What is grace?
If a Christian misunderstands grace does it affect their salvation?
The answer to this question is “of course”.
If a Christian thinks that God’s grace can be defined as “unmerited favor” they will simply rejoice that they have it simply because they have faith that Jesus is the Messiah.
What if that is not true?
If they do not receive God’s grace simply because they think Jesus is the Messiah how does that affect they’re being saved, “their salvation”?
Do these questions need to be understood to be saved?
This answer again is yes.
Christians possess eternal life because they believe that Jesus is God’s Messiah. They are saved from His wrath against sin only if they humble themselves and do what He says.
Jas 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
If a person receives eternal life as a result of believing that Jesus is the Messiah, over time that faith becomes harder and harder to maintain if they are continually experiencing God’s wrath because of their ungodly behavior or disobedience.
Ro 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
God’s grace has appeared to all people, as the following verse shows.
Tit 2:11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men
However, only those who humble themselves before Him receive Grace from Him and learn to deny the ungodly activity.
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world
A Christian who continues to behave in an ungodly fashion will continue to experience God’s wrath against that ungodly activity, according to Romans 1:18.
This is why it is important to understand that the Bible tells us that God’s grace is not unmerited.
Something can’t be unmerited if a person has to do something to obtain it.
This is the case with grace. We need to humble ourselves and make ourselves subject to God to receive His grace.
1Pe 5:5 ¶ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Submission is the key to receiving grace from God.
In other words, we must obey Him to receive Grace from Him, and the more we obey the more Grace we receive as the term Grow in grace suggests in 2 Peter 3:18.
2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.