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.“ (Eph 2:8-97)
One simple definition for GRACE is God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. GRACE is God’s unmerited favour upon sinners and saints. We (sinners and saints) need grace and none of us deserves it. The Doctrine of Grace Alone (Sola Gracis) teaches that we are totally unable to save ourselves. Salvation is wholly an act of God. No one in the entire human race deserves any consideration from God. We are all rebels and sinners who deserve Hell. God could rightfully have sent the entire human race to eternal punishment long ago if not for His own great redemption plan. The apostle Paul rightly said, “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath” (Eph 2:1-3). The hymn, “Amazing Grace”, by John Newton captures this amazing truth.