83. Grace Given
1 Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ.
By definition, grace is free. By definition, grace is a gift. Giving grace is a redundancy unless it is possible to withhold grace. Of course grace is given for free; it is unearned and undeserved. If grace should be withheld, or not given, then the benefits of grace will have to be earned or worked for. In fact, grace has been earned by Jesus Christ on the cross; He has earned the favor of God for us; now God grants favor and undeserved grace for us for free on account of the Christ who earned it.
The grace of God is given to me by Jesus Christ. The statement that grace is given implies that it is a quality, an entity, a substance, a power, or a force. Indeed, it is. But grace is not an empowering force that gives a person the ability to do good works and so earn salvation by those works. No, the grace itself is sufficient and by itself earns salvation. Grace saves; grace does not need the addition of good works done by the individual in order to effect salvation and forgiveness. Grace is all.
It should be noted, however, that grace is in fact a force or power that does prompt and empower a person to do good works. The completed grace received does motivate and prompt the person to do good works. The works are not the means of salvation but the evidence of completed grace received. We do not see grace, but we do see the fruit in the lives of those who have received grace.
This saving grace is poured out into empty vessels that are capable of receiving it. God wants to give His grace and salvation to all people, but those who are already full of themselves have no room to receive it. Thus, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble [1 Peter 5:5].” Those who are empty and needy and admit their guilt and sin are able to receive grace. A little bit of grace saves, but it is also possible to grow in grace and receive more grace. This is done by repentance and faith in the Gospel: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” Like Paul, we also thank God for the grace of God given us by Jesus Christ. We live by this promise.