Does the Bible Really Define Grace as Unmerited Favor?

We are dealing with whether the Bible warrants calling God’s grace unmerited favor. Closely related to that is the issue of whether being undeserving is necessarily the same as being without merit.

The norm among evangelical preachers and evangelical churches is to call God’s grace unmerited favor. A simple Google search will yield promotion of that definition from the likes of Billy Graham, John MacArthur, David Jeremiah, and many others.

There are multiple definitions in English dictionaries of the word “unmerited.” Though there are definitions of unmerited which don’t necessarily rule out conditions, there are also definitions which include words like unjustified, groundless, and unwarranted. Unmerited can even mean not fulfilling the conditions set forth for things like a reward, title, or status.

With these things in the equation, calling God’s grace “unmerited favor” like many do would have to be misleading if the Bible teaches that there are conditions for obtaining God’s grace.

Does the Bible teach then that God’s grace is offered without conditions? Absolutely not. The grace which people received in the Biblical illustrations, though not deserved, was not obtained irresistibly nor unconditionally nor without any merit.

Abraham separated from the idolatry of his people and left his native country to go into Canaan at the Lord’s command. He would not have obtained grace otherwise.

The Bible directly says why Moses obtained grace in Hebrews 11:24-26: “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.”

Ruth obtained grace because she chose to leave the idolatry she was raised in and rather worship the true God with her mother-in-law Naomi in the nation where His worship was centered at the time. Naomi’s other daughter-in-law Orpah did not obtain God’s favor like Ruth did. They each made choices, expressed by deeds, which were the determining factor in whether they obtained grace or not.

Some might claim that things are different in the New Testament after the New Covenant was ratified in the blood of Christ. No. The Apostles illustrated obtaining God’s grace through people in the Old Testament.

The Apostle Paul, right as he spoke of how he was undeserving of God’s grace, also spoke of how he responded in accordance with the expectations that accompany it so that it became effectual for him.

1 Corinthians 15:9-10: “For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

Paul also exhorted others to not receive God’s grace in vain.

2 Corinthians 6:1: “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.”

You just have to keep reading in 2 Corinthians to see that heeding this exhortation involves deeds of disassociation from spiritual darkness, restitution of past wrongs, and overall making choices to do what is right in God’s eyes going forward.

God’s grace is obtained through faith. Faith must be active since really believing in the Lord means taking Him at His Word and walking in agreement with Him. This must be expressed through deeds.

That is what we find in the examples of faith given for us in Hebrews chapter 11. Noah and Abraham are just two examples of this among many examples cited there.

Hebrews 11:6-8: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.”

To say that there is no merit involved in the type of faith which is required to obtain grace is misleading. It could only be otherwise if it is made absolutely clear that meeting the conditions to obtain grace is necessary; and this is not the same as working to earn a legal standing which makes one deserving of justification in God’s sight.

The question here is not whether anyone deserves God’s grace. No one does. He gives grace to those who are subject to His Word through a living faith. This can’t be working to earn one’s salvation since it is not grounds for anyone to boast. Meeting the conditions for grace does not make one deserving as if they did not need grace. People who actually meet the conditions for grace are practically acknowledging themselves to be undeserving. Otherwise, they would surely not bother to meet the conditions at all. People who do not meet the conditions are presumptuous when they consider themselves to be under grace- no matter what they say about themselves.

The Bible is clear that sanctification (i.e disassociating from sin to serve the Lord on the terms of His Word) must indeed accompany justification. You cannot be washed in the blood of Christ while serving the devil.

Titus 1:16: “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate (or, disapproved).”

John 8:39: “They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.”

As many natural descendants of Abraham in the Bible (and to this day) wrongly assume they are in God’s favor because of Abraham, though they do not walk in the faith of Abraham and thereby bring forth a righteous product, many Christians wrongly assume they are in God’s favor because of Jesus- even though they do not obey Him and bring forth a righteous product. Both are critically deluded.

Luke 3:7-9: “Then said he (John the Baptist) to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”

Just keep reading to know that there were actions which the people had to take in forsaking sin and doing right in the Lord’s eyes in order to bring forth good fruit to avoid being chopped down and cast into the fire. John made it clear to them that they would have no warrant to hope in the Messiah without this. It is no different now. There is ageless logic in why John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way for Jesus.