even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2: 5-9

Grace is undeserved favor that cannot be earned. It is freely given to us by God that we may be saved through Jesus Christ. Grace is God’s favor upon those who have transgressed (sinned) against Him. Through sin, we become spiritually dead, but by grace we are made alive.

Only God can save us; we cannot save ourselves. This is so that we are all on equal ground, that no one person can have an advantage over another.

In Rom 5:1-15, Paul talks about being “justified.” That means that our sins are covered and God does not hold them against us. Jesus also allows us to come to Him and and through faith brings us into God’s presence.

Jesus died for us while we were sinners. There is nothing we can do to earn His love and grace. Jesus gave us those things freely when He gave His life on the cross (Rom 5:6-11).

But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:15-21

Through one man (Adam), we inherited sin, which seems like we are doomed. However, through another man (Jesus), we have the gift offered of eternal life! Everyone is capable of receiving this salvation. It might seem unfair to be automatically born with sin, but it’s also unfair to not have to pay the consequences for our actions. Jesus took the blame and punishment on Himself when He died on the cross. And because of Him, we are justified, once and for all, and can inherit eternal life!

Sin leads to death, but grace leads to life! We are born sinful, but we can all inherit eternal life by being willing to receive God’s grace and forgiveness. Can we all take a moment to thank God?