2. Grace: God’s Gift That Saves, Strengthens, and Sustains Us
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“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”
1 Corinthians 16:23 NKJV
Grace Is What God Has Given Us
Paul closes his letter to the Corinthians with a short but powerful blessing: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” Grace is not simply a theological idea or a word we use when speaking about salvation. Grace is the undeserved favour, kindness, power, and provision of God freely given to us through Jesus Christ. We could never earn it, deserve it, or repay it. Grace is what God gives because of who He is, not because of what we have accomplished.
When Paul prays that grace will “be with you,” he reveals that grace is not only something we received when we were saved. Grace is God’s continuing presence and provision in our daily lives. We begin by grace, we grow by grace, we serve by grace, and we remain standing by grace.
Chosen by Grace
“Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.”
Romans 11:5 NKJV
We belong to God because of His gracious choice and invitation, not because we were better, wiser, or more worthy than others. Grace removes all boasting. We did not find God because we were spiritually superior; God lovingly reached out to us. Our relationship with Him began in His heart before it ever began in ours.
Justified by Grace
“Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:24 NKJV
To be justified means to be declared righteous before God. We could not remove our own guilt or correct our sinful condition through good works. Yet God has justified us freely through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Grace does not pretend that sin is unimportant; grace points to the cross where Jesus paid its full price. Because of Him, the guilty can be forgiven, cleansed, and accepted by God.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”
Ephesians 2:8 NKJV
Salvation is God’s gift from beginning to end. Faith receives what grace provides. We do not work to become accepted; we obey God because we have already been accepted in Christ.
Gifted According to Grace
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith.”
Romans 12:6 NKJV
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith.”
Romans 12:6 NIV
Grace not only saves us; grace equips us. Every believer has received something from God that can be used to serve others and build His kingdom. Our abilities, opportunities, ministries, and spiritual gifts are not reasons for pride. They are expressions of God’s grace entrusted to us.
We should never compare our calling with someone else’s. God gives different gifts according to His wisdom and purpose. Our responsibility is not to imitate another person’s grace, but to faithfully use the grace God has given us.
Strengthened by Grace
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’”
2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV
Grace is especially precious when we feel weak. God does not always remove every difficulty immediately, but He promises that His grace will be sufficient. Our weakness does not disqualify us from being used by God. It can become the very place where His strength is most clearly revealed.
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16 NKJV
Grace is available in our time of need. We do not have to hide from God when we struggle, fail, or feel overwhelmed. Because of Jesus, we may approach Him boldly—not arrogantly, but confidently—knowing that we will find mercy and the grace necessary to help us.
Do Not Receive Grace in Vain
“We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.”
2 Corinthians 6:1 NKJV
Grace must never become an excuse for careless living. The grace that forgives us also teaches, transforms, and empowers us to live differently. God has not given us grace so that we may remain unchanged, but so that we may become more like Christ.
Living in the Grace We Have Received
What has God given us? He has given us grace. By grace we were chosen. By grace we are saved and justified. By grace we receive spiritual gifts. By grace we are strengthened in weakness. By grace we find help in every need. Grace is not merely the doorway into the Christian life; it is the atmosphere in which the Christian life is lived.
Therefore, let us remain humble, grateful, and dependent upon Jesus. Let us use the gifts He has given us, approach His throne with confidence, and trust His strength when our own strength fails. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ truly be with us—in our thoughts, our decisions, our relationships, our service, and every part of our lives.