We commonly define grace as unmerited favor or favor that is not deserved. Thayer says the word grace "contains the idea of kindness which bestows upon one what he has not deserved." Thayer continues by saying that the New Testament writers use the word "pre-eminently of that kindness by which God bestows favors even upon the ill-deserving, and grants to sinners the pardon of their offences and bids them accept eternal salvation through Christ" (page 666).
Man, as God created him, was in the grace and favor of God, but as a result of man's own choice he rebelled against the will of God. The result was: sin entered the world, man was driven from the garden, doomed to die physically and separated from God spiritually (Isa. 59:2).
In spite of man's rebellion God had mercy on His creation and by His grace provided a means whereby man could be saved from the penalty of sin. This was the result of God's great love for man (Rom. 5:8; John 3:16; 1 John 4:10). Jesus gave His life and shed His blood "for the remission of sins" (Matt. 26:18). Jesus did this when man was lost, being unable to offer any kind of sacrifice to God which could take away his sins (Heb. 10:1-4). So, God sent His son "who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree" (1 Pet. 2:24).
Humanity was lost but can now be saved through Jesus. By faith man accepts the salvation which is offered to him by God's grace. This is why Paul can write, "For by grace you have been saved through faith..." (Eph. 2:8). However this salvation does not come at the point of faith only, but when our faith leads us to accept the salvation offered by obeying the conditions upon which it is offered then God saves us. Faith in Ephesians 2:8 is used in its comprehensive sense; including our willingness to believe the facts, trust God to do what He says He will do (remove our sins through the blood of His Son) and our willingness to comply with the terms and conditions God has laid down in His word to receive the blessing offered - salvation. This is why Jesus, our Lord and Savior, said, "I wll tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Lk. 13:3) and "He who believes and is baptized will be saved..." (Mk. 16:16a).
When our faith is strong enough to cause us to "repent and be baptized...in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38) then we are saved by the grace of God and by the gift of God's grace.
Bill Feist