored to full fellowship with Him.

 

God’s grace also provides the means of forgiveness – the death of His own Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus paid the price for our sins, that is, He redeemed us.

 

According to Ephesians 1:7 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

 

Because God is gracious to us, He redeemed us through Jesus’ death on the cross.

 

Our salvation is purely an act of God’s grace. As Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

 

The only way any of us can enter into a relationship with God is because of His grace toward us. Grace began in the Garden of Eden when God killed an animal to cover the sin of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21). He could have killed the first humans right then for their disobedience.

 

But rather than destroy them, He chose to make a way for them to be right with Him. That pattern of grace continued throughout the Old Testament when God instituted blood sacrifices as a means to atone for sinful men.

 

It was not the physical blood of those sacrifices, per se, that cleansed sinners; it was the grace of God that forgave those who trusted in Him (Hebrews 10:4; Genesis 15:6). Sinful men showed their faith by offering the sacrifices that God required.

 

Romans 3:23-24 puts it this way “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”

 

Because God is a God of grace, we can be saved forever from our sins and their consequences.

 

God’s grace doesn’t end with our salvation. John 1:16 says “From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.” We are the blessed recipients of God’s endless grace.

God shows both mercy and grace, but they are not the same. Mercy withholds a punishment we deserve; grace gives a blessing we don’t deserve.

 

In mercy, God chose to cancel our sin debt by sacrificing His perfect Son in our place (Titus 3:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21). But He goes even further than mercy and extends grace to His enemies (Romans 5:10).

 

Because God is a God of grace, we can receive His gracious gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Have you received God’s Son into your life? Why not accept the grace that He offers you today?

 

He offers us forgiveness (Hebrews 8:12; Ephesians 1:7), reconciliation (Colossians 1:19-20), abundant life (John 10:10), eternal treasure (Luke 12:33), His Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13), and a place in heaven with Him some day (John 3:16-18) when we accept His offer and place our faith in His sacrifice.

 

Then, when you’ve received God’s grace, learn to be gracious to those around you. Let grace characterize your hearts

 

Grace is God giving the greatest treasure to the least deserving—which is every one of us.

 

Have you received Jesus into your life?

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If so, thank Him for His goodness today.

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If you have never received the Lord Jesus into your life and never had your sins forgiven, will you trust Him today? Contact me if you want to talk more about this at pastorprbedford@gmail.com 

 

Have you made a decision for Christ because of what you have read here? If so, please contact me so I can pray for you and help you in your new lifes journey.

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