Saving Grace: A Review of Justification, Sola Gratia, Imputation, and the Heart of the Gospel

Digging Deeper

Saving Grace

Sola Gratia. Grace alone initiates your life with Christ: “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   Yet the work of grace does not stop with forgiveness.  Grace also transforms you, empowering you to mature in Christ.

As you face your own weaknesses, grace gives you the power to remain faithful.  After praying three times to have a weakness removed, Paul was admonished by the Lord “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”   2 Corinthians 12:9   Paul then realized that he would not hide his weaknesses, but rather rejoice in them “so that Christ’s power might rest” on him.  In his humility and dependence on the Lord, Paul learned “when I am weak, then I am strong.” v10

This covenant transformation by grace was prophesied in Ezekiel 36:26-27 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees.”  Grace transforms you from the inside out by reorienting how you understand yourself and your relationship with God.  “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purposes.”  Philippians 2:13

As grace deepens, you realize each step you take is grace-enabled.  You recognize the patience God has had with you so you, in turn, can demonstrate that same patience with others, all while depending on the power of grace to do so.  Forgiveness abounds for others, reflecting the forgiveness you yourself have received.  Humility overcomes prideful judgement as you realize “but by the grace of God, there go I.” Gratitude replaces comparison as you extend gentleness to someone who is struggling. 

Grace also sustains you as you are being transformed into Christ-likeness.   Even when you experience failures, grace reassures you: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  Hebrews 4:16 

Romans 5:20-21 makes an even more amazing claim: “But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”   This is not a license to sin, but a declaration that God’s grace is a far greater power.

This is the testimony of grace you are called to share.  Within the community of believers, Hebrews 10:24-25 describes grace in operation: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

As a disciple of Christ, you are called to share the gift of grace to all you encounter.  Ephesians 4:31-32 commands: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  Paul declares that through faith in Christ Jesus “sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”  Romans 6:14 

Let grace have its full effect on you.  Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”  2 Peter 1:2