Grace is one of the most misunderstood topics in the Bible.  It has always been a source of false doctrine, some formed from honest hearts that are led astray by the man-made theology of “faith alone,” while others are set forth by those with sinister motives.  Jude spoke of the latter group.

Jude 1:4 (ESV)
⁴  For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

On the other hand, some have not fully appreciated the power and benefits of God’s grace.  We are sometimes so worried about our performance in Christ that we fail to understand the place of grace in our shortcomings.  By the grace of God, we do not have to be perfect.  Thank God, since we all sin (1 John 1:8-10).   This knowledge should strengthen us.  Paul told Timothy, “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1).

What is this grace that can strengthen us in Christ?  It is God’s unmerited favor.  To merit something is to deserve or earn it; thus, when something is unmerited, it is undeserved.  Our redemption from sin and ongoing fellowship with God is undeserved.  We do not earn our salvation.  It is a gift from God.  “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:9).

Salvation is a gift because God did not have to save us.  He could have demanded our perfection and condemned us (when we failed) as our deserved punishment.  Instead, God arranged to give us what we did not deserve—a chance at redemption.

Think about all that grace has provided for us.  It provided the perfect sacrifice in Jesus, the Son of God.  God prepared a physical body for His Son for our sanctification (Hebrews 10:5-10).  God’s grace provided the blood of Jesus for our purification (Matthew 26:28);  the resurrection of Christ for our justification (Romans 4:21), and now that we are redeemed, God’s grace provides an advocate for us, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1), for our mediation.  None of these things are deserved.  They were provided by the unmerited favor of God.

The grace of God that has provided these things allows us to hold on to the hope of heaven despite the sins we commit once in a while.  Of course, all sins must be repented of to be forgiven (Acts 8:22; 17:30); but, once we do that, God remembers our sins no more (Hebrews 8:12; 10:17).  Knowing this should give us strength for living and motivation to want to please God in all things.

The grace of God helps us to lean on God instead of ourselves for strength.  What it does not do is give us an excuse to be disobedient to God.  Grace cannot help us if we sin willfully and refuse to repent.  We must also recognize that grace does not alleviate our duty to work out our own salvation (Philippians 2:12).  While grace removes the need for meritorious works, it does not take away our obligation to engage in works of faith (James 2:14-26).  Thank God for His grace.  Use it to strengthen yourselves by realizing that your real strength comes from relying on God’s Son.  This is what Jesus meant when He said to Paul in a vision, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.