Scripture Focus
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.
A Foundation Built on Grace
Grace is the bedrock of the Christian life. Without it, we would still be trying to earn our salvation—striving, performing, and always falling short. But the truth of God’s grace changes everything. It reorients our understanding of who God is, who we are, and how we live each day. Ephesians 2:8–9 cuts through every illusion of self-reliance and reminds us that salvation is not a prize for the worthy but a gift for the believing.
These verses stand at the heart of the gospel. They speak to the unearned, undeserved, and lavish kindness of God toward sinners. Grace is not a reward; it’s a lifeline. It’s not payment for effort; it’s mercy for the broken. A mercy God grants to each of us (the broken) freely.
What Grace Is—and Isn’t
In our culture, it’s easy to confuse grace with niceness, leniency, or a vague sense of goodwill. But biblical grace goes deeper. It’s not just God being kind—it’s God giving us what we could never deserve: forgiveness, acceptance, new life, and a place in His eternal kingdom.
Titus 3:5–7 NKJV elaborates on this:
“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing and regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
In other words, grace is God’s initiative, not ours. Salvation is a work of God’s love and mercy. It’s not based on human merit or good works. Jesus is the means by which God’s love and salvation are made available to us. Through God’s grace, we are declared righteous and given the secure hope of eternal life as His heirs.
This is God’s plan for salvation and it’s a gift from God, received by faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The result is the transformation of a person’s life and a secure eternal future.
Why We Struggle with Grace
Despite how beautiful this truth is, many of us struggle to fully receive it. Why?
Because grace goes against everything the world teaches us. From a young age, we’re taught to earn rewards, prove our worth, and achieve success. We are praised for good grades, promotions, and accomplishments. But grace says: “You can’t earn this—and you don’t have to.”
This can be unsettling. We’d often rather rely on our spiritual “to-do” lists—praying more, reading more, serving more—as if these can somehow guarantee God’s favor. But grace doesn’t operate on merit. As Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV reminds us:
“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.”
The very act of trying to earn God’s grace shows our spiritual bankruptcy and our deep, desperate need for a salvation that comes as a pure, unmerited gift from God.
The Gift That Transforms
Grace doesn’t leave us where it finds us. It saves us, yes—but it also shapes us. It teaches, trains, and transforms.
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age...
— Titus 2:11–12 NKJV
When we receive God’s grace, it begins a lifelong work in us. We stop performing to be accepted and start obeying because we are loved. Grace empowers us to pursue holiness not out of guilt but out of gratitude.
This transformation isn’t always dramatic or instant. Sometimes, grace looks like getting up again after failure. Other times, it means releasing guilt we’ve carried for far too long. In all things, grace whispers: You belong to Me, and nothing can change that.
Grace in Our Everyday Lives
Understanding grace is one thing—living in it is another. The truth is, we all have moments when we feel like we’re not enough. Whether it’s falling short in relationships, struggling with anxiety, or wrestling with spiritual dryness, it’s easy to believe that we’ve somehow disappointed God.
But grace says otherwise.
Romans 5:1–2 NKJV gives us this assurance:
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
Peace with God. Not because we’ve done everything right, but because Christ has. This peace is not fragile. It holds steady in our weakness, our confusion, and even our doubt.
Living in grace means allowing this peace to settle deep into our hearts. It means starting our day not with a checklist, but with a reminder: I am saved by grace.
Extending Grace to Others
Grace, when truly received, always overflows.
When we understand the depth of God’s mercy toward us, we become merciful. When we realize how patient He is with our shortcomings, we grow in patience with others. Grace is not just a truth to receive—it’s a way to live.
Colossians 3:12–13 NKJV says:
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”
Forgiving others, serving in love, and showing kindness to those who don’t deserve it is grace in motion. This is how the gospel becomes visible in a world desperate for hope.
Living Grace-Filled: A Reflection Exercise
Take a moment to reflect on this simple but powerful truth: You are saved by grace.
Now ask yourself:
• Where am I still trying to earn God’s approval?
• What areas of my life need the reminder that I am already accepted?
• Who in my life needs to experience grace through me?
Write down one area where you feel you’re “not enough.” Then beside it, write: God’s grace is enough. Let this be your reminder today.
Grace as Our Anchor
In life’s storms—when we fall, fail, or feel forgotten—grace remains the anchor. Not because we hold tightly to God, but because He holds tightly to us.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV offers this beautiful promise:
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
There will be days when we don’t feel strong. Days when faith feels small. But God’s grace is not dependent on our strength—it flows strongest when we are weakest. When we feel unworthy, grace reminds us that Christ is our worth.
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the incredible gift of Your grace. Thank You that I do not have to earn Your love—it is freely given. Help me to live each day resting in Your mercy, not striving for perfection but trusting in Your promise. When I stumble, remind me that Your grace is sufficient. And help me to extend that same grace to others, reflecting Your love in my words and actions.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Free Resource
I created a free resource that goes with this blog post. It's two printable pages (or use them in GoodNotes or another PDF annotation app).
You'll learn:
- Why grace is completely undeserved and yet freely given
- How grace is rooted in God's unchanging character
- The role of Jesus Christ in revealing and making grace possible, and more!
You can find this free resource in my Gumroad shop!
Looking Ahead
Grace is just the beginning. It is the foundation upon which all other truths rest—joy, peace, strength, and hope. As we continue this journey together, we’ll explore these truths one by one.
For now, take a moment to pause and give thanks for His grace. Let it be the truth that carries you forward today and every day.
Have you seen God’s grace in your life recently? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear your story.
God bless,
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