"What is the meaning of grace?" Such was the question once put to me. I was but a boy, and my Sunday school teacher was the questioner. I was told to write the answer on paper and bring it to him the next Lord's Day.
At home I took down from my father's bookshelf a large Cruden's Concordance and carefully copied a page or two on "grace." When I handed it to my teacher he put his pen through it all, and said: "Oh, I don't want all that! Grace is free, undeserved, unmerited favor.”
What a wonderful answer! Salvation is by grace alone. "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." Eph. 2:8, 98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9). I am saved, not because I deserved it, nor because I have earned it by my goodness. No, it is by grace, God's undeserved and free favor. I paid nothing for it, nor can you. Furthermore, that salvation is for all. "For the grace of God, which carries with it salvation to all men, hath appeared." (J.N.D. Trans.)
There is then no excuse for a lost soul. Salvation has been brought to every door, as it were. If one will not have it, there is nothing left but judgment for that one.
But God offers freely to all salvation through His Son.