The Grace That Changes Lives

We live in a world where everything is measured by what we deserve: our pay, recognition and respect, and sometimes even love. Then the gospel speaks a surprising word: there is something that cannot be bought, earned or deserved, and it is called grace.

The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus:

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

These two verses hold three key phrases: grace, the gift of God and not of yourselves. Once we understand them, we are set free from trying to win God’s favour by our own efforts.

What is grace?

The word Paul used in Greek is χάρις (charis), meaning a free gift and undeserved kindness. Grace is being given what you do not deserve, for no reason other than the love of the giver.

Mercy says, ‘I will not give you the punishment you deserve.’ Grace goes further: ‘I will give you the blessing you do not deserve.’ Mercy rescues us from death; grace gives us new life with Christ and makes us children of God.

Why do we need grace?

Paul begins this chapter by describing our condition without Christ:

You were made alive when you were dead in transgressions and sins,

Ephesians 2:1

Notice the word: ‘dead’. Paul did not say we were merely ill or weak. Someone who is dead cannot bring themselves back to life, nor can they earn life; life has to be given to them. That is how we were, powerless to save ourselves, yet God in his love ‘made us alive together with Christ’ (Ephesians 2:5).

‘Not of yourselves’: words that set us free

If salvation were the fruit of our own works, we would live in constant anxiety: have I done enough? But Paul settles the matter: salvation is ‘not of yourselves’. It is a gift to be received, not bought. Even so, good works have their place:

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

A son does not work in order to become a son; he works because he is one. It is the same for the believer: good works are not the price of salvation but its fruit.

Grace changes the whole of life

Grace is not just an idea we believe; it is a power that shapes our lives day by day. Those who have been forgiven learn to forgive, and those who have received without deserving learn to give without expecting anything back. Paul said of himself:

But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was bestowed on me was not futile,

1 Corinthians 15:10

Those who have tasted grace are gradually changed: they become kinder, slower to judge others and closer to those who are weak.

Putting it into practice

• Begin your day with a minute of prayer and say, ‘Lord, I am here by your grace, not because I deserve it.’
• If you find yourself judging someone harshly, remember that you too have been forgiven freely.
• This week, offer an act of grace, whether practical help, a gift or a word of encouragement, to someone who cannot repay you.
• Memorise Ephesians 2:8-9, and call it to mind whenever you feel you do not deserve God’s love.

Prayer

Our Father, we thank you for loving us when we did not deserve it, and for making us alive with Christ when we were dead in our sins. We can never repay your grace, but we ask that we may live by it every day: to love as we have been loved, to forgive as we have been forgiven, and to give as you have given to us. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Related verses

• 2 Corinthians 12:9: ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’
• Romans 5:20: ‘But where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly.’
• Titus 2:11: ‘For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men.’
• John 1:16: ‘From his fullness we all received grace upon grace.’
• Hebrews 4:16: ‘Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.’

Have a question about grace? Get in touch, or plan your visit to our weekly meeting.