Basic Training: Grace
Our first post of the cornerstone series was entitled “Faith.” This post, as a natural progression, is about the Grace of God.
The word most commonly used for “grace” in the Greek is “charis.” It’s most literal interpretation is “Unmerited favor (good will and loving kindness) from God.” The basic idea is that God gives us things because of our relationship with Jesus that we could never earn or deserve, but that these things are free gifts.
Ephesians 2:4-5 says “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” As you can see, you’re saved by Grace, and not by going to church or doing the right thing or being a good person. It is only by the free gift of God that we can call ourselves his children. This verse could just as easily say “It is by God’s unmerited favor that you have been saved.”
In Ephesians 1:7, Paul says “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” This verse tells us that we have been redeemed by the Grace of God. The word “redemption” in this verse is “apolytr?sis” in the greek, and it literally means “a release effected by the payment of ransom.” In other words, Jesus has paid the price in order for you to be released of your debt to God incurred because of your sinful nature. That’s powerful stuff.
Ephesians 2:8 sums it up nicely: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
The beauty of salvation, and the thing that makes it so valuable, is that you could never have earned it in a million years, even if you did your best to do good deeds every day of your life. It’s only by the free gift of God, bought and paid for by Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross, that you are able to be saved. When the bible talks about works, it’s talking about the things that you do. A more practical interpretation of this verse might read “You are saved by grace, which is accessible to you by faith-and it is a free gift from God-it’s not something that you can earn by doing good deeds, otherwise you would be able to brag.”
The Grace is good for more than just your salvation. Check out these other verses and leave a comment telling me what other cool stuff God’s grace is used for:
Ephesians 3:7
Ephesians 4:7-12
Romans 12:6
When you’re ready for a little bit more on the subject, read this article.
Then, check out the other Basic Training Articles:
Basic Training: Sanctification
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February 14th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Ephesians 3:7 is saying that he was not the best of men but he still earned gods forgiveness and in all the things he did god still gave him his salvation.
Ephesians 4:7-12 confused me a little but i think it means that if you listen to god and do as he says grace will be given 2 you.
Romans 12:6 is saying that if god gives you grace you should not be denied the right to practice what has been given to you.
February 14th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
You’re getting better at this.
Ephesians 3:7 basically tells us that Paul became a servant of the Gospel (an Apostle) through the grace of God. The grace is what sets us apart and equips us for ministry.
Ephesians 4 is all about the grace of God equipping people to do various ministry tasks, including becoming Pastor, Teachers, Prophets, Evangelists, and Apostles.
Romans 12:6 tells us that our individual giftings are actually a work of God’s grace. And, that we will be able to use them more and more as our faith in him grows….remember that grace is accessed through faith.