Biblical Q&A – How Do Christians Acquire More Grace?
2 Corinthians 12:9: “…My grace is sufficient for you…”
In this week of “The Inevitable Truth’s Biblical Q&A” we explore how grace operates in the life of a believer. What is it? And how can one obtain grace and more grace?
What does “grace” mean?
Who has not discussed spiritual matters or salvation and not heard the term “grace” mentioned? At least in Christian circles, the most common definition is “unmerited favor.” But that really doesn’t do it justice. Indeed, we understand the unmerited portion. Biblical believers concur that salvation has nothing to do with man’s efforts. But what exactly does the term “favor” imply?
As we’ll see, “grace” is really God’s unique power. What’s fascinating is what that force accomplishes.
Many religions depict grace in ways significantly different from Biblical Christians.
In Catholicism, grace is received through the sacraments, such as baptism, confession, and communion.
Islam considers the concept of divine mercy and favor, referred to as “Rahma” (mercy) or “Baraka” (blessing), which is acquired through righteous deeds, sincere repentance, and submission to Allah’s will.
In Hinduism, grace can be viewed as “anugraha,” a divine favor or blessing. It is often seen as coming from a deity and can be sought through devotion (bhakti), meditation, prayers, rituals, and the guidance of a guru.
Buddhism does not directly conceptualize grace like theistic religions, as it is generally non-theistic. However, the concept of “karuna” (compassion) could be comparable, emphasizing interdependent and compassionate actions cultivated through practices such as mindfulness, meditation, the Eightfold Path, and the Four Noble Truths.
In summary, while the term “grace” and its acquisition differ across religions, it often embodies a sense of divine mercy, compassion, and a path to salvation and spiritual growth. The critical difference is in its acquisition—God’s unmerited blessing vs. man’s efforts to acquire grace.
God’s grace comes in two formats—common grace and saving grace.
The Bible defines common grace, available to everyone, in verses like Matthew 5:45, which announces, “For He makes his sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” His saving grace, which is also efficacious even after the moment of salvation, is specific to God’s chosen and is heralded in verses like Romans 3:23-24, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Outside of redemption, it is mentioned in verses such as 2 Timothy 2:1: “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
God’s grace, then, includes not only His unlimited power but His gracious goodness in two amazing versions.
Grace, as it pertains to Christians, can be viewed through the prism of the believer’s timeline.
There are four unique and sequential segments in the life of a believer—unsaved, saved, sanctified, and glorified. You can read more about these divisions in my Substack article here.
Even though chosen, before our salvation, we live a life lost and outside the will of God.
At some point, those elected respond to an effectual call and are then redeemed. This operation, although simultaneous and instantaneous, comprises several components, including:
regeneration, whereby our dead souls are reborn;
conversion through the gifts of faith and repentance;
justification, where we are declared righteous in Christ;
reconciliation, where there is an end to our enmity with God and
adoption, where we are inducted into the family of God as a joint heir with Christ.
The next stage, sanctification, entails the time after a believer’s redemption and before glorification.
Finally, there is glorification, which occurs either upon death or the rapture when believers are united unto the presence of God forever and ever.
In a very real sense, grace is present at all stages of a believer’s life.
How does one acquire grace and more grace?
Grace is the effectual means of salvation as expressed in Ephesians 2:8-9, which states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” It is also the unmerited power of God as explained in 2 Corinthians 9:8, whereby “…God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” Other examples of additional grace pertain to godly attitudes such as James 4:6, which vows that He “gives grace to the humble,” 2 Peter 1:2 which pledges that “grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,” Hebrews 4:16 which promises grace “to help in time of need,” and 2 Corinthians 12:9 which assures “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Stated differently, God bestows His supernatural power to bring about salvation and then freely extends more grace in the Christian walk, enabling believers to become more and more Christ-like.
Just as God’s salvation empowering grace is a result of His loving kindness, so too is His sustaining grace given freely for sanctifying growth in the lives of every believer.
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When asked if she were in a state of Grace (a trick question), Joan of Arc made the perfect response.