Understanding God’s Grace
I often heard the word “grace” during a pastor’s sermon, in casual conversations among church folks, and even right before a meal. But I have always wondered what it really means. At that time, I was more of a “churchgoer” than a student of the Bible. It wasn’t until the Spirit moved me, prompting me to read and actually spend time studying God’s Word, that I began to understand the true meaning of His grace—and what it means for us.
When I realized that God’s grace is His unmerited favor, kindness, and love extended to all humanity, it stopped me in my tracks. And here’s the amazing part: there’s nothing you or I could ever do to earn it. Even though we don’t deserve it, God freely blesses us with this incredible gift. What an awesome, loving God we serve!
I also learned that God has given us two fundamental types of grace: common grace and saving grace. As we move forward, you’ll learn more about God’s grace and better understand what each means and how it relates to your life.
You’ll be amazed as we explore how God’s grace is present in our daily lives, the gift of salvation, and how we can live in His grace daily. From the simple moments of life to the big decisions, grace is continually at work, guiding, sustaining, and transforming us.
The purpose of God’s grace is to draw us closer to Him and to transform lives. Titus 2:11 (NKJV): “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” The purpose is to redeem and teach us how to live according to God’s will by drawing us into a deeper relationship with Him.
As we dive deeper into God’s grace, we’ll discover His abundant love and how it empowers us to live with purpose, hope, and peace in Him.
Common Grace – God’s Goodness to All
Common grace refers to God’s kindness and unmerited favor extended to all people, regardless of faith Matthew 5:45 (NIV) “that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Isn’t it unbelievable that He gives us this wonderful blessing whether a person is a believer or not?
Common grace is evident in the beauty of creation, the moral order that governs our society, and the countless ways God provides for all people. Although common grace does not offer salvation, it does reveal God’s goodness and invites us to know Him on a deeper level.
How often have you thought about these daily gifts or taken the time to recognize and appreciate these gifts of grace in our own lives? Consider, the sun that provides the energy required to sustain all life.
Let’s take a deeper look into some examples of common grace:
Enjoying Life’s Blessings
Every good thing we have comes from God. Consider our food, most of which is plant-based. Where did the seeds for planting come from, as well as the fruit trees? They require the sun and rain to flourish; again, where did it all come from? It’s all common grace.
Genesis 1:29 “Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.”NIV
Whenever you’ve gone on a nature hike, fishing, or enjoying a beautiful sunset, have you ever just taken in the majesty of God’s creation? While fishing, have you ever thought about what it takes for fish to thrive, where their food comes from, and the oxygen for their gills?
The beauty of it all, the way it works together in harmony, is simply fantastic. These are all blessings under common grace.
Human Kindness and Morality
Even in this broken world, people show us their kindness, love, and justice regardless of their faith. Consider acts of charity and even ethical business practices; these all reflect God’s common grace at work in humanity.
We get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of God’s goodness when we witness generosity toward those in need, honesty in leadership (I know it’s hard to believe), or compassion extended to the hurting.
The remarkable thing is this blessing works among those who may not yet know Him. These expressions of love and justice are not just coincidence but are evidence of a Creator who has designed human beings with the capacity for moral goodness.
God’s common grace and goodness works because He has placed a moral conscience in every human heart. Take a look at Romans 2:15 “They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them.“ESV
For those who havn’t follow God’s Word, there’s still an instinctive sense of right and wrong. That internal compass is not random. It’s part of the way God wired us. When someone is morally aware, even if it’s not fully understood or acknowledged, it is a glimpse of His grace working in our lives.
Ever since the fall of man, sin has twisted the human heart. Pride, selfishness, and rebellion have clouded and distorted that sense of right and wrong. Still, that internal moral sense remains within all of us. It might not always lead us to perfect decisions but it’s evidence of the greater truth: that God, in His grace, didn’t completely withdraw His presence from humanity.
Though common grace does not replace the need for saving grace, it serves as a reminder that God’s presence is evident throughout all creation, drawing people toward His ultimate truth.
Gifts and Talents
God gives wisdom, creativity, and talents to all people, not just believers. That’s why we see consistent advancements in medicine: His common grace allows both the faithful and the unbelieving to acquire knowledge and develop solutions that benefit humanity.
Consider a brilliant scientist who may not be a Christian yet can still discover life-saving medicines or develop a cure for diseases. These breakthroughs are not by chance but are possible because God, in His grace, has given humanity the capacity to learn, innovate, and improve lives.
Even when people may not acknowledge Him, their gifts and abilities reflect His awesomeness and the wisdom He so graciously imparts to us all.
Technology is progressing at a breakneck pace. Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way we live, simplifying everyday tasks like asking your interactive voice assistant (Alexa) to play music, order a pizza, or plan your meal.
With a smart home, you can control your entire home from your phone. People use this tech every day; I prefer to stick with flicking my own light switch on or off.
What’s more impressive is how AI benefits patient care and disease diagnosis in the healthcare industry. Artificial intelligence (AI) is now used in cancer treatment to improve diagnosis, predict treatment responses, and personalize patient care.
Isn’t it unbelievable that He gives us all these wonderful blessings whether a person is a believer or not? Everything we have, our abilities, intelligence, opportunities that arise, every breath that we take in, is a gift from God.
Every moment of joy we experience and every provision we receive, whether big or small, is a reflection of God’s common grace. This grace is not something we earn through our actions or beliefs; rather, it flows freely from His loving and just nature, blessing all people regardless of their faith.
When we truly grasp the meaning of common grace, our hearts shift from pride to gratitude and from self-reliance to a deeper dependence on God. We begin to recognize that every blessing comes from Him.
What Should Our Response Be to Common Grace?
God’s patience with the world is also a form of common grace, allowing people time to turn to Him. Consider 2 Peter 3:9 NIV: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” God wants all of us to repent, change our ways and receive His saving grace.
Gratitude
Gratitude is a great response, to begin with. As we’ve learned, every good thing comes from God, and He is worthy of all gratitude and praise. Consider what Jesus says about giving thanks: 1 Thessalonians 5:18; “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
We honor God with our gratitude, shifting our focus from complaining about life’s inconveniences to recognizing the countless blessings He freely gave us. Instead of dwelling on what we lack, we appreciate God’s daily provisions, His mercy, and the ways He continually cares for us.
Reflecting on our past blessings strengthens our faith and reminds us of God’s unwavering faithfulness. Everything we have comes from Him, and it always amazes me when I consider the power of His grace.
Remembering His goodness shows us that He’s always been there, guiding and sustaining us, even through the tough times. When we recognize that all we are and have comes from God, it deepens our trust in Him.
The same God who has been faithful in the past will continue to guide us, leading us toward His saving grace.
Generosity
Since God freely gives us His grace, we are called to be generous to others. Generosity isn’t about the amount of money you give. Sure, it’s nice to be able to donate to various charities or worthy fundraisers, but God wants a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7; “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (NIV)
There is much more to generosity than money. It’s about time, kindness, and resources. Think of a time when you may have given your time to help an elderly neighbor move something, shoveled their driveway, or just spent some time talking with them. Time is a great gift you can generously give to someone.
Going hand in hand with time is kindness. Be generous with encouraging others. How hard is it to be kind? To offer words of encouragement, send a kind message or tell someone you appreciate them.
When shopping or standing in line at a store, it’s easy to smile, say hi, or let them go ahead of you because they only have a couple of items. Even letting someone go ahead of you in a parking lot is an act of generosity. There are countless ways we can show kindness to others.
Consider some resources available; share your skills and knowledge like if you’re good with your hands and fixing things around the house. Maybe you’re good with computers or have a vehicle that can move things. There are many more resources, which are an excellent way to be generous toward others.
Why generosity matters: Generosity is a reflection of God’s character, demonstrating His love for humanity. Just as He blesses us daily, we can pass that blessing to others. We participate in God’s work through generosity, sharing His love and kindness with those in need.
Generosity not only blesses others, but it also strengthens our faith and trust in God. By being generous, we have the opportunity to show others God’s goodness. Our actions and the way we live can speak volumes, and they may just draw someone closer to God’s saving grace.
Our faith draws us closer to God and serves as a testimony to those around us. Our generosity can help move people closer to Jesus, showing them the goodness of God in action.
I’ve noticed that when I help someone—whether financially or by lending a helping hand—it brightens their day and they were so thankful. I can’t be sure, but I hope that in some small way, it moved them closer to God.
In a world that often values the accumulation of wealth and stuff, choosing to give freely sets us apart and reflects the heart of our Heavenly Father.
Leading to a Transformed Life
When we recognize God’s grace (gratitude) and share His blessings (generosity) with others, we become more like Jesus. Living in this way brings abundant joy to our lives. Giving freely, whether it’s time, money, or other resources, is an amazing feeling as we help our neighbor.
The joy we receive leads to our contentment and impacts our lives in ways that go beyond just us; it blesses others and glorifies God.
As others begin to notice your actions, it offers the opportunity to lead them to saving grace that brings redemption through Jesus Christ.
When people realize that the same God who meets their physical needs also offers spiritual renewal, they become more open to receiving His gift of salvation.
Our acts of kindness and generosity can soften hearts, making them more receptive to the Gospel. Every small act of help opens the door for an opportunity to point someone toward Jesus.
As people reflect on the goodness they’ve experienced through common grace, many begin searching for the source of that goodness. With our guidance, that search can lead them to the ultimate gift—salvation through God’s saving grace.
Evangelism doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating. It’s not about preaching or quoting scripture; it’s about how we live and naturally share the good news of Jesus in our everyday conversations.
Conversation is the only way I’ve ever been able to reach the people I meet, whether an acquaintance or someone I’ve never met before.
Your personal story of faith is a powerful tool. People relate to real-life transformation. Keep it simple: Talk about who you were before Jesus, how you met Him, and what’s changed in your life.
Saving Grace – God’s Gift of Salvation
God’s amazing saving grace sets Christianity apart from all other religions. Saved believers and those yet to be saved will be saved in the same way by the undeserved grace of God. Titus 2 11; “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.” (NIV)
Common grace sustains our lives, but it does not save us. Knowing we are saved by grace and not works is essential. Ephesians 2:8: (NIV) “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” We are completely unable to save ourselves by our own efforts.
God’s saving grace is His undeserved favor that rescues us sinners. God’s love for us is immeasurable; He demonstrated this by offering His Son as a sacrifice. Even while we were still sinners, Jesus died for us, the ultimate free gift.
Without saving grace, we are spiritually lost and separated from God. That’s why God sent His one and only Son to pay for our sins and offer us salvation as a gift. Notice the recurring theme: God’s grace and generosity are gifts.
Why We Need Saving Grace
Since the fall of Adam, sin has created a barrier between us and our Creator. We need saving grace to restore that relationship with God.
Separation from God in our daily lives can cause us many issues. Worry and anxiety are very prevalent in society, not only because of world events but also because of everyday concerns about money, health, or relationships.
Because of God’s grace over time and my trust in Jesus, I’ve been able to let go of anything that troubled me and lay it at the foot of the cross. I give everything to Jesus. My stress level goes down, and I take His yoke because His burden is light.
Mathew 11:28-30; “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (NIV)
Many find themselves without purpose or following a path to moral decay. Wallowing in self-pity often leads to a never-ending cycle of negativity and helplessness. God’s saving grace answers all of life’s issues and concerns. Romans 3:23 (NIV) reminds us that“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” meaning that every person needs redemption.
More important is avoiding eternal separation from God. On many occasions, Jesus warned that a day of final judgment would come Matthew 25:46 (NIV). “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” I don’t know about you, but I fully expect to have eternal life through the grace of God.
How Do We Receive Saving Grace?
We receive God’s saving grace by believing in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Unlike common grace, which is freely given to us, saving grace is a gift that brings forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life when we put our faith in Him. Jesus made a way for us to be reconciled with God by His sacrifice on the cross.
Repentance is essential for salvation. It means turning away from our old ways and allowing God to transform us from the inside out. Through His grace, we are not only forgiven but also become a new creation in Christ.
When we accept Jesus as our savior, we commit to repenting from all our sins. Consider Acts 3:19 (NIV) “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,” Isn’t it incredible that God will wipe away all our sins and make us new and have eternal life?
Prayer to Accept Jesus as Your Savior
Your response to salvation is the most important decision you will ever make. Accepting Jesus as our savior, you are adopted into God’s family at a significant cost. We are not to ignore or drift away from the gift of God’s amazing grace.
Start a relationship with Jesus today. Pray this prayer and transform your life
Lord Jesus, you are the living God. I understand that my sin deserves judgment. Thank you for loving me enough to take that judgment—your death in my place. Thank you for providing a way for me to be kept safe when you will judge all evil. In faith, I trust you—and your sacrifice—as full payment for my sin. Help me turn away from anything that dishonors you, and follow you with all my heart. I want you to be first in my life, to lead me each day. My life is yours, Lord. Help me to know you better. Amen. Jonathan, Grace Church
How Saving Grace Transforms Our Lives
Giving our life to Jesus frees us from guilt and condemnation allowing us to walk in the confidence of His love and forgiveness. We can let go of past mistakes knowing we are fully accepted by God.
Romans 8:1 (NIV) reminds us, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” His grace not only removes our guilt but also fills us with peace, knowing that we are secure in Him.
As we experience God’s grace firsthand, our hearts begin to change. We develop a spirit of compassion and extend grace to others. Instead of holding onto bitterness, resentment, or judgment, we learn to forgive, love, and encourage those around us. This transformation strengthens us in daily trials, giving us the patience to face challenges with faith rather than fear. With Jesus, we are never alone
Conclusion: Embrace God’s Amazing Grace
Embracing God’s amazing grace is a life-changing decision that transforms our hearts and minds. It is through His grace that we are forgiven, restored, and made new in Christ. It does not matter where we are in life; His grace is always available, waiting for us to receive it and apply it to our lives.
Once we understand the immeasurable depth of His love and the awesome gift of salvation, we are motivated to live with gratitude, humility, and a desire to reflect that grace to others.
As we embrace God’s grace, it isn’t just about receiving forgiveness; it’s more about allowing His love to completely change the way we live, love, and serve others. We trust in His strength as we seek His will daily.
May you be inspired to receive and walk in the fullness of God’s amazing grace!
Citations
Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
“Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.