Finding Grace

The Bible uses an interesting phrase in Genesis 6:8: “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” That word “found” is worth noticing. If someone finds something, it usually means they were looking for it. Noah lived in a dark and sinful generation, yet he found grace with God.

We live in a time when people are searching. Some are searching for peace. Some are searching for meaning. Some are searching for relief from guilt, shame, or failure. Others try to prove they are good enough for God. But what every person truly needs is grace.

Grace is often described as God’s unmerited favor. It is receiving from God what we do not deserve and could never earn. Some have said grace is “God’s riches at Christ’s expense.” That is a simple way of saying that every blessing of salvation comes to us because of what Jesus Christ has done, not because of what we have done.

This is where Christianity stands apart from every other religion. Many people live under the pressure of whether or not they have done enough. Have I prayed enough? Have I given enough? Have I attended church enough? Have I been good enough? The gospel does not begin with what man has done for God. It begins with what God has done for man through Jesus Christ.

Titus 3:5 says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.” We are not saved because we deserved it or earned it. We are saved because Jesus died for our sins, rose again, and made a way for us to come to God.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Salvation is a gift. No one will stand before God and brag about how much he contributed to his own redemption. Jesus paid the price. Jesus did the work. Jesus opened the door.

But that does not mean grace leaves a person unchanged.

The very next verse, Ephesians 2:10, says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” We are not saved by good works, but we are saved unto good works. Grace does not merely forgive us and leave us as we were. Grace changes us. Grace teaches us to walk differently, speak differently, live differently, and follow Christ.

Some think if salvation is by grace, then obedience does not matter. Others think if obedience matters, then salvation must be earned. The Bible teaches neither extreme. We are saved by grace through faith, and real faith responds to God.

Faith is not just agreement in the mind. It is trust that moves the heart and life. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” There is a response to grace. We believe. We call. We repent. We come to Christ. We receive what He has freely provided.

James 4:6 says, “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” Pride keeps people from receiving God’s grace. Humility says, “Lord, I need You. I cannot save myself. I need mercy. I need forgiveness. I need help.”

Hebrews 4:16 gives this wonderful invitation: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Where do we find grace? We find it at the throne of grace. We find it when we come to God honestly, humbly, and boldly through Jesus Christ.

Maybe you are facing a mountain today. Maybe it is sin, discouragement, addiction, family trouble, or a burden too heavy to carry alone. Do not pretend you are strong enough to handle it. Come to the One who gives more grace.

Zechariah 4:7 speaks of crying, “Grace, grace unto it.” There are times when we need to speak grace over the mountain in front of us and believe that God is able to help us.

Grace is not an excuse to do nothing. Grace is God’s power and favor helping us become what we could never become on our own. As one old saying puts it, “Pray as though it all depends on God and work as though it all depends on us.”

If you do not know Jesus Christ, grace is available to you today. If you have drifted from Him, more grace is available. If you are burdened, or unsure where you stand with God, come to the throne of grace.

Come visit us. Hear God’s Word, worship with believers, and discover the grace of God that is still changing lives through Jesus Christ.