Over the last fifty years we have seen such a horrific erosion to the true meaning of God’s “grace” that it has almost become meaningless [note: not God’s grace – but the meaning]. Let me explain. From the beginning of mankind, man has sought “acceptance in God’s eyes” by whatever means or methods that “we” have chosen. All we have to do is open our Bibles to Genesis 4 to read of the offerings brought before the Lord by Cain and Abel to find an example. In churches throughout our land we have seen, of late, a magnification of man’s pre-disposition to gain “acceptance in God’s eyes” through one’s own works and efforts. And “acceptance through one’s own works and efforts” has become equated to “salvation and acquisition of an eternal home in Heaven.”
But if we are to truly understand how one is “accepted in God’s eyes,” that is, how one can be assured of salvation and an eternal home in Heaven, we must turn to God’s Word.
Ephesians 2:8-9 states,
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Romans 3:23-24 states,
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”
Ephesians 1:7 states,
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
And Titus 3:5 states,
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”
God’s “divine grace”, as defined in the above verses, is the free and undeserved love and favor of God towards man as a sinner – which can only be obtained through repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ.
Acts 20:21 declares,
“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Acts 4:12 proclaims,
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
In other words, as Romans 3:10 states,
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”
Therefore, none of our unrighteous works or efforts will ever be able to gain “acceptance in God’s eyes.” In fact, Romans 11:6 provides the clarification,
“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”
If you truly want to be “accepted by God and have a home in heaven” you must through faith receive God’s “divine grace”.
However, we’re still not done with the true meaning of “grace”. Many believers [who are saved by grace] seem to have forgotten that we are also to “live by grace”. In other words, through God’s grace our lives are to be continually changing – for His good.
Ephesians 2:10 states,
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Romans 12:2 states,
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
And 2 Corinthians 9:8 states,
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”
Let us understand that we will never be able to perform God’s good works apart from His life changing “grace”.
Finally, let us also be reminded that it is only through God’s “grace” that we will ever truly please God – and find true peace within ourselves, and with others. May the grace of God resonate in our hearts daily such that we may be obedient to His command, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” [Colossians 3:16]. Have you received by faith God’s “divine grace”?
