The Gift of Grace

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” — Ephesians 2:8-9 (NRSVUE)

Grace. It’s a word we’ve heard often enough. It can be used to address royalty, to describe someone who moves with elegance, or to refer to the prayer we say before a meal. But for Christians, grace holds a deeper, sacred meaning. It is not just a word—it is the heartbeat of our salvation, the gift of God that meets us where we are and calls us into new life.

In Christian theology, grace is the unmerited favor of God. It is not earned, deserved, or achieved—it is given. Grace is the means by which we are saved, not because of our works or righteousness, but because of God’s love poured out through Christ. It is grace that justifies, sanctifies, and sustains us. Grace is the bridge between our brokenness and God’s wholeness.

John Wesley described grace as a house. We begin on the porch—that’s prevenient grace, the love that seeks us before we seek God. We step through the door—that’s justifying grace, where we are forgiven and made right with God. And we live in the house—that’s sanctifying grace, the ongoing work of the Spirit shaping us into Christ’s likeness.

Grace is not just the entry—it’s the architecture of our life with God. Every room is built on love, and we are invited to dwell there, growing in holiness and compassion.

To live by grace is to live with open hands and a softened heart. It means receiving God’s love not as a reward, but as a gift—and letting that gift shape how we love others. Grace invites humility, because we cannot boast. Grace invites compassion, because we have been forgiven. Grace invites hope, because it is never exhausted. And grace invites us to extend what we have received—to offer patience, mercy, and kindness to those around us, not because they’ve earned it, but because God’s love flows through us. In every moment, grace whispers: “You are loved. You are being made new. So love others as I have loved you.”

This is the grace we are called to live—freely received, freely given.

Gracious God, thank you for the gift of grace—unearned, undeserved, yet freely given. Help us to receive it with humility and joy. Let your grace shape our hearts, our words, our lives. Teach us to extend grace to others—not out of obligation, but as a reflection of your love in us. May we become vessels of your mercy in a world that longs for healing. And may we never forget that grace is not a concept, but a gift of your love. Amen

Peace & Grace,

Pastor Tim