Grace: God’s Favor and His Power

Kim Marie
Oct 3
4 min read

Devotional Thought: Grace Is God’s Favor and Power

When we think of grace, we often think of kindness or patience. But biblically, grace is so much deeper. Grace is God’s divine favor—His gift of salvation and blessing we could never earn. Paul says in Ephesians 2:8–9, “By grace you have been saved… it is the gift of God, not of works.”

But grace isn’t only favor—it’s also power. Paul testifies in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Grace is God’s strength working in us through His Spirit. That means when we forgive, when we endure trials, when we walk in love—it isn’t our flesh doing it. It’s the Holy Spirit producing fruit through us (Galatians 5:22–23).

So today, remember: grace is both a gift you receive and a power you walk in. Don’t receive God’s grace in vain. Abide in Christ, rely on His Spirit, and let His fruit flow through your life—so that all the glory goes back to Him.

Grace: God’s Favor and His Power

Introduction

When many of us hear the word grace, we think of kindness, patience, or gentleness. Those are certainly good things, but biblically, grace is so much deeper. Grace is not just what we show—it is first what we receive. Grace is the divine favor of God, freely given, and it is also the divine power of God, enabling us to live as His children.

In 2 Corinthians 6, Paul warns believers not to receive the grace of God in vain. That means grace can be given, but left unused. To understand this, we need to look at what grace really is, how it works in us, and what fruit it produces.

1. Grace Is God’s Divine Favor

Grace begins with God, not with us. Paul makes this crystal clear in Ephesians 2:8–9:“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Grace is unearned. We cannot work for it, buy it, or deserve it. It is a gift of favor that flows from God’s love toward us in Christ Jesus. This is why grace humbles us—it reminds us that everything we have, from salvation to daily strength, comes from Him.

2. Grace Produces Fruit in Us

What comes out of our lives is not grace itself, but the fruit of grace. Paul describes this in Galatians 5:22–23:“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

When we forgive someone, show mercy, walk in humility, or extend patience, those actions are not “our” grace. They are the fruit of God’s grace alive in us. In 2 Corinthians 6, Paul points to forgiveness and reconciliation as key evidences of receiving grace rightly.

Forgiveness especially reveals whether we’re walking in grace. We forgive not because it’s easy or natural, but because God forgave us first (Colossians 3:13).

3. Grace Is Also God’s Power at Work in Us

Grace is more than favor—it is also divine power. Paul shares his own experience in 2 Corinthians 12:9:“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

This shows us that grace doesn’t only cover our failures; it empowers us in weakness. This strength isn’t willpower, discipline, or natural talent—it is the Holy Spirit’s power.

Jesus promised this in Acts 1:8:“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…”

Grace gives us the power to endure trials, overcome sin, forgive offenses, and love in ways that are humanly impossible.

4. Walking in Grace: Abiding in Christ

Jesus said in John 15:5: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

To walk in grace means to abide in Christ, allowing His Spirit to flow through us like life through a vine into the branches. As we do, the fruit comes naturally—not forced, but produced by God.

And as we walk in this grace, we give glory to God because we know it does not come from our flesh, our wisdom, or our strength, but from Him.

Application: Don’t Receive Grace in Vain

So how do we live this out? Paul’s warning in 2 Corinthians 6 is for us, too: don’t receive grace in vain. Grace is not meant to be stored away—it’s meant to flow through us.

Receive God’s favor humbly. Remember salvation is His gift, not your achievement.
Rely on the Spirit’s power. In weakness, call on the Holy Spirit for strength.
Bear fruit that points to Jesus. Let forgiveness, humility, and love mark your life.
Abide in Christ daily. Stay connected to Him in prayer, in His Word, and in obedience.