The word grace as it relates to that which God bestows upon man in order to save Him, is often said to refer to “unmerited favor.” This is as accurate and efficient a definition as can ever be applied to this term. To illustrate just how this “favor” works, no better example can be applied than salvation as it is the result of grace. Paul said to Titus, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men…” (Titus 2:11). The fact that salvation is given by grace means that it is a gift that no man could ever do enough to earn, or merit. It is far too valuable and outside of man’s physical reach for him to find a means to obtain it on his own. Therefore the only way salvation can be obtained is by grace, meaning God grants it upon man. Obviously then, it is seen that grace likewise is a valuable gift to receive, begging the question then, “How can I receive God’s grace?”
This is where the religious world as a whole is divided. Few argue the fact of grace, the definition of grace, and the result of grace; but there is much disagreement as to how this grace is received. Much of man would advocate the idealistic view that God has already bestowed His grace upon all man without any action on his part, therefore granting a universal salvation regardless of faith, obedience or lifestyle. Their claim is that God is so loving that He would not punish man to condemnation so He has bestowed grace upon all man unto salvation. However, would this theory not contradict such blatant Bible verses as Ephesians 2:8, where Paul stated that in addition to salvation being by grace, that it comes through faith: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God”? If salvation is by grace through faith, then the receiving of grace is contingent upon an individual’s acceptance of the system of faith, or the gospel which is God’s power unto salvation (Romans 1:16). And because much of the world lives outside the faith, then grace would not be granted upon them, not because of a deficiency on God’s part, but on man’s. So the theory of a universal grace regardless of one’s faith or life cannot be the means through which grace can be obtained.
Then another idealistic theory that much of the world, likewise, would cleave unto is the thought that grace is contingent only upon an individual’s faith, referring back to Ephesians 2:8-9. “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.” But likewise, to use these verses to say that grace is received through inward faith with no outer action on man’s part would again contradict such obvious verses as Matthew 7:21, where Christ said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Christ himself says that to receive the gift of grace, being salvation, that more must be done that simply calling on Him as Lord, not to earn salvation, but to have it given. Therefore, similar to the universal grace theory, the idea that grace is received solely based on inner faith to the neglect of outer works is also false.
How then, if not received universally or by mere inner faith, is the glorious gift of grace received by man. Dan Jenkins listed the three concepts that exist in the area of faith and works and then expounded upon the truth by saying, “Some advocate faith without works and the result is dead faith (James 2:17). The Jews had works without faith and the result was dead works (Hebrews 6:1). Heaven’s view is that faith which works through love is the only thing that avails (Galatians 5:6). It is this combination of faith and works that exalts Christ. All others rob him of the glory he deserves. What the world must understand is that to minimize works is to minimize the glory we bring to Jesus.”
What then is the conclusion as to how God’s glorious grace can be received? God offers it freely as a gift because His Son paid the price on the cross, and then it is accepted by the faith through which man becomes “…his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Can works be excluded from man’s reception of God’s glorious grace? No, because by grace through the faith we become God’s workmanship, a working people. Therefore it is the divine combination that God has provided of His grace, the faith He has provided, and man’s working of God’s will that salvation is given and a home in Heaven will be enjoyed.