More often than not, in Christian gatherings and ceremonies, after the closing prayer comes the grace. When we are asked questions that we have no definite answer to, we go for the default ‘by God’s grace’. And why does Apostle Paul keep mentioning the grace of God? The bible even lets us know that the people of the old testament longed to have it. They wished that it would have been granted in their time [1 Peter 1: 10-13]. So, what exactly is spectacular about grace? What exactly does it mean?  

The grace of God is an undeserved gift of God. It is very important to us as Christians because it is the origination of our salvation. “The grace of God has appeared bringing salvation for all people” [Titus 2:11]. The bible makes it clear to us that we are saved by the undeserved grace of God. Undeserved because, we did not receive it as a result of our works or righteousness but because of God’s love for us.

The first and foremost advantage of the grace of God is that it brought us justification. Justification is to be declared free of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God. This is a status that man can do absolutely nothing to attain. Regardless, by the grace of God we have been justified in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:24 says “but all are treated as righteous freely by His grace because of a ransom that was paid by Christ Jesus”. Formerly, just the guilt of our sin was enough to suffer us. It was enough to create a sort of limit to our access to God. But we have now been declared free of that guilt. Little wonder why Hebrews 4:16 KJV says “let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help [us] in time of need”. Now we boldly approach God and are enabled to stand before Him because we have been justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ!

God’s grace also brings to us salvaton. “But God shows His love for us, because while we were still sinners Christ died for us” [Romans 5:8]. That God looked down upon A world full of sinners and came down in His fullness to die and liberate salvation to us, can be summarized into one word, “Grace“. We were and still are very much undeserving of God’s salvation. We didn’t possess it previously but by His grace (through our faith in the finished works of Christ) we have now received it. We now claim salvation because of the grace of God. In Ephesians 2:8 CEB the bible says that “you are saved by God’s grace because of your faith. This salvation is God’s gift. It’s not something you possessed”.  

The ability to live righteously (that is, in right standing with God) is not attainable by human effort. And I think you’d have guessed by now that it is only by grace that we attain it. It is this freely given gift of God that transforms our lives and enables us to live as God wants us to. Titus 2: 11-12 AMP says “for the remarkable undeserved grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly (immoral) desires, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives with a purpose that reflect spiritual maturity in this present age”. We are no longer enslaved to sin. It is right there in Romans 6: 14 “for sin will no longer be a master over you, since you are not under Law but under grace”.

Feeling defeated? Take courage in 2 Timothy 2:1 AMP which says “so you, my son, be strong (constantly strengthened) and empowered in the grace that is to be found only in Christ Jesus”. There is empowerment in God’s grace yet it is not limited to that. There is also sufficiency in His grace. In 2 Corinthians we see where Paul tells us of God’s reply to his prayers. God told him “my grace is sufficient for you”. Again, 2 Corinthians 9:8 says that “God has the power to provide you with more than enough of every kind of grace. That way, you will have everything you need always and in everything to provide more than enough for every kind of good work”. The grace of God has so many benefits to it and guess what? It is irrevocable. The bible lets us know that God does not withdraw his gifts. “For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable” [Romans 11:29 AMP].

To everything that has pros there’s got to be at least a con right?  But what if I tell you that grace has no con to it. It, as a matter of fact, has no disadvantage. The grace of God is such a lovely gift! It is the most important gift of God. No wonder Apostle Paul always made mention of it at the beginning and end of his letters. The bible even ends with it. In fact, the entire bible is centered on the grace of God. However, because the grace of God came through Jesus (John 1: 17), we can also only receive it through Him. For anyone seeking God’s grace for any reason at all, you must first give your life to Christ. “Grace abounds fully with all its perks to those who are for Jesus”.