Grace is a word characteristic of Christianity. No other religion knows it. It has a broad meaning—it is unmerited favor and power to do God's will. This blessing given for our regeneration or sanctification is also explained as a virtue coming from God or a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine assistance.

Practically all the Pauline epistles start with this kind of phrase: “Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:3). This same expression is repeated in several letters. It was a kind of regular salutation that introduced the apostle's messages. In 1 Timothy 1:2, he says: “Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father, and Jesus Christ our Lord.”

John declares that “of his [Christ's] fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:16, 17).

What is God's purpose with His grace bestowed upon sinners?

In his letter to Titus, Paul explains: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:11–14). God's purpose in the whole plan of salvation, which is an eternal covenant of grace, is full restoration of His character in His sinful children.

Peter confirmed that we need to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

“In giving us the privilege of studying His Word, the Lord has set before us a rich banquet. Many are the benefits derived from feasting on His Word, which is represented by Him as His flesh and blood, His spirit and life. By partaking of this Word, our spiritual strength is increased; we grow in grace and in a knowledge of the truth. Habits of self-control are formed and strengthened. The infirmities of childhood—fretfulness, willfulness, selfishness, hasty words, passionate acts—disappear, and in their place, are developed the graces of Christian manhood and womanhood.” 1

“Before the foundations of the earth were laid the covenant was made that all who were obedient, all who should through the abundant grace provided become holy in character and without blame before God by appropriating that grace, should be children of God.

“We owe everything to grace, free grace, sovereign grace. Grace in the covenant ordained our adoption. Grace in the Saviour effected our redemption, our regeneration, and our adoption to heirship with Christ.” 2

Peter declared that “grace and peace” are multiplied unto us through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord (2 Peter 1:3). He echoes the words of Christ uttered in His intercessory prayer before going to Gethsemane and Calvary: “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3).

“He who does not climb the ladder of progress and add grace to grace “is blind, and cannot see afar off.” He fails to discern that without taking these successive steps in ascending the ladder round after round, in growing in grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, he is not placing himself in a position where the light of God above the ladder is reflected upon him. As he does not add grace to grace, he has forgotten the claims of God upon him, and that he was to receive the forgiveness of sins through obedience to the requirements of God. He is in the position of a sinner before God. If he has the graces of Christ he will exercise and increase them, but if he does not bear fruit in good works to the glory of God he remains in a state of blindness and ignorance, self-indulgence, and sin. He “cannot see afar off.” His eyes are fastened upon the earth, not on God above the ladder.” 3

Then the entire process of our salvation depends on God's wonderful grace. Paul summed it up when he wrote: “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” (Ephesians 2:8, 9).

On accepting God's saving grace depends our present and eternal life. Many refuse salvation because it comes from God's grace. But there isn't any other option. Grace or grace. We must be thankful to God who provided by His grace everything we need to be restored to His original purpose with humanity.

“To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18, last part).