When Christians hear the word grace, they assume they know the definition of it. Most will say grace means unmerited favor. But this definition is only words in the mind. When people sing the song Amazing Grace, I'm convinced they know not of what John Newton wrote about.
Christians tend to view grace as gifts from God that they do not deserve. But grace is much more than just getting things from God. Here is Newton's definition;
The Divine Providence, which is sufficient to deliver us in our utmost, is equally necessary to our preservation in the most peaceful situation". [The Works of John Newton, Vol 1, The Banner of Truth Trust, pg 34]
I'm convince beyond any doubt that the Church today needs to grab hold afresh of that definition of Grace. We have become proud, and have found that we only need God in the difficult times. But the reality is we need God at all times.
Many would like to seperate grace from election. Everyone loves grace, yet most hate election. Just as faith and repentance are linked together, so are grace and election. And these four links (faith, repentance, grace & election) are chained together and indivisible.
The Old Timers knew that, but it has mostly been forgotten today. John Bunyan knew the place of God's grace in salvation.
Therefore, this would stick with me, How can you tell that you are elected? And what if you should not? How then?O Lord, thought I, what if I should not, indeed? It may be you are not, said the tempter; it may be so, indeed, thought I. Why, then, said Satan, you had as good leave off, and strive no further; for if, indeed, you should not be elected and chosen of God, there is no talk of you being saved; "For it is neither of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy" [The Works of John Bunyan, Vol 1, The Banner of Truth Trust, pg 13]
Bunyan then had an idea come to him. Search the Bible and see if ever one was in his state that trusted in the Lord, for if he could find such a one, there was then hope for him. Bunyan searched for over a year, and could not find such a one.
After this, that other doubt did come with strength upon me, But how if the day of grace should be past gone?Now was I in great distress, thinking in very deed that this might well be so; wherefore I went up and down bemoaning my sad condition, counting myself far worse than a thousand fools, for standing off thus long, and spending so many years in sin as I had done; still crying out, Oh, that I had turned sooner;[ibid pg, 14]
Bunyan understood man's utter dependence on God's grace to be saved, yet many today are making deals with God when they get saved.
God does not play "Lets make a Deal"! God's only deal is repent or perish.
except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish [Luke 13:3]
Whether a person gets saved or not is in God's hand, yet man is accountable if he rejects God.
Thus rather than coming to Jesus on our terms, I think it best we call out like that publican;
God be merciful to me a sinner. [Luke 18:13]
We cannot give ourselves even one tiny bit of credit for our salvation. It is entirely because of God's grace. [Born Slaves, pg 25, abridged version of The Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther, 1525]