Ephesians 2:4-5, Romans 5:6-8, 2 Corinthians 9:8
The Most Distinctive Word in Christianity
No word more clearly separates biblical Christianity from every other religion and philosophy than grace. Every other system of thought — religious or secular — operates on the principle of merit: you get what you deserve, you earn what you receive, your standing is determined by your performance.
Grace says the opposite.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved. — Ephesians 2:4-5
Grace is God acting in love toward people who deserve the opposite. It is unmerited favour — kindness extended not because the recipient has earned it but because the giver chooses to give it freely.
What Grace Is Not
Grace is often confused with several things it is not:
Grace is not leniency. A lenient judge simply overlooks wrongdoing. Grace does not overlook sin — it deals with sin fully and finally through the cross of Christ. God's grace is not soft on sin; it is the means by which sin's penalty was paid and its power broken.
Grace is not tolerance. Grace does not mean God accepts everyone regardless of their response to the gospel. Grace must be received through faith — it is freely offered to all, but it does not automatically save those who reject it.
Grace is not a reward for the almost-good-enough. Grace is not given to those who are mostly righteous and just need a top-up. It is given to the dead, the guilty, and the helpless (Romans 5:6-8).
The Biblical Range of Grace
The Greek word charis — grace — carries several related meanings throughout the New Testament:
- **Unmerited favour** — God's attitude of goodwill toward sinners that is the source of salvation
- **The act of giving freely** — grace as a gift, something given without charge
- **Empowering presence** — grace as the active power of God at work in a believer's life (1 Corinthians 15:10)
- **Thanksgiving** — the natural response to grace received (the word "gratitude" comes from the same root)
Grace From Beginning to End
Salvation is by grace from start to finish. Election is by grace — God chose His people not because of anything He foresaw in them (Romans 9:11). Calling is by grace — the Holy Spirit draws sinners to Christ. Justification is by grace — we are declared righteous as a free gift. Sanctification is by grace — God works in us to will and to work. Glorification is by grace — God will complete what He began.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. — 2 Corinthians 9:8