Paul said, "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" (Eph. 2:8-9). Grace is usually defined as "unmerited favor." God didn't owe it to us. Out of love he extended grace. The grace of God is truly one of the main topics of the entire Bible. No one could say, " we could have just as easily have been saved without grace. We depend on God to save us. God did this through His grace.
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and Godly, in this present world” (Tit. 2:11-12). The relationship between law and grace is of the major theme of Paul’s' writings. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1). "But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification. For if by one mans' offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:15-17). We should never be guilty of minimizing the importance of grace in our salvation. Without Gods' grace we could not be saved! His grace we are shown in the greatest gift: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (Jno. 3:16).
As the song, "Amazing Grace," goes; God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8). Grace provided for our pardon while we were yet sinners. But our gift of pardon is conditional. How about when God offered Abraham land, but to receive it he was to leave his country. By faith Abraham obeyed. How do we receive Gods amazing grace in the forgiveness of our sins? Jesus said that when men hear the gospel of God’s grace, they must believe it and be baptized in order to be saved by Gods Grace. (Mk. 16:15‑16). Grace throws a rope to man drowning in sin. Man must believe and obey in order to be saved by grace. He does not deserve that grace and can never earn it.
The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (Jno. 1:17). God supplied man's greatest need when He sent His Son to die for man. Without this, we would be utterly hopeless. He could provide no means of forgiveness of sins. God’s grace is seen in the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Grace comes to all.
The grace of God is what we all need, and can only be obtained through Christ, through faith in Him. Paul said, "But by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10). God’s grace made Paul what he was. Grace is God’s part in our salvation; Grace is that which God gives, and which man cannot do for himself. "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you" (1 Pet. 5:10). Faith is man’s part in his salvation, and is something man can do for himself, and God does not force upon man. God’s grace is from above, and descends from Him.
It is by the death, burial and resurrection that God reached down to man: this is Grace. Grace is shown most clearly by the Son of God. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (Jno. 15:13). "Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor" (Eph. 5:2). We have done nothing to earn this. Salvation is the free gift of God; but it takes two, "Grace and Faith".
God wants all men to hear of His amazing grace. It is broad enough to take in everyone, if only men will receive it. "The Lord is patient, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet. 3:9). During the time of Gods patience, we have the wonderful privilege of telling men about His Grace. We must show people that they need God, this mercy, gift of love, the conditions for receiving it, the joy of sharing Gods grace. For God who is rich in mercy for His great love where with He loved us, even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us together in Christ, by Grace we are saved.