How knowledgeable are you about grace? Grace is not complicated. Grace is simple yet powerful. There are four essential things you need to know about grace. Here’s grace 101 for you.

First of all, we are saved by grace through faith. God’s grace is a free gift to us. All we need to do is to turn to God in repentance and ask to receive grace upon grace. Everything is ready for us. There’s nothing for us to do but open our hearts and minds to receive God’s goodness.

 For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.] (Eph. 2:8-9, AMP,*)

The second thing to know about grace is that there’s nothing we can add to it. We are saved only by grace. There’s nothing we can do to make it better or last longer. Grace is more than enough. And we don’t need anything but grace.

But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! (2. Cor. 12:9, AMP,*) 

The third thing we need to know that there’s always plenty of grace, also today. They are new every morning. Because of this amazing grace, we can live boldly. Because of this amazing grace, we can live abundant lives even in deserts. Because of this amazing grace we praise God all the days of our lives.

It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not.They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23, AMP,*)

The fourth thing we need to know about grace is that grace is pardon AND power. When we live in grace, we also learn to live to the max. Grace not only saves us but equips us and empowers us for victorious living. Nothing better than grace.

 

Gracious God,
Thank you for your grace,
today and always.
Pour out grace upon grace,
we so need it.
We receive it with open arms.
Teach us to live and love in grace.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: How do you put Grace 101 in practice?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you embrace grace day by day!

Photo courtesy of John Langer, design Mari-Anna Stålnacke. This post is refurbished from 2011. Linking up today with Sharing His Beauty, Unforced Rhythms, Playdates with God. Counting blessings: #1137 Grace is enough. #1138 There’s grace today. #1139 There’s always enough grace.