Saved by Grace!

“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:1-10   

When you are granted something you don’t deserve, when you gain something you don’t merit, when you receive something you didn’t purchase - you are the recipient of grace. Grace is far more than love, far more than mercy. Love is an emotion which is the foundation of God’s dealing with men. Mercy is God’s compassion for me. Grace is God’s unmerited, undeserved, unpurchased favor granted to men through the person and work of Christ.

Those who appreciate God’s grace most are usually those who have come to realize their awful, sinful condition and understand that without the grace of God they would never get a glimpse of heaven. But by God’s grace, their sins are forgiven, and heaven is theirs.

John Newton was just such a man. His life had driven him into a ruthless and debased trade, and he was seemingly without a conscience. Sailing his slave ship through an angry storm, Newton gave way to the undeniable grace of God and became one of history’s great preachers. His hymn “Amazing Grace” is known around the world, and its words convey the mystery of God’s amazing grace.

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound! That saved a wretch like me!”