What are some lies the enemy has told you?
As a perfectionist, I’ve fallen prey to some lies like thinking that I don’t do enough good or that I’ve sinned too much to be forgiven by God. But then I remember God’s grace, a gift that I can’t earn.
If you’ve already asked Jesus to save you from your sins, you are saved by God’s grace through your faith in Him. But what exactly does all that mean? Together, we’ll break down what it means to accept God’s grace, forgiveness, and salvation.
I hope this article helps you understand what it means to be saved by grace through faith and to rest in God’s peace. Most importantly, my hope is for you to grow closer to Jesus.
To start, here’s a definition of what it means to be saved by grace through faith.
‘Saved by Grace Through Faith’ Defined
“Salvation by grace through faith” is a way Christians talk about how Jesus makes us new.
We all fail and make mistakes, and these sins matter to a good and holy God. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he said that the wages, or consequences, of sin is death.
That’s pretty heavy, right? But here’s the good news: We don’t need to scramble to earn God’s love or forgiveness. Paul went on to say that the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus our Lord.
So what does this mean for us? All we need to do is ask God to save us from our sins. When we make that choice and trust (have faith) that God’s undeserved kindness (grace) will cover our sins because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross, that’s what being saved by grace through faith is all about.
What Is Grace?
Grace is God’s undeserved kindness, freely given to us because of the work of Jesus.
Grace is God’s undeserved kindness, freely given to us because of the work of Jesus.
We were made good by God, created in His image with love and purpose. Then sin distorted that goodness and separated us from Him. But the good news is that God didn’t leave us stuck. Instead, He sent Jesus to restore what was broken.
Even when we fall short, God’s grace is more than enough. His goodness covers our weakness, and His love is greater than anything we have done.
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
We will never deserve or earn God’s grace, yet because of His goodness, God’s grace is freely available and sufficient for both you and me. It’s His complete forgiveness and favor, not based on anything we’ve done, but solely on what Jesus did on our behalf. I know from experience that it can be hard to wrap your head around that truth. But God is far more loving and good than you or I could ever imagine.
What Is Faith?
Faith is trusting what we cannot see and believing that God’s promises are true. This means believing that Jesus lived, died, and rose again to save us and make us right with God.
Even though we might never see Jesus with our own eyes in this life, we can love Him with our whole hearts. Faith isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about choosing to trust God and walk with Him each day.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV
I love this verse from Hebrews. My faith in God is confidence in what I hope for and assurance about what I do not see. I am saved through my faith in the work of Jesus, the Son of God, and my willingness to ask that His sacrifice cover my sins.
Our faith in God is worth far more than gold. Even though I haven’t seen Jesus, I love Him. Even though I don’t see him with my eyes, I believe in Him.
What Does the Bible Say About Salvation?
Salvation is a gift from God.
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. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV
We are saved through Jesus’ mercy.
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit … Titus 3:4-5 NIV
We can have peace with God through Jesus Christ.
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. … Romans 5:1-2 NIV
How Can I Be Saved by Grace Through Faith?
God’s grace cuts through two common lies: that we need to earn our way to heaven by being good enough, and that we have messed up too badly to be forgiven. The truth is that salvation is not something we achieve. It is a gift we receive through faith in Jesus.
God loved us so much that He sent His Son to take our place, pay for our sin, and make a way for us to have eternal life with Him. When we put our faith in Jesus and ask Him to save us, trusting who He is and what He has done, we’re made right with God.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV
God loved you so much that He sent Jesus to pay for your sins. It is through Him, not yourself, that you are saved when you accept Christ as your Savior.
When you truly live by faith, it will show in the way you treat others and serve in God’s kingdom. That doesn’t mean you’ll always be perfect, and there’s always grace for the journey. But as time goes on, living by faith in God will result in you becoming more like Jesus and better equipped to share His love with others.
If you’re ready to begin a relationship with Jesus and receive God’s gift of grace, you can start with a simple prayer.
A Salvation Prayer
If you’re ready to take the step of asking Jesus to save you, pray this prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to pay for my sins. I need You, Lord. I need Your forgiveness. I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I want to follow You with my whole life. I commit my life to You. My life is now Yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.
If you’ve decided to pray this prayer and accept Jesus as your Savior, we’re so excited for you! Let us know you prayed—we would love to pray for you and help you get connected in your new journey of following Jesus.
A Prayer to Thank God for His Grace
If you’ve already been saved by Jesus, pray this prayer to thank Him for His limitless grace:
Dear heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to save me. By Your mercy, I’ve been given new life. I know that I could never earn Your forgiveness, and that instead I’m saved by Your grace through my faith in Jesus. Help me to take the love You’ve shown me and reflect it to others by sharing Your good name. Help me to rest in Your perfect peace. I love You. In Jesus’ name, amen.