Grace

Grace has been described as "undeserved favor". The Greek word translated "grace" in the New Testament almost always comes from a root word meaning to be cheerful or calmly happy. Grace brings calm.

“And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.”

(Matthew 8:24- 26)

Jesus Christ is the source of grace:

“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

(John 1:17)

It is by grace and not works that people are saved from sin:

“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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

(Ephesians 2:8-10)

Religions that teach otherwise are perverting the gospel:

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.”

(Galatians1:6-7)

God's children (those who have been saved by grace through faith) have free access to the throne of grace:

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

(Hebrews 4:15-16)

Grace never gives freedom to sin:

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

(Romans 6:1-2)

We are not to frustrate God's grace. "Frustrate" in this context means to set aside, violate, or neutralize. When someone frustrates God's grace in this manner, they are in effect saying that Christ's death on the cross was worthless. Anyone who is following a "works religion" is frustrating God's grace.

“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”

(Galatians 2:21)

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”

(Hebrews 2:9)

Our speech is to be gracious:

“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

(Colossians 4:6)

The very last words of God in the Bible are about grace. This puts a great emphasis upon grace:

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

(Revelation 22:21)