Saving grace – What is it?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The phrase “saving grace” does not appear in the Bible, but it is a helpful way of summarizing the Bible’s teaching about how God saves people. Grace refers to God’s undeserved kindness, and thus saving grace describes His gift of salvation to those who do not deserve it. That is, salvation is not based on works but entirely on God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8–9).

In the Old Testament, God’s grace was seen in His choice of Israel, in His willingness to forgive sin, and in the atonement provided through sacrifice (Exodus 33:19; Isaiah 30:18). In the New Testament, this grace is revealed fully in Jesus Christ, who came to save sinners and accomplished redemption through His death and resurrection (John 1:16–17; Romans 3:24).

The Bible teaches that this saving grace is received by faith, never earned, but always freely given by God (Romans 5:15–17; Titus 2:11). It not only secures forgiveness but also transforms believers, teaching them to live godly lives as they await Christ’s return (Titus 2:12–13).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Saving grace is the term used to describe God’s unearned kindness in rescuing sinners from judgment and granting them life with Him. While the exact phrase does not appear in the Old Testament, the concept is present whenever God intervenes to deliver His people because of His mercy and covenant love. Saving grace, then, refers specifically to God’s work of redemption, as distinct from His general favor in creation or His patience toward all humanity (also known as “common grace”).
• This grace is first seen when God showed undeserved favor to individuals. Some examples include Noah who “found favor in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:8), and Abraham who was called to be the father of many nations simply because God graciously chose him (Genesis 12:1–3).
• The picture of saving grace is also evident in God’s relationship with Israel. For example, when the LORD rescued the Israelites from Egypt, it was not because they deserved salvation but because He loved them and was keeping His promises to them (Deuteronomy 7:7–8). Notice that it was God’s kindness that brought rescue. Likewise, since He knew that they would continue to sin, He provided a way to have their sins forgiven through sacrifices (Leviticus 16:30). Those sacrifices never fully removed the Israelites’ sin, but they illustrated God’s undeserved grace, preparing them for Jesus’ arrival.
• The prophets knew that greater saving grace was coming. Speaking of Israel’s ongoing rebellion, Isaiah said, “the LORD waits to be gracious to you” (Isaiah 30:18). That is, God was waiting for the right time to send His Messiah and display the fullness of His grace. At that time, salvation and forgiveness would no longer be temporary.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• In the New Testament, “saving grace” refers to God’s free gift of salvation. It is grace that rescues sinners from the penalty of sin and gives them eternal life through Jesus Christ. While God does extend a general type of common grace to everyone, allowing them to enjoy this world, saving grace is limited to those who receive it by faith.
• The New Testament explains the reason that saving grace is needed. Humanity is described as spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1–3), enslaved to sin (Romans 6:17), and incapable of earning righteousness before God (Romans 3:10–12). Therefore, all men and women are in the hopeless state of deserving death (Romans 6:23a). The only way that fate can be escaped is if God extends grace, providing a solution for our sin.
• Saving grace is embodied in Jesus Christ. John wrote that “grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). That is, Jesus is God’s saving kindness. By His death, Jesus bore the penalty of sin, and, by His resurrection, He secured new life for all who believe. Paul said that believers “are justified by [the Father’s] grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). Saving grace, then, refers to undeserved salvation being given as a gift (Romans 6:23b).
• Because saving grace cannot be earned, receiving it requires faith (Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 3:24). When one does, he or she is saved and counted as righteous (Romans 4:5). However, saving grace does not stop there. Paul said that God’s grace “has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness” (Titus 2:11–12). Therefore, God’s grace continues working in the believer’s life to slowly transform him or her to be actually righteous like Jesus.
• So, saving grace refers to the idea that God saves men and women despite their sin by satisfying His justice against His Son. Because of this, saving grace is a source of ongoing assurance. Believers stand so secure in grace (Romans 5:2) that Paul could say, “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). From beginning to end, salvation is entirely by God’s grace, and this is why it is referred to as “saving grace.”

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Saving grace means that your hope of salvation does not rest in what you do or how you act, but in God’s kindness to you in Christ. What a humbling thought! No one can claim to have earned salvation, nor can he or she boast in their ongoing lives of obedience. Instead, everyone who is truly saved is only saved because God extended His grace.

If you are in Christ, allow this thought to bring you peace. You will not lose your salvation because it wasn’t yours to begin with. It was a gift graciously given by God to you. Because God intends to bring you across the finish line, you can rest knowing that He will sustain you until the end.

At the same time, saving grace does not mean to just sit back and let God change you. Instead, we are called to actively put off who we were and to put on righteousness. We cannot do that on our own, and that is why God continues to give us grace. He is helping us to obey by teaching and guiding us. He wants us to pursue holiness and to love others.

If you have never received this saving grace, then you are currently hoping against hope that you will be saved. The promised result of your rejection of God’s gift is eternal separation from God. However, until you die, God continues to extend that free saving grace. Receiving it means repenting of sin and trusting in Jesus, the source of salvation. When you do, you will experience God’s saving grace first hand!

UNDERSTAND

• Saving grace is God’s unearned favor that brings sinners to eternal life through Jesus.
• Saving grace is received by faith, not earned.
• Saving grace assures salvation and sustains believers until Christ returns.

REFLECT

• How does understanding that your salvation is entirely by God’s grace affect the way you view your relationship with Him?
• In what areas of your life do you struggle to rely on God’s grace rather than your own effort?
• How have you responded to God’s saving grace?

ENGAGE

• How does the truth of saving grace impact our understanding of God’s character?
• How can we help others recognize and receive God’s saving grace in a world that emphasizes earning and achievement?
• How does saving grace shape the way we respond to failure, sin, or guilt in our own lives?