Read Romans 3:21-26

“[We are] being justified freely by His grace…” (Romans 3:24)

Grace! God’s grace! One of the most outstanding words in all of the Bible. The word in the original language is charis, from which we get the word charity or charisma. The word itself means more literally kindness or favor. In light of God, we may take the liberty to define it a step further as God's unmerited favor and kindness.

Thus, being declared right with God — justification — is according to God's kindness and favor toward you. That is grace! Grace single-handedly changes everything for us. It is the reason why God has chosen to save us and justify us. Think of it. God has chosen to voluntarily offer you righteousness completely free of charge for no other reason than the fact that He is gracious.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us…” (Ephesians 1:7–8)

Why does God have so much grace for us? That, my friend, is a mystery within the Godhead that we may never know. Nonetheless, we will fully enjoy God’s grace for all of eternity!

There is yet one more thing we must consider in the face of God’s grace. Because our justification is according to grace, that means that nothing can possibly change the definition of the terms of our righteousness. That is the whole point of grace — it is based on the character of God, not on the deeds of man.

“And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.” (Romans 11:6)

If God’s grace could be overridden by us, then it would have never been grace in the first place. Partial grace is not grace at all! Nor is conditional grace worth mentioning as grace either. There is no such thing! Grace stands on its own feet as the unconditional reason by which God has chosen to justify the ungodly through faith in Jesus. If it could be interfered with, then it would no longer be by grace.

Friend — you must know the power of God’s abounding grace for you! Would you dare say that sin has more power than God’s grace? — not to mention Christ’s blood and redemption? Your salvation was never according to your own works or deeds. There is not a single merit of yours, whether good or bad, that is part of God’s reasons for declaring you righteous. No, but all of our righteousness is according to the unconditional favor of God for you. Because of grace, you can rest confidently in your salvation. Sin no longer has dominion over you.

Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ who has allowed us to experience the good pleasures of God’s kindness in Him! That, my friend, is something worth rejoicing in each and every day. Amen.

“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)

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