There’s more to Grace

 

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. – Colossians 1:1-2 (NIV)

Several New Testament writers, particularly Paul, would begin or end their letters with the blessing of grace.

When it comes to an explanation for grace, two verses taken from Ephesians chapter two are often quoted.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

Grace is, therefore, the medium through which God has effected the salvation of all believers. We do nothing to earn or warrant such a gift, it is the degree of favour, God determined to extend to all who have faith in His Son Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour.

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. – Titus 2:11 (NIV)

Grace has come to signify the unmerited favour of God to us human beings.

But there’s more to grace. Ephesians 2:8 & 9 are the familiar verses but there is another verse that sums it all up.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. – Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

Looking at this verse, it may seem to contradict the preceding verses as it says that we are created in Christ Jesus to do good works yet just before, we are told that we aren’t saved by works. It is certainly not a contradiction.

The good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do aren’t of our own doing and the works, so that no one can boast in verse 9 are of our own doing (read Romans 4).

God is the One who equips us with more than enough grace to accomplish the good works of verse 10. Everything we do must be based on and rooted in this gift of grace. The grace of God can overcome any limitation or shortcoming.

Grace takes us from the realm of limitation and works to the realm of no limitation and good works which is the realm of heavenly power.

Paul had a limitation. Three times he pleaded for God to remove it, but God did not, instead He told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV). Then Paul wrote,

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Grace is not only the unmerited favour of God, grace is also an empowerment from God.

We are completely incapable of doing good works without the empowerment of grace. Attempting to do works apart from God is engaging in works of the flesh which do not operate effectively.

It is very important for us to apprehend the empowerment of grace we have been offered through Jesus Christ.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. – Romans 5:1-2 (NIV)

There’s more to grace, as grace also enables the believer to persevere in the Christian life.

Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. – Acts 20:32 (NIV)

Additionally, grace can refer to the capacity for the reception of divine life.

Regarding this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace [of God] that was intended for you, searched carefully and inquired [about this future way of salvation], seeking to find out what person or what time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He foretold the sufferings of Christ and the glories [destined] to follow. – 1 Peter 1:10-11 (AMP)

Beloved, grace is not merely a one-time gift of God that secures your eternal salvation, there’s more to grace as it is the proverbial gift that keeps on giving.

Grace empowers you to do good works and enables you to persevere and gives you the mental, physical and spiritual ability to receive, experience and maintain your salvation throughout your life.

And now,

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you... (2 Corinthians 13:14 NIV)

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “There’s more to Grace” © 2026 October 12, 2026