Have you ever wondered, “what is grace?” Have you ever asked, “what are the types of grace?” Grace is something we cannot live without! Grace cannot be purchased nor earned.
But grace is a concept that many struggle to understand. What is God’s grace?
If you have asked yourself what is grace in the Bible, this article should help clarify things! It will provide the Biblical meaning of grace and look at scriptures on grace and love.
Also, this article will cover the importance and benefits of grace in Christian life. Get excited as you learn how to demonstrate Biblical grace to the world!
And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. – 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)
Related: Ten Reasons You Should Study the Bible
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What is Grace?
Grace can be a confusing term. After all, have you ever wondered, “what is the definition of grace?” Mirriam-Webster defines grace as “unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification.”
God relates to us through divine grace. The grace of God is a gift! It’s given regardless of whether we deserve it or not. God’s grace is so magnificent that we can never earn it!
The definition of grace given in secular terms leaves us to believe that grace only relates to us getting to Heaven. The Biblical definition of grace shows us that grace is how God reaches us!
Grace is a gift given to us by God because of His unconditional love. It could also be considered special help from the Holy Spirit. This “help” is used to enlighten, inspire, and guide us!
And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” – Exodus 34:6 (NIV)
Related: Build an Intimate Relationship with God
The Importance of Grace
You might be asking yourself, if grace is a free gift, what is the importance of grace? What can you gain from understanding the grace of God?
#1. Grace Helps Us Understand the Character of God.
God created us because He wanted to live in communion with us. He created us in love.
However, we sinned. Through grace, we are reunited with God! Grace shows God’s unconditional love in that He made a way to save us!
Grace enlightens us to the character of God!
#2. Grace is Central to the Gospel.
Jesus coming to Earth as man is grace! Grace is when God made a way to sanctify us through Jesus Christ.
Jesus was a living example and an eternal form of God’s grace! The Gospel is all about grace!
Grace inspires us to become disciples of Christ Jesus.
#3. Grace is Vital in Becoming Christ-like.
None of us can be Christ Jesus. Grace is what pushes us to transform our hearts, minds, and souls.
We can model the lifestyle that Jesus Christ provided for us through God’s grace. It is through grace that the Holy Spirit works within us.
Grace guides us through the Holy Spirit.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. – Romans 3:23-24 (NIV)
Related: Continue Growing Closer to God
The Benefits of Grace
God has plans for us, and these are GOOD plans! Everything we do should be from a place of joy, peace, and love! Living in grace is NO different!
We clearly see the Holy Spirit in action with grace, and we get some pretty awesome benefits as the recipients of grace!
Let’s look at some clear benefits visible regardless of which type of grace you are experiencing!
#1. Grace Brings You Closer to God.
The many forms of grace bring us into a closer relationship with God! It is His way of reaching us! Everything the Holy Spirit does for us is from a place of grace.
#2. Grace Creates Peace Within Our Lives.
Grace provides comfort, healing, and a sense of calm! All of these attributes lead to peace in life!
#3. Grace Leads Us to Thanksgiving.
Have you ever wondered what does it mean to “give grace,” meaning the prayer we say before eating? To give thanks or thanksgiving is another word for grace!
Having grace in our lives means that we live with thanksgiving in our hearts!
All of this is for your benefit so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. – 2 Corinthians 4:15 (NIV)
Related: Build a Closer Relationship with God
The Types of Grace
There are many different types of grace in the Bible. We will examine fifteen of them more closely.
#1. Common Grace
Common grace is the grace that is freely given to all of humanity whether we acknowledge God or not. We see this grace in nature and everyday life. It is the most easily recognized form of the grace of God in the Bible!
He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate – bringing forth food from the Earth: – Psalms 104:14 (NIV)
#2. Prevenient Grace
Prevenient grace prepares our hearts and minds to hear and receive the Word!
The definition of prevenient grace is the Holy Spirit working within and around us. As explained in John 6:44, we cannot come to know Christ without this grace.
You can experience this type of grace through nature, modeled faith, prayers, a life event, or a sermon that speaks directly to you!
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last of days. – John 6:44 (NIV)
#3. Preached Grace
Preached grace is the bringing of the Gospel to the world! This grace has the power to transform hearts, families, and even countries!
It is grace because it is only through the spiritual calling of the Holy Spirit that we have the opportunity to hear the Gospel!
All over the world, this Gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. – Colossians 1:6 (NIV)
#4. Saving Grace
Saving grace is the fact that Jesus Christ came to Earth and died for us. Some refer to this as justifying grace or forgiving grace.
Have you ever asked yourself, “what does God’s grace mean?” THIS is it! Grace came through Jesus Christ, meaning He died for our sins!
You are saved by the grace of God!
To the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves. In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. – Ephesians 1:6-7 (NIV)
#5. Grace of Acceptance
Jesus Christ exemplified the grace of acceptance when He willingly came to Earth to die for us. In doing this, He accepted God’s will.
The grace of acceptance is when we come to the point of accepting our weakness and our absolute need for God. A believer’s testimony is a living example of the grace of acceptance.
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. – Philippians 2:6-7 (NIV)
#6. Sanctifying Grace
What is sanctifying grace? We all seek to be made holy by sanctifying grace, meaning we want to go to Heaven! Sanctifying grace makes this happen!
It enables us to be Christians and cleanses us!
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. – Titus 2:11 (NIV)
#7. Adopting Grace
Adopting grace is the beautiful moment when we became a part of God’s family. This grace transforms our motives for living for God.
We no longer strive to avoid Hell by adopting grace but live FOR GOD instead. We are transformed on the inside and adopt a new way of life!
For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love, He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with His pleasure and will. – Ephesians 1:4-5 (NIV)
#8. Provisional Grace
Provisional grace is a transformation in our understanding of material possessions. The provisional grace definition in the Bible states that everything we have is from God. He has provided for us! Our “worldly possessions” are from God and belong to God.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. – James 1:17 (NIV)
#9. The Grace of God’s Presence
God’s presence is another beautiful symbol of grace!
Through salvation, you are able to dwell in God’s presence! You pass through grace and emerge in God’s presence! If you have ever experienced this, you know it is a place you never want to leave!
But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and His grace to me is not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them- yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. – 1 Corinthians 15:10 (NIV)
#10. Sustaining Grace
As you grow closer to God, you will realize the peace and hope provided in sustaining grace! This is another definition of sufficient grace. Sustaining grace is to live in the fullness of God’s will, meaning you know He will provide!
Sustaining grace allows you to leave worries behind and lean fully on Him! He will take care of you! He will give you all that you need! You no longer have to carry burdens alone!
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
#11. Enabling Grace
Enabling grace is the spiritual gift of grace that allows us to do things we thought we couldn’t! It is the physical manifestation of our spiritual gifts!
Through the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to do the works of God! We can see that when we are not living in God’s grace, meaning we are not receiving the blessings of God, we are not living out our gifts!
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. – Romans 12:6 (NIV)
#12. Serving Grace
As you come to know your spiritual gifts, you will find yourself living in a place of serving grace! It is through this kind of grace that you experienced prevenient and preached grace!
The Bible instructs us to “administer God’s grace,” meaning we are to pass it on to others!
Find your spiritual calling! Use your gifts to uplift the church and build the Kingdom of God! As you do this, you will grow closer to God!
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. – 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
#13. Glorifying Grace
Glorifying grace is the process by which we conform to the image of God! This is the manifestation of our gifts and the teachings of the Word!
One gift we receive is being able to shed our old clothes and renew ourselves in the glory of God!
And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all- how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? – Romans 8:30-32 (NIV)
#14. Miraculous Grace
Miraculous grace is another example of God’s grace. We know it’s miraculous because it is full of miracles!
We can see miraculous examples of grace in the Bible! To an extent, they even happen today! Grow close to God to see His miraculous work in the lives of those who love Him.
Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. – Acts 6:8 (NIV)
#15. Eternal Grace
As you work through the glorious types of grace, you will find that you end at eternal grace.
The Bible says that we can “live full of grace,” meaning we can live with God. Through God-given grace, we can spend eternity in Heaven!
Therefore, the promise comes by faith so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring – not only those who are of the Law but also those who are of the faith of Abraham. – Romans 4:16 (NIV)
Related: Grow Close to God Each Day
How to Find Grace
Where is grace in your life? Do you know how to receive God’s grace daily? Here are step-by-step instructions on how to find grace yourself.
Step #1. Admit You Need Grace.
Stop trying to do it all on your own! Pray to God admitting you need grace and ask God to provide it! Accept the promise found in God’s special graces, and you’ll see that your faith is a grace – of one kind or another!
Step #2. Pursue Grace.
You cannot sit back and wait for grace as you would for an Amazon package! It isn’t going to knock on your front door! You must actively pursue grace!
Listen to podcasts, watch a sermon on unlimited grace, attend worship services, join a small group, or do a Bible study on grace! Connect with God regularly, and grace will make much more sense.
Step #3. Put Grace Into Action.
The best way to keep grace a part of your daily life is to give it away! Consider the amazing ways you can show God’s grace to others through volunteering!
Share God’s grace with others, get involved at church, live out your spiritual gifts, and then you will understand God’s purpose for grace!
But to each one of us, grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. – Ephesians 4:17 (NIV)
How to Demonstrate Biblical Grace
Graceful Language- This means to speak gently! You can do this if you clean up your language and your tone of voice!
Graceful Interest- Show a genuine interest in the lives of those around you! The effects of grace can leave lasting impressions!
Graceful Thanks- Practice gratitude in your life! You could even keep a gratitude log in your journal! You can also give thanks to others for their impact on your life!
Graceful Servitude- Volunteer and get involved in the needs of others! Use your spiritual gifts!
Graceful Responses- Have you ever had someone hurt you or speak ill of you? Respond with grace and God’s love!
Graceful Forgiveness- Be quick to forgive others! Do not keep a record of wrongs or hold grudges!
Graceful Presence- Is there someone you know going through a difficult time? Provide them with your presence and help! Be there with compassion when they need you!
Graceful Admission- Be quick to say, ‘I am sorry,’ when you are wrong! Admitting your faults and weaknesses is a great example of God’s grace in your life!
So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the messages of His grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders. – Acts 14:3 (NIV)
Related: Prayers to Use When Someone Hates You
More Grace Resources
If you are still looking to learn more about grace, we suggest the following resources! Grab a FREE copy of our 15 Types of Grace PDF. https://sharinglifeandlove.com/product/15-types-of-grace-pdf-printable/
What’s So Amazing About Grace? – If you wonder why we need the grace of God, this book will provide you with the answer! It reveals the amazing benefits provided to us through God’s grace!
Grace Is Greater: God’s Plan to Overcome Your Past, Redeem Your Pain, and Rewrite Your Story is an awesome kickstart to renewing your life in Christ! We all have past hurts, habits, and hangups that we need to overcome! Use this book and the 12-step program Celebrate Recovery to become everything God has intended you to be for your life!
The Theology of John Wesley: Holy Love and the Shape of Grace brings together old theology with modern practices! It shows us the beauty and connection between God’s love and His grace!
Bible Studies On Grace
God’s Grace – 6 Ways to Understand Its True Meaning will take you deeper into the meaning of grace.
How Grace Works will give you more knowledge on the Christian definition of grace and how to apply it in your life!
You can also watch this sermon on grace to understand even more about how God’s grace rewrites the story of your life!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Types of Grace are Found in the Bible?
This question is highly debated. Some sources say two, others say three, and some say there are five types of grace. All types of grace relate to God’s grace. Almost any “gift” from God can be seen as grace because we can do nothing to deserve His love!
What are the Characteristics of Grace?
A fun acrostic for the characteristics of grace is G for generosity, R for respect, A for action, C for compassion, and E for the energy we receive in the Spirit. Every type of grace can relate to these characteristics in your daily life!
What is God’s Grace?
God’s grace is a gift that we do not deserve and cannot earn. God’s grace gives us our salvation and eternal life with Him. You might feel God’s grace as “everyday nudges” you feel or through your study of the Bible! God’s grace is His Holy presence in our lives.
What Does Grace Do for Us?
Grace enlightens us through a relationship with the Lord our God, inspires us through salvation in Jesus Christ, and guides us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Grace is an all-encompassing gift! That grace allows us to live in the fullness of God’s glory while on Earth!
What is the Difference Between Grace and Mercy?
Mercy is the act by which God forgives us and does away with the punishment we rightfully deserve for our sins. Grace is the act by which God gives us undeserved rewards and blessings within our lives!
Conclusion
You now understand what grace is, have seen many examples of grace in the Bible, and how to apply grace to your life. You should now have helpful tips for the types of grace you receive according to the Bible. What is grace is no longer a difficult question!
You now know that you were given the free gift of God’s grace. In the Bible, we learn that we are able to live out the fullness of the Gospel! As you develop a closer relationship with God, your life will define Biblical grace!
You are now equipped to demonstrate grace to others! Share with us the amazing ways you are doing this and how grace has changed your life!
Can you tell us more about grace in your life? We would love to hear from you, so leave a comment!
May God continue to bless you in His amazing grace!
