I’m about to tell you about the greatest gift you will ever be offered … God’s grace and forgiveness. No matter who you are or what you’ve done, God offers His grace to you. Yes, you!
Now, you may be asking yourself: What is God’s grace? Why do I need it? And why is it such a great gift? The answers to those questions have to do with our human problems and God’s goodness.
What Does ‘Grace’ Mean in the Bible?
Grace refers to the unmerited favor God shows us through His gift of abundant love and total forgiveness. We could never earn or deserve it, but He gives it freely because of His goodness, through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Why Do We Need God’s Grace?
We can’t talk about God’s grace without also talking about sin. You’ve probably heard the word “sin,” but let’s define it, just so we’re on the same page.
Sin is any action or thought that isn’t in alignment with God’s way. These actions and thoughts go against our identity as God’s partners in renewing the world.
We’ve all sinned, and sin separates us from God. We deserve death for rebelling against our Maker. But God is such a kind and loving Father that He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to save us so that we can have eternal life with Him.
Here’s what one biblical author, Paul, said about sin and grace:
So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:21 NLT
God’s grace is greater than our sin.
God’s grace is greater than our sin. That’s why grace is such a good gift! We need it because we can’t earn forgiveness on our own.
4 Bible Verses About God’s Grace
1. God’s grace offers salvation to all people.
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. Titus 2:11 NIV
We are God’s beloved creations, made in His image. He offers the gift of salvation to all people, including you.
2. Grace and truth came through Christ Jesus.
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. John 1:16-17 NIV
Grace upon grace has been given to you. God sent Jesus Christ to save us from our sins, and through Jesus came grace and truth.
3. God’s grace is sufficient for you.
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. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
It can be easy to believe that you need to try to be “enough” or that you’ve sinned too much to be forgiven. I’ve struggled with this too. But this verse debunks those lies. You can trust that God’s grace is sufficient for you, and His power is made perfect in your weakness. He is enough for you.
4. When you accept Christ, you are no longer ruled by law, but by grace.
For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:14 NIV
Sin has no hold on you when you are a follower of Christ. That doesn’t mean you won’t ever be tempted or make mistakes, but you are set free from being controlled by sin through the power of Christ!
A Bible Story of God’s Grace
In Luke 15, Jesus tells the story of a father and his two sons. The younger son asked his father for his inheritance—a big cultural misstep at the time—and left his family. Then he wasted his wealth and had nothing left.
Embarrassed and ashamed, he decided to return to his father and ask to be a servant. But when the father saw his son, he ran to hug and kiss him. The father responded with grace and kindness and had his servants prepare a celebration for him.
What could this parable mean for you? It shows that God’s grace is available—for you. No matter how you’ve lived, you can find grace.
How to Accept God’s Grace
If you haven’t already, you can accept God’s grace and forgiveness today. You are abundantly loved by your heavenly Father, and He wants you to walk your life with Him.
If you are ready to give your life to Christ, make this prayer your own:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace and forgiveness. I know that I don’t deserve it and could never earn it. Thank You that You offer it freely as a gift just because You are good and You love me. Lord, I want to accept You as my Savior. Please make me new and cleanse me of all sin. Help me walk with You and share Your goodness with others. I love You, Lord. Thank You for this new life You give. In Jesus’ name, amen.
If you have decided to accept Jesus as your Savior, tell someone about it! We’d love to pray for you and come alongside you in your new walk with Christ.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
Christians Show God’s Grace
Remember the story of the son who returned home? Well, he had an older brother who had stayed home with his father and remained faithful.
When the older son heard that his brother had returned home and that his father was throwing him a party, he got angry. He wondered why his brother was being celebrated for returning home when he himself had worked faithfully for his father for years. His father reassured him:
“… ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” Luke 15:31-32 NIV
Remember, God’s grace is for everyone, including people who live, think, and act differently than you—even people who’ve made choices that hurt you or the people you love. To be clear, God’s grace doesn’t remove the need for feedback, accountability, and justice, but it does mean that God’s offer of a second chance doesn’t expire.
If you’re a Christian, you’re called to be an example of God’s grace to the world.
If you’re a Christian, you’re called to be an example of God’s grace to the world. How? By offering people forgiveness and fresh opportunities. By acknowledging their history but not defining them by their past. By celebrating God’s grace on display in their lives.
Next Steps
- See God’s grace in the lives of others by getting involved in a church small group or Bible study! Being a part of a Jesus-centered community is incredibly important in helping you grow closer to Jesus.
- Show God’s grace by serving others. Consider volunteering in your church or at a local nonprofit to help more people experience Jesus’ love.
Get in the Word! Reading the Bible is one of the best ways to get to know God and His character. The Bible App from YouVersion is an accessible way to read God’s Word anywhere, anytime. Also, consider getting a paper Bible—you can use it to highlight different passages and write notes!