Grace is the scandalous gift nobody earns but everyone needs desperately.
Faith is the empty hand that dares to receive what pride insists on rejecting.
Together they form Christianity’s most offensive proposition: you contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin requiring it.
This enrages religious people who want credit for their goodness.
It offends moral people who’ve worked hard to be decent.
It confuses everyone trained to believe effort equals reward.
John Newton, a former slave trader who wrote “Amazing Grace,” understood this collision between human pride and divine mercy. “I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior,” he said near death.
Not “I was a sinner but reformed myself.” Not “Christ helps those who help themselves.” Just brutal honesty about his wretchedness, meeting stunning grace.
That’s the only honest starting point. You’re worse than you think, and grace is better than you imagine.
Grace Provides What Faith Receives
Grace is God’s part. Faith is ours.
Grace accomplishes salvation through Christ’s death and resurrection. Faith simply accepts this finished work without adding human effort or merit.
This isn’t passive belief requiring nothing. It’s active trust that abandons self-reliance and clings exclusively to Christ’s sufficiency.
Grace makes the offer. Faith opens the hand to receive.
Neither works without the other in God’s salvation design.
Both are gifts, yet faith responds to grace’s initiative, trusting what God freely gives rather than earning what you could never afford.
Bible Verses About Faith And Grace
1. Ephesians 2:8-9 – By Grace You Have Been Saved Through Faith
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
New International Version (NIV)
Salvation comes through grace received by faith. Neither grace nor faith originates from human effort or deserving.
2. Romans 3:23-24 – Justified Freely by His Grace
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
New International Version (NIV)
Universal sin requires universal grace. Justification comes freely, not earned through righteous living or religious performance.
3. Titus 3:5-7 – Saved Us Through the Washing of Rebirth
He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
New International Version (NIV)
Salvation explicitly excludes righteous deeds as contributing factors. Mercy and grace alone accomplish redemption.
4. Romans 5:1-2 – Access by Faith Into This Grace
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
New International Version (NIV)
Faith provides access to grace’s standing position. Both work together securing peace with God.
5. Galatians 2:16 – Not by the Works of the Law
Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
New International Version (NIV)
Law-keeping cannot justify anyone. Only faith in Christ accomplishes what religious effort never could.
6. 2 Timothy 1:9 – Saved Us and Called Us
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.
New International Version (NIV)
Grace existed before creation, planned in eternity. Human actions played no role in God’s saving purpose.
7. Romans 11:6 – If by Grace, Then It Cannot Be Based on Works
And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
New International Version (NIV)
Grace and works are mutually exclusive categories. Mixing them destroys grace’s essential nature as unearned favor.
8. Hebrews 11:6 – Without Faith It Is Impossible to Please God
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
New International Version (NIV)
Faith is the prerequisite for pleasing God. Coming to Him requires believing His existence and His reward.
9. Romans 4:4-5 – To the One Who Does Not Work
Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.
New International Version (NIV)
Work earns wages. Grace gives gifts. Faith receives what work could never earn.
10. Galatians 3:11 – The Righteous Will Live by Faith
Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”
New International Version (NIV)
Law-reliance fails to justify. Righteous living flows from faith, not from law-keeping.
11. John 1:16-17 – Grace Upon Grace
Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
New International Version (NIV)
Grace keeps replacing grace in continuous supply. Jesus brought grace and truth together.
12. Acts 15:11 – Through the Grace of the Lord Jesus
No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.
New International Version (NIV)
Salvation comes through grace alone, equally for all. No one earns it differently.
13. Romans 5:20-21 – Grace Increased All the More
The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
New International Version (NIV)
Grace always exceeds sin’s increase. Where sin abounds, grace superabounds beyond measure.
14. Ephesians 1:7-8 – The Riches of God’s Grace
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding.
New International Version (NIV)
God lavishes grace richly, not sparingly. Redemption and forgiveness flow from His abundant favor.
15. 2 Corinthians 12:9 – My Grace Is Sufficient for You
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
New International Version (NIV)
Grace proves sufficient for every need. God’s power works best through acknowledged weakness.
16. Titus 2:11-12 – The Grace of God Has Appeared
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.
New International Version (NIV)
Grace saves and teaches. It transforms behavior while offering universal salvation.
17. Hebrews 4:16 – Approach God’s Throne of Grace
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
New International Version (NIV)
God’s throne dispenses grace, not condemnation. Believers approach confidently for timely help.
18. Romans 3:28 – Justified by Faith Apart From the Works of the Law
For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
New International Version (NIV)
Faith alone justifies. Law-works contribute nothing to right standing before God.
19. Galatians 2:21 – I Do Not Set Aside the Grace of God
I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!
New International Version (NIV)
Law-righteousness nullifies grace. Christ’s death proves works cannot save.
20. Romans 1:17 – The Righteous Will Live by Faith
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
New International Version (NIV)
Faith begins, continues, and completes Christian life. It’s faith from start to finish.
21. Ephesians 2:4-5 – Because of His Great Love
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
New International Version (NIV)
God’s love motivated grace. He acted when you were spiritually dead, unable to help yourself.
22. 2 Corinthians 8:9 – Though He Was Rich, Yet for Your Sake He Became Poor
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might be rich.
New International Version (NIV)
Christ’s voluntary poverty demonstrates grace. His loss became your gain spiritually.
23. Romans 4:16 – By Faith, in Order That It May Be in Accordance With Grace
Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.
New International Version (NIV)
Faith accords with grace perfectly. This combination guarantees promises to all believers.
24. Galatians 5:4 – You Have Fallen Away From Grace
You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
New International Version (NIV)
Law-justification attempts abandon grace. You cannot mix the two approaches.
25. Hebrews 11:1 – Faith Is Confidence in What We Hope For
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
New International Version (NIV)
Faith provides confident assurance. It treats invisible realities as absolutely certain.
26. Romans 10:9-10 – If You Believe in Your Heart
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
New International Version (NIV)
Heart belief and mouth confession together constitute saving faith. Both elements matter.
27. Acts 4:33 – Great Grace Was Upon Them All
With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all.
New International Version (NIV)
Grace empowered apostolic testimony. God’s favor worked mightily through them.
28. 1 Peter 5:10 – The God of All Grace
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
New International Version (NIV)
God possesses all grace in Himself. He restores and strengthens after suffering ends.
29. 2 Corinthians 9:8 – God Is Able to Bless You Abundantly
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
New International Version (NIV)
Grace provides abundant blessing. God supplies everything needed for good works.
30. Romans 6:14 – You Are Not Under Law But Under Grace
For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
New International Version (NIV)
Grace, not law, governs believers. This position breaks sin’s mastery.
31. James 2:17 – Faith by Itself, If It Is Not Accompanied by Action, Is Dead
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
New International Version (NIV)
Genuine faith produces action. Dead faith accomplishes nothing and saves no one.
32. 1 Corinthians 15:10 – By the Grace of God I Am What I Am
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
New International Version (NIV)
Paul attributed everything to grace. Even his hard work flowed from God’s empowering favor.
33. Hebrews 13:9 – It Is Good for Our Hearts to Be Strengthened by Grace
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so.
New International Version (NIV)
Grace strengthens hearts. Religious rituals provide no spiritual benefit.
34. Romans 10:17 – Faith Comes From Hearing the Message
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
New International Version (NIV)
Faith develops through hearing God’s word. The message about Christ generates saving belief.
35. Jude 1:4 – Who Pervert the Grace of Our God
For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
New International Version (NIV)
Grace can be perverted into license. True grace never encourages sin but transforms behavior.
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Faith And Grace
Grace and faith work inseparably in salvation.
Grace is God’s unmerited favor accomplishing redemption through Christ.
Faith is the human response to receiving what grace offers.
Neither earns salvation.
Grace provides it freely.
Faith accepts it humbly.
Scripture explicitly excludes human works from salvation to protect grace’s essential nature as unearned favor.
If works contributed even partially, salvation would become wages owed rather than gifts given.
Grace would cease being grace.
The moment you add “but you must also” to God’s grace, you’ve destroyed it completely.
Faith itself is a gift preventing anyone from boasting about superior believing ability.
You don’t generate faith independently, then use it to access grace.
God grants both grace and faith, so salvation belongs entirely to Him from beginning to end.
This enrages pride but comforts honest sinners who know they bring nothing valuable to the transaction except desperate need.
Grace saves completely.
Faith receives gratefully.
Works follow naturally as evidence, never as payment.
Say This Prayer
Father, I confess I’m worse than I want to admit, and grace is my only hope. Thank You that salvation doesn’t depend on my goodness but on Christ’s finished work. I receive by faith what I could never earn through effort.
Help me rest in grace instead of striving to prove I’m worthy. Let me live gratefully, not guiltily. Transform my behavior through Your power, not my performance. Keep me from perverting grace into license or adding works that nullify its freeness.
In Jesus’ Gracious Name, Amen.