Grace Is More Than a Concept

Grace is one of the most cherished words in Christian language etched on bookmarks, stitched into wall art, and declared from pulpits with passion. Yet grace, though adored, is often misunderstood. We speak of it often, but how many of us truly grasp what it is?

Many of us treat grace like spiritual pocket change. Something God hands out in pieces as much as we need, when we need it. But grace is not a commodity. It's not a quality. And it's not a distant benevolence. Grace is a Person.

The Danger of Disconnected Grace

In Scripture, we find two errors that distort grace into something it is not. One is the legalist’s error where grace is minimized by the weight of religious performance. Paul warned the Galatians that those seeking justification by law had “fallen away from grace” (Galatians 5:4). The second is the antinomian's misstep those who twist grace into permission to sin (Jude 4).

Both camps mention grace. Both claim to rely on it. But in truth, grace in both cases is misunderstood, either ignored or abused.

And here’s the surprising thing: both often treat grace as a thing God gives rather than the gift of Himself. Legalists want grace plus effort. Antinomians want grace minus obedience. But neither realizes that grace is not an impersonal power. Grace is Jesus.

Grace in the Beloved

When Paul describes the source of our salvation, he writes, “[God] has blessed us in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6). Every spiritual blessing we receive justification, sanctification, glorification is in Christ. Not from Him like a package in the mail, but in Him, through union with Him.

As Michael Reeves put it, “The word grace is really just a shorthand way of speaking about the personal and loving kindness out of which, ultimately, God gives himself.”

Grace is sap from the True Vine (John 15:1–5), light from the Light of the world (John 8:12), warmth from the eternal Bridegroom (Ephesians 5:25–27). Grace is the outflow of the very presence of Jesus with us.

Justification: Grace That Covers All

Legalists may recite, “By grace you have been saved,” but still functionally live as though justification depends on spiritual performance. When Bible reading feels dry or prayer lags, we fear we've slipped out of favor.

But if grace is in Christ, then justification is not a matter of spiritual consistency. It’s a matter of union. And if we are united to Christ by faith, we have His righteousness as our own (1 Corinthians 1:30). Even in our lowest moments, we wear His perfection like a robe (Isaiah 61:10). We don’t merely receive help we receive Him.

Sanctification: Grace That Transforms

On the flip side, some resist the idea that grace demands change. But again, this comes from misunderstanding what grace is.

Romans 6 makes it plain “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means!” (Romans 6:1–2). Why? Because when Jesus rose, He pulled us into a new life with Him. Grace isn’t just pardon it’s power. Resurrection power.

If grace is Jesus, then grace comes with His holiness. We cannot be joined to Him and remain unchanged. But here’s the freedom: we don’t strive for sanctification on our own. We walk with Him, and His Spirit works within us. Yes, we fight sin. Yes, we strive. But every step is soaked in grace (1 Corinthians 15:10).

Glorification: Grace That Will Finish the Work

And it doesn’t stop there. The same grace that justified and sanctifies will also glorify. Paul writes, “Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13). The day is coming when grace will complete what it started.

In the twinkling of an eye, our bodies will be transformed (1 Corinthians 15:51–52). We will be like Him (1 John 3:2). And forever, we will be awash in the “immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). Every breath in the new heaven and earth will echo His grace.

No Grace Without Christ

This changes everything.

If grace is Christ, then we are not looking for a boost from heaven or a heavenly nudge toward holiness. We are looking to a Savior who joins us to Himself who justifies us by His own blood, transforms us by His presence, and secures our future by His victory.

John Calvin said it well: “Let us drink our fill from this fountain, and from no other.” (Institutes 2.16.9)

Grace is not a thing. Grace is a Person. Grace is Jesus.

And in Him, we lack nothing.

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