Part 4: How to Receive God’s Grace

A Simple Yet Profound Question

If grace is a free gift, how do we receive it? Can we do anything to get more of God’s grace? The answer is both simple and life-changing.

Through Faith in Jesus Christ

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.”
“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.”
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.”

Notice the words “through faith.” Grace is the gift, faith is how we receive it. Like a gift under a Christmas tree with your name on it - it’s yours, but you must reach out and take it.

Romans 5:1-2

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
“Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

“Access by faith into this grace” - faith is the door through which grace enters our lives. Without faith, grace remains available, but it is not received.

What is this faith? Simply believing and trusting:

That Jesus is who He said He is
That He died for your sins
That He rose from the dead
That His sacrifice is enough

The Requirement of Humility

James 4:6

“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’”
“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

This verse contains both a promise and a warning:

Promise: “He gives more grace” - there’s always more available
Warning: “God resists the proud” - pride blocks grace

Pride says, “I don’t need help. I can handle this myself. I’m good enough.” Humility says: “I need You, God. I can’t do this alone. Have mercy on me.”

Luke 18:13-14

“And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
“But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

The tax collector received grace because he admitted his need. The Pharisee, trusting in his own righteousness, went home empty.

Through Prayer and Seeking God

Hebrews 4:16

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
“Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.”

Look at those action words:

“Come” - we must approach God.
“Obtain” - we receive when we ask.
“Find” - we discover grace when we seek.

The throne of God is called a “throne of grace.” Not a throne of judgment for believers, but grace. We can come boldly, not because we’re perfect, but because Jesus made the way.

When do we come? “In time of need.” When is that? Always. We always need grace.

Living by Faith, Not Performance

Romans 11:6

“And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.”
“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”
“And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.”

This is crucial: grace and works don’t mix. Either God gives freely (grace) or we earn it (works). It cannot be both.

Many Christians try to earn more grace by:

Being better Christians
Doing more good deeds
Sinning less
Praying more

But grace doesn’t work that way. We don’t receive more grace by being better; we become better by receiving more grace.

Galatians 3:3

“Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?”
“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”
“Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh?”

We begin by grace through faith. We continue by grace through faith. We finish by grace through faith.

Through Surrender and Obedience

Titus 2:11-12

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.”
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age.”

Wait - doesn’t this contradict what we just said about works? No. We don’t obey to receive grace; we obey because we’ve received grace. Grace teaches us and empowers us to live godly lives.

Surrender means:

Giving up control to God
Stopping our efforts to save ourselves
Yielding to His will
Trusting His ways over ours

Through the Word of God

Acts 20:32

“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”
“And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”
“Now, brothers, I entrust you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

The Bible is called “the word of His grace.” As we read Scripture, we encounter the grace of God. As we meditate on God’s promises, faith grows. As faith grows, we receive more grace.

2 Peter 1:2

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”
“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.”
“Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”

Grace is multiplied through knowledge of God. The more we know Him through His Word, the more we experience His grace.

The Beautiful Paradox

Here’s the amazing truth: The very faith we need to receive grace is itself a gift of grace.

Ephesians 2:8 (NKJV) - “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”

Even our ability to believe is a gift of God’s grace. We can’t boast about having faith because faith itself is His gift.

Why Some Don’t Receive

If grace is freely available, why don’t all receive it?

Pride blocks it - “I don’t need God’s help”
Self-righteousness rejects it - “I’m good enough on my own”
Unbelief refuses it - “I don’t believe this is real”
Guilt questions it - “I’m too bad for grace”

The last one is particularly sad. Some feel too sinful for grace, not understanding that grace is specifically for sinners.

1 Timothy 1:15

“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”
“The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”

Paul, who called himself the chief of sinners, received grace. No one is too far gone.

The Application to Our Lives

Understanding how to receive grace changes how we relate to others:

If humility is required for grace, we cannot be proud toward others.
If faith is the channel for grace, we cannot judge those with weak faith.
If grace comes through seeking God, we should encourage others to seek Him too.
If grace cannot be earned, we cannot look down on those who fail.

A Daily Receiving

Receiving grace isn’t a one-time event. It’s a daily, moment-by-moment process.

Lamentations 3:22-23

“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
“It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
“It is because of the LORD’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his mercies don’t fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.”

Every morning, new grace awaits. Every moment, grace is available. We receive it through:

Simple faith: “Lord, I trust You”
Genuine humility: “Lord, I need You”
Earnest prayer: “Lord, help me.”
Surrender: “Lord, I yield to You”

Prayer

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank You that receiving Your grace is not complicated. You haven’t hidden it or made it difficult. You offer it freely to all who will simply believe and humbly receive.

Forgive us for the times we’ve tried to earn Your grace through our works. Forgive us for the pride that sometimes blocks Your grace. Forgive us for not coming boldly to Your throne of grace when we need help.

Lord, increase our faith. We believe; help our unbelief. Give us humble hearts that quickly admit our need for You. Remove any pride that says we can handle life on our own.

Teach us to come to You constantly, knowing that Your throne is a throne of grace. Help us to seek You through Your Word, where grace is revealed and faith is built.

Father, help us to extend to others the same simple path to grace that You’ve given us. May we never make grace seem hard to receive. May we never add requirements You haven’t added.

Thank You that Your grace is new every morning. Thank You that it’s available right now, at this very moment, for anyone who will receive it by faith.

We surrender to You. We trust You. We need You. And we receive Your amazing grace with grateful hearts.

In Jesus’ name, through whom all grace flows, Amen.