1. One of my favorite songs goes like this: "Not by works of righteousness which I have done, but according to His mercy He saved me." Because...
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us. Titus 3:5
2. Did you know that there are more songs written about GRACE than any other subject? Including love? It is estimated that once every minute somebody somewhere in this world writes another song about grace! That's how great grace is.
3. Grace. How shall it be defined? It is impossible. But it can be described! Grace is the love of God poured out upon us in the person of His beloved, and only begotten Son, the Lord, Jesus Christ - Who was taken by wicked hands and crucified and slain upon the cross for us, to redeem us back from sin to God - with His blood. That is the grace that saved us - for that is what it took.
4. And God did all of this for no reason at all - except that He loves us.
But God demonstrates His love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
5. Grace is not based upon any good thing in me. I cannot earn it. It is not based upon my performance. There is nothing I can do to save myself from sin. Grace has nothing at all to do with anything that I am or have. It is not based upon my intelligence, my good looks, my endeavor, my heritage, or any strength at all that is in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; (Romans 7:18) What did I do to deserve this grace in which I stand? Nothing! In fact, I did everything wrong! I sinned.
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). Ephesians 2:5
note: The Good News of the Gospel is not that we "accept Christ," for by our own reason or strength we cannot do that. No one can come to Christ unless the Father, by His Holy Spirit, draws him and gives it to him. (John 6:44-45) But the Good News is that God accepted His Son, Jesus, as the perfect redeeming sacrifice for our sins. The gospel is not man giving his life to Jesus, but that Jesus gave His life as a ransom for us. The gospel is not that we give our hearts to Jesus, but that Jesus gives us new hearts. (Daniel 36:26)
6. Grace is the free gift of God. I am saved by grace and grace alone. Even faith itself is a gift of God's grace to me.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
7. In the Old Testament one of the Hebrew words for grace was "hesed." This word is usually translated as "loving kindness" or "tender mercy." Sometimes it is simply translated as "love." The word "hesed" carries the idea of God's undeserved favor.
8. "Chen" is another Old Testament Hebrew word for grace. It means "kindness" or "favor." But it can also be translated as "empowerment" since favor would tend to empower. Again the idea is undeserved favor.
9. Grace ushers me into the presence of God. My sins have been forgiven. I am accepted by Him, and I am qualified to be there with Him. I am welcome. In fact, He is well pleased with me! I have been justified, and made righteous. Because of this I have peace with God. By God's grace I am empowered to live the life of Christ. I have been chosen, and I am favored, with undeserved favor - forever! Amen!
10. Once I have been saved by grace God has some good works for me to do. And He gives me the power to do them!
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10
11. I will walk in grace, hand in hand with Jesus. I will find out what good works God has made for me to do. And I will live rejoicing every day - because I have been saved by grace! Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus!