The scriptures plainly teach that we are saved by the grace of God. Grace means something similar to a favor or kindness rendered to another. Often in our own lives, someone will do something for us and we “return the favor.” In the case of God’s saving us by His grace, the favor He renders us is unmerited. He is not returning us a favor but doing something for humanity wholly out of His love for us. Little do we realize the depth of God’s grace toward us. Let us consider these thoughts from scripture.
God’s grace is rich toward us in that He loved us before we loved Him. In fact, God enables us to love! “...love is from God.” We would not know love except God showed us what love is and enables us to love Him and one another. (1 John 4:7-8, 19)
God’s grace is rich toward us through the power of the cross. Jesus said: “And I, if I am lifted up f rom the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” (John 12:32) When the message of the cross is told to people - that God Himself was suffered death by crucifixion to save humanity - it resonates in the heart. It has great power and appeal. True, people can turn away, but there is still an attraction there.
God’s grace is rich toward us by the power He has provided to work in us by the Holy Spirit. Paul speaks of our being “strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man” and God’s being “able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.” (Ephesians 3:16, 20) At baptism, believers receive the gift of the Spirit, and He begins to transform us into the image of the Son and to empower us to do God’s will. Christians are tapped into a divine source of power!
The Spirit of God is also active in leading the Christian in his/her daily walk (Romans 8:12-14), and He helps in our weakness by interceding for the saints in our prayers (Romans 8:26-27). The work of the Spirit is wide-ranging and never ending.
We are truly saved by grace, from our initial obedience and on throughout our daily walk. Thanks be to God!