Grace is defined as unmerited favor because it is given freely by God, not based on human merit or works.
Grace is fundamentally understood as unmerited favor from God. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, '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 passage clearly indicates that salvation is a gift and not something we can earn or deserve through our actions. In the Reformed perspective, grace highlights God's sovereignty in choosing whom He will save, further emphasizing that our human effort has no bearing on His divine grace. Therefore, we recognize that all blessings come from God's mercy, not our works, reinforcing that our salvation is wholly dependent on Christ's finished work.
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