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Answer
As an idiom, the term “saving grace” refers to a “redeeming quality” that renders a person or thing acceptable. However, this differs from its biblical definition. In the Bible, grace signifies “unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification” or “God’s benevolence to the undeserving.” Biblically, “saving grace” denotes God’s grace that brings salvation to an individual.
According to Scripture, grace, the undeserved favor of the Lord, is essential “because no human will be justified in His sight by the works of the Law” «Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. », (Romans 3:20 NASB). The sole means to receive God’s saving grace is through faith in Christ: “But now, apart from the Law, the righteousness of God has been revealed . . . the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe” (Romans 3:21-22 NASB).
Saving grace leads to our sanctification, the process through which God molds us into the likeness of Christ. At the point of salvation, through grace by faith, God transforms us into new creations «Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. », (2 Corinthians 5:17). And He pledges never to abandon His children: “Being confident of this, that He who initiated a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” «being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: », (Philippians 1:6)
We possess nothing within ourselves that will recommend us to God (Romans 3:10-11)—we lack any “saving grace” on our own. Since we are fundamentally unacceptable to God, we inquire, like Jesus’ disciples, “How can we be saved?” Jesus’ response is comforting: “What is impossible with men is possible with God” (Luke 18:26-27). Salvation is the work of God. He provides the grace we require. Our “saving grace” is Christ Himself. His sacrifice on the cross is what rescues us, not our own deserving.
It is tempting to believe that, through our faith, we contribute in some small manner to our salvation. Considering that Christ’s worth must be appropriated to us through faith, and it appears that our faith originates from us. However, Romans 3:10-12 states that none of us seek after God. Additionally, Ephesians 2:8 states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that [faith] not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Hebrews 12:2 mentions that Jesus is the originator and perfecter of our faith. God’s saving grace is entirely His gift. Even our capacity to embrace His saving grace is simply another gift from God.
