Grace Definition in the Bible: What It Really Means to Be Saved by Grace

Grace is mentioned many times in the Bible, so it’s important for us to understand what its significance is in religion. It’s easy to misunderstand how we get it, or what purpose it serves, and at times it gets mistaken for mercy. We’ll be clearing all of this up in this article to help you be saved by grace through your faith.

Definition of Grace in the Bible

A characteristic of God, grace reveals His loving kindness, mercy, and compassion. One way to look at it is as His undeserved kindness and generosity towards others. Forgiveness and blessings come from God, not because we are deserving but because of His infinite love, even though we are flawed.

In order to fully understand the magnitude of God's grace, we must take stock of our lives before and after Christ. Psalm 51:5 says that people have an innate sinful nature, and Romans 3:9–23 and 1 John 1:8–10 say that people are guilty of disobeying God's commands. Additionally, Colossians 1:21 says that people are estranged from God. According to Romans 6:23, without grace, we are condemned, worthless, and unable to save ourselves.

Nevertheless, redemption is offered by God through grace (Ephesians 2:8), which brings hope, change, and triumph over sin (James 4:6). Acts 20:24 calls it an essential part of the gospel, while 2 Thessalonians 2:16 calls it an encouragement. Paul frequently credited grace with his mission (Romans 15:15; Ephesians 3:2, 7). Jesus is the embodiment of truth and grace (John 1:14).

A "gift" is a common way to describe grace (Ephesians 4:7), which highlights its importance:

• Grace is unmerited and undeserved, like a gift that needs no return.
• Because Christ paid the price for our salvation, it is free to us, but the giver must shoulder the cost.
• Similar to how God's grace never ends, the ownership of a genuine gift remains with the receiver eternally.
• Christ offered us eternal life by laying down His wealth (2 Corinthians 8:9), a personal sacrifice for the benefit of the receiver.
• We are saved because of God's love, not because of anything we've done right (Romans 5:8-10).

Grace from God does not terminate with salvation but moulds, sustains, and guides believers all the days of their lives.

What Is God’s Grace

The arrival of Jesus Christ brings the topic of grace to a close in the New Testament, which is a recurring motif throughout the Bible (John 1:17). The Greek term charis, which can mean favor or blessing, is the origin of the English word "grace" used in the New Testament. So, what is the spiritual meaning of grace? The word grace takes on a deeper meaning when it is used in relation to God, yet we can all provide grace to others. When we sin, God could curse us, but instead He chooses to bless us. This is grace. It is His kindness towards those who do not deserve it.

His grace is the sole means by which any of us can approach God and establish a relationship with Him. When God sacrificed an animal to atone for Adam and Eve's transgression, grace came into the world (Genesis 3:21). There and then, for disobedience, he could have murdered the first humanity. However, instead of destroying them, He decided to provide a means for them to reconcile with Him. 

Even when God imposed blood sacrifices to atone for wicked men, the pattern of grace persisted throughout the Old Testament. Forgiveness came from God's favor, not from the physical blood of the sacrifices themselves (Hebrews 10:4; Genesis 15:6), yet it was a necessary condition for salvation. Even though they were sinful, the men who offered the sacrifices God demanded demonstrated their trust.

There is a difference between God's mercy and grace. Grace bestows a favor upon us that we are not deserving of, while mercy resists a just penalty. Titus 3:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21 both attest to God's compassionate decision to pay the price for our sins by sacrificing His perfect Son. However, grace surpasses mercy because He offers it to His adversaries (Romans 5:10). 

If we take Him up on His offer and put our confidence in His sacrifice, He promises to forgive us (Hebrews 8:12; Ephesians 1:7), reconcile us (Colossians 1:19–20), give us abundant life (John 10:10), a position in heaven someday (John 3:16–18), His Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13), and eternal riches (Luke 12:33).

How Can You Be Saved By Grace?

Salvation through grace is a gift from God, received by faith in Jesus Christ. It is not something that can be earned through good deeds or personal effort, but rather, it is freely given out of God’s love and mercy. The essence of being saved by grace is accepting and trusting in Christ’s sacrifice, knowing that He paid the ultimate price for our sins.

Accepting God’s Grace

Grace is available to everyone, but it must be received. Sometimes, feelings of unworthiness can make it difficult to accept this gift, but salvation is not about being worthy—it is about God’s love for us. Just as an unopened present remains unused, grace must be embraced for it to transform a person’s life. When you accept grace, you acknowledge Christ’s sacrifice and allow His love to renew you.

Pray and Seek God’s Guidance

Salvation begins with turning to God in prayer. Ask Him to open your heart to His grace and to help you accept the forgiveness He offers. Prayer deepens your relationship with God, strengthens faith, and provides peace in knowing that salvation comes from Him alone. Seek Him daily through worship, prayer, and studying His Word.

Remind Yourself of God’s Love

There are moments in life when doubts arise, and faith may feel weak. In those times, immerse yourself in Scripture. The Bible is filled with reminders of God’s love and His faithfulness to His people. Reading and meditating on His Word will strengthen your understanding of His grace and reinforce the truth that His love for you is unconditional.

Stop Trying to Earn Salvation

One of the greatest misunderstandings about salvation is the belief that it must be earned. Many people think they need to perform good deeds to be accepted by God. However, Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly states that salvation is not a result of works but is a gift from God. Trying to earn grace diminishes the sacrifice Jesus made. Instead of striving to be “good enough,” recognize that grace is given freely, and your good works should be a response to God’s love, not a requirement for salvation.

Forgive Yourself and Walk in Faith

Once you have accepted God’s grace, it is important to forgive yourself for past mistakes. God’s mercy is limitless, and when He forgives, He does so completely. Holding onto guilt and shame contradicts the freedom that comes with salvation. Make a conscious effort to let go of past failures, trusting that each new day is a fresh start in Christ.

Let Go of Fear and Trust in God

Salvation brings freedom from fear. Worrying about whether you are good enough or if God is angry with you can steal the joy of faith. Psalm 34:4 reminds us that God delivers us from our fears when we seek Him. Trust that His grace is sufficient and rest in His promises.

Live a Life of Gratitude

Finally, embrace a heart of gratitude. Take time to thank God daily for His love, grace, and the salvation you have received through Jesus. Expressing gratitude strengthens faith and deepens your relationship with Him. Live out your faith by spreading love, kindness, and truth to others.

Examples of Grace in the Bible

Here are a few examples of grace in the Bible as explained by Dr. John Jackson:

Noah—Genesis 6:8

Even though the world was corrupt at the time, Noah was counted among those who found grace in the sight of the Lord. This undeserved favor was a demonstration of God's mercy rather than Noah's innate righteousness. In addition to sparing Noah and his family from the approaching flood, God's transformational grace also heralded a new covenant between God and humanity.

Josseph—Genesis 50:19–21

By choosing not to exact revenge on his brothers, who had sold him into slavery, Joseph wove grace and forgiveness into his life. Joseph, on the other took to feeding and sheltering them throughout the famine. Even under the most painful and betrayal-filled of circumstances, this gracious deed proves that forgiveness is powerful and reconciliation is possible.

Ruth—Ruth 2:10–13

When the Moabites' Ruth chose to stand by her mother-in-law Naomi, she felt God's grace. Boaz, who would later become Ruth's husband, welcomed and sheltered her as a foreigner while she laboured in his fields. A moving account of grace that transcends national and cultural lines, the life of Ruth exemplifies God's unconditional love for all people.

David—2 Samuel 7:15

The grace and kindness of God were bestowed to David in spite of his imperfections and transgressions. King David's lineage would be preserved by the Lord's covenant, which would conclude with the birth of Jesus Christ. 

Bible Verses About Grace

Reading scripture on grace can help you better understand its meaning in Christianity.

• Ephesians 2:8-9 – "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."
• 2 Corinthians 12:9 – "But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
• Romans 3:23-24 – "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
• Titus 2:11 – "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people."
• Romans 5:20-21 – "But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
• Hebrews 4:16 – "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
• John 1:16-17 – "Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."
• 2 Timothy 1:9 – "He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time."
• Romans 6:14 – "For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace."
• Acts 20:24 – "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."

Conclusion

Grace is something we are given despite our undeserving nature, something that can guide our lives and strengthen our faith that He walks with us in all challenges of life. Though we make mistakes and have a tendency towards sin, we can still be forgiven and saved by God, as proven by His sacrifice of His son.