What does it mean that God's grace is in spite of our sin?

The concept of grace being in spite of our sin is foundational to sovereign grace theology. It emphasizes that God's favor and love towards us are not contingent on our actions or moral standing. In David’s narrative, we see that even as he fell into serious sin, God's grace reached him not because of any righteousness in David, but solely based on God's mercy and love. Ephesians 2:8-9 states that we are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast. This highlights the unmerited nature of grace. It reassures believers that no sin is so great that it cannot be forgiven through the atoning work of Christ. It empowers believers to walk freely in faith, knowing they are loved and accepted despite their failures, which encourages them to strive for holiness without the fear of losing their standing before God.