8.22 Grace is unearned, undeserved and unmerited favor from God

Did we as sinners deserve to receive this free gift of righteousness? Absolutely no! We received what we did not deserve. This is called grace. Grace is defined as undeserved, unearned and unmerited favor. If we had earned it by the works of the law, we wouldn’t need grace. If we deserved it, it wouldn’t be called grace. It would be accounted for as debt – as something due to us (Rom 4:4).

(Romans 4:4)
Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

Sometimes, we hear people say, “That person doesn’t deserve the grace of God.” It is precisely because the person doesn’t deserve grace that he qualifies for it. When we receive something that we don’t deserve, we respond by saying, “Thank you.” This explains why the Christian life is one of thanksgiving (Eph 5:20).

Can we try to earn God’s grace through works of the law? Can we balance things out and try to mix grace with law. Can the two go hand in hand? We have to be clear. So let us see what the Bible says.

(Romans 11:6)
And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

Grace may be free for us but it is not free. Jesus had to pay the price with His life and His blood. He paid for it fully, when He cried, “It is finished.” So grace it is priceless. We respond with thanksgiving. We appreciate it even more.

Grace is the basis of Christianity. It is the basis of our relationship with God. It is the basis of the New Covenant in Christ. It is the basis of the gospel – called the gospel of grace. It should be the driving force in our lives. We live in the dispensation of grace. Even the Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of grace.

Because it is so important, Satan tries to prevent people from understanding it. Because it flows so freely from the cross, sometimes people take it for granted. Yet others despise it because they would rather earn their standing with God through self-performance. Many have not realized its importance. But grace is a powerful force to those who understand it. Grace is Jesus.

I was re-reading the Epistles of Paul over the last few days – this time trying to sense the spirit in which the apostles wrote the epistles. Paul would consistently start as well as end his epistles by proclaiming the grace of God upon its readers (Rom 1:5, 16:20; 1 Cor 1:3, 16:23; 2 Cor 1:2, 13:14; Gal 1:3, 6:18; Eph 1:2, 6:24; Phil 1:2, 4:23; Col 1:2, 4:18; 1 Thes 1:1, 5:28; 2 Thes 1:2, 3:18; 1 Tim 1:2, 6:20; 2 Tim 1:2, 4:22; Tit 1:4, 3:15; Philemon 3 & 25). Even Peter does the same (1 Pet 1:2, 5:12; 2 Pet 1:2, 3:18).