All of us are given gifts and talents from God. We are expected to do good works as good stewards of the grace of God (1 Peter 4:10, "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God"). Additionally, Parable of the Gold Talents tells us as good stewards to add value (good works) to what God has given us.

It is easy to be deceived that our good works will take care of all things to include our eternal salvation. This is faulty thinking because God is our Creator and ultimately we are governed by His purpose and saved by His grace and not by our works. It is our faith and love in our Lord Jesus Christ that assures us of continuing grace and eternal salvation. Good works have a purpose in serving God and for showing our love for God, but they are not the reasons for our salvation (2 Timothy 1:9, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, “.

God’s grace comes to us on His terms. We cannot bargain with Him and our flesh will at many times be at odds with God’s purpose in our lives. To receive God’s continuing grace we can only surrender completely to our Lord Jesus Christ. We can ask God for mercy, but He will not always take away our infirmities. Like the Apostle Paul, we must learn to glory in our weakness so that the power of God can be magnified in our lives (2 Corinthians 12:8-9, “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me“).

Unless you totally believe that there is no after-life, all people have a desire to go to Heaven and live forever. Because of God’s love for all of mankind He has offered us a free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. If through faith we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we can receive God’s grace of eternal life. This is the only way that any person can have a relationship with God and eternal life. We cannot have God’s saving grace through our good works or being a pretty good person. God’s grace only comes through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: “).

Faith is the cornerstone to receiving God’s saving grace. Our faith and love of Jesus Christ brings God’s grace. Our faith and love in Jesus Christ also brings our willing obedience to serve God. God’s unmerited love, as expressed through Jesus Christ, births a faith in us that enables us to receive God’s saving grace. Just like a loving son, our renewed relationship with our Father strengthens our love for Him where we will willingly do anything in His name and in obedience to Him (Romans 1:5, “By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:”).

Unlike God’s love, God’s grace is conditional. On the other hand just like love, God offers grace to everyone. The difference between God’s love and saving grace is that grace is only given to ones that have faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Through their faith, Christians can rejoice because of the grace God has given to them (Romans 5:2, “ By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God”). Through God’s grace our relationship with God is restored for eternity.

ROMANS 5 BIBLE SCRIPTURE Romans 5:2, “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

God’s saving grace is offered to all men because of God’s love for all of mankind. Jesus came on this Earth to save mankind, not to condemn us. Our eternal salvation can only come through God’s grace. Not by chance or luck or fate or of our own will. By accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior we can enjoy God’s grace that is offered to all mankind (Titus 2:11, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,”).

TITUS 2 BIBLE SCRIPTURE Titus 2:11, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,”

The Bible is very clear that once you are a born again Christian this does not mean that you will always be a born again Christian. You have assurance of salvation because of God’s promises and your faith. At the same time you can by choice remove yourself from God and His salvation. You do that by returning to your sin and disobedience and not continuing in the grace of Christ (Galatians 1:6, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:”).

Psalms 84:11. As a shepherd, God is the giver of grace and glory to His good sheep. If we are His good and faithful sheep, we will not go lacking. All God asks is that we have faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior If we doubt the truth of Jesus or try to do things on our own without God, we will go lacking. We must truly believe in our heart that God will provide for all of our needs. He is our provider and protector.

Hebrews 11:6. We must have faith that God is the source of all our needs and rewards. We must want to please God, have the right motives, and believe in his promises. Many times when things that we desire are within reach we do not rely on God. We will rely too much on our own skills and resources.   We start thinking that it is our wisdom, power, or riches that are supplying all of our needs. We ignore and have unbelief that God gave us wisdom, power, and riches.