Grace is essential for salvation because it reflects God's unmerited favor, assuring us that we cannot earn or deserve His love through our works.
Grace, as defined in the context of salvation, is the unmerited favor of God towards sinners. It emphasizes that salvation is entirely a work of God and not based on human effort. Ephesians 2:8-9 highlights this: 'For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.' This underlines that without grace, we would remain in our spiritual poverty, unable to approach God. God's grace assures us that He receives us not based on our merit but solely on His love.
Scripture References:
Ephesians 2:8-9, Ephesians 2:5, II Corinthians 6:10, Mark 10:52, Ephesians 2:8, Romans 10:20, Hebrews 12:28-29, Romans 4:16, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Romans 11:5-6, 1 Corinthians 1:31, Titus 3:5, Romans 5:21, Romans 3:10, Luke 15:4-7, Romans 5:6, Romans 9:15-16, Ephesians 1:7, Luke 18:13, Galatians 2:21
Commentary