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What Does the Bible Say About Grace? – Viral Believer
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What Does the Bible Say About Grace?

As Christians, the concept of grace is central to our faith. It is a concept that we hear often and perhaps even take for granted. But what does the Bible say about grace?

How is it defined, and what role does it play in our salvation? In this blog post, we will explore what grace is, where it appears in the Bible, its practical implications for our lives as Christians, and the misconceptions surrounding it.

Grace is often referred to as the unmerited favor of God. It is something that we cannot earn or deserve but is given freely through faith in Jesus Christ. Understanding grace is essential to our faith as it is what saves us from our sins and reconciles us with God.

Grace is not just a one-time event that happens when we are saved but is a daily reality for Christians. It has the power to transform us from the inside out and gives us hope for the future.

Despite the significance of grace in our faith, there are several misconceptions surrounding it that can hinder our understanding of this important concept. These misconceptions include the idea that grace is a license to sin, that it is only for the “chosen few,” or that it is only for the “good” people.

It is important to understand these misconceptions and embrace the truth about grace to live a life of grace as Christians. In the following sections, we will explore what the Bible says about grace and its practical implications for our lives as Christians.

grace in the Bible

Definition of Grace

Grace is a word that comes from the Greek word “charis” and is defined as the unmerited favor of God. It is something that is given freely, without us having to earn it or deserve it.

The Bible says in Ephesians 2:8-9 that “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” This means that we are saved not because of anything we have done, but because of the grace of God.

Grace is the manifestation of God’s love towards humankind. God’s love is unconditional, and it does not depend on our performance or how well we follow His commands. Grace is the way that God shows His love to us, even when we do not deserve it.

In John 3:16, it says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This means that God’s grace towards us is manifested in the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Grace is also a transformative force in our lives. It changes our hearts and makes us more like Jesus. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, it says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

This means that through the grace of God, we can become new creations, and our lives can be transformed.

Grace in the Old Testament

Grace is not just a New Testament concept. It is also present in the Old Testament. Throughout the Old Testament, we see examples of God’s grace towards his people. One such example is the story of Noah and the ark.

In Genesis 6:8, it says, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” This means that God chose to show Noah favor, even though the rest of the world was wicked.

Another example of grace in the Old Testament is the story of Joseph and his brothers. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph says to his brothers, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

This means that God used the evil intentions of Joseph’s brothers to bring about good and save many people.

We can also see God’s grace in the story of Moses and the Israelites. Even though they rebelled against God time and time again, He chose to show them mercy and lead them out of Egypt into the promised land. This is a clear example of how God’s grace works, even when we are undeserving.

Grace in the New Testament

Grace is also a central theme in the New Testament. In the life and teachings of Jesus, we see the ultimate example of grace. He came to earth to die for our sins, even though we did not deserve it.

In John 1:14, it says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” Jesus was full of grace, and through Him, we can receive the grace of God.

Paul also talks about grace extensively

in his letters. In Romans 3:23-24, it says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” This means that we are all sinners and fall short of God’s glory, but through Christ, we can be justified freely by His grace.

In Ephesians 1:7, it says, “In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” This means that our salvation and forgiveness of sins come from God’s grace through Jesus Christ.

Grace is not just something that happens when we are saved. It is also a daily reality for Christians. In Hebrews 4:16, it says, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

This means that we can come to God’s throne of grace every day and receive the grace that we need to live our lives as Christians.

Benefits of Grace

Grace has practical implications for our lives as Christians. Here are some of the benefits of grace:

  • Forgiveness of sins: Through grace, we can receive forgiveness for our sins, no matter how big or small they are. In 1 John 1:9, it says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
  • Salvation: We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not something we can earn or deserve. In Romans 6:23, it says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
  • Reconciliation with God: Through grace, we can be reconciled to God and have a relationship with Him. In 2 Corinthians 5:18, it says, “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”
  • Transformation of character: Grace has the power to transform us from the inside out. It changes our hearts and makes us more like Jesus. In Philippians 2:13, it says, “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
  • Hope for the future: Through grace, we have hope for the future. We know that no matter what happens in this life, we have the assurance of eternal life with God. In Titus 2:13, it says, “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Misconceptions about Grace

Unfortunately, there are several misconceptions about grace that can hinder our understanding of this important concept. Here are some of the most common misconceptions:

  • Grace is a license to sin: Some people think that because we are saved by grace, we can continue to sin without consequence. However, this is not true. The Bible says in Romans 6:1-2, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” Grace does not give us the freedom to sin but instead gives us the power to overcome sin.
  • Grace is only for the “chosen few”: Some people believe that grace is only for a select few who are chosen by God. However, the Bible says in 1 Timothy 2:4, “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” This means that God’s grace is available to everyone and not just a chosen few.
  • Grace is only for the “good” people: Some people think that grace is only for those who are good and righteous. However, the Bible says in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This means that God’s grace is available to everyone, regardless of their past. We do not have to be good or righteous to receive God’s grace. It is given freely to all who believe in Jesus Christ.
  • Grace is a one-time event: Some people think that grace is something that happens only once when we are saved. However, the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.'” This means that God’s grace is ongoing and available to us every day. We need God’s grace every day to overcome the challenges of life and to become more like Jesus.
  • Grace is not necessary for Christians: Some people think that once we become Christians, we no longer need grace. However, the Bible says in Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” This means that we still need God’s grace every day, even after we become Christians.

Conclusion

In conclusion, grace is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith. It is the unmerited favor of God, given freely to us through faith in Jesus Christ. As Christians, we can see examples of grace throughout the Bible, from the Old Testament to the New Testament.

It has practical implications for our lives, including forgiveness of sins, salvation, reconciliation with God, a transformation of character, and hope for the future.

It is essential to understand the misconceptions surrounding grace, as they can hinder our understanding of this important concept. Grace is not a license to sin, nor is it only for a chosen few or for the “good” people. It is a daily reality for Christians and gives us the power to overcome sin and live a life of grace.

As Christians, we are called to extend the same grace that we have received to others. We can do this by loving others unconditionally, forgiving others as we have been forgiven, and showing kindness to all, even those who do not deserve it.

May God’s grace be with us as we continue to live a life of grace, extending the same grace that we have received to others.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.