Series 2 - Lesson 11 - Annotation 20
What is the "saving grace" of God?
20. The word grace stems from the Latin gratus, meaning "beloved" or "dear." And in a very real sense the "saving grace" of God is the "saving love" of God. Grace dwells in the soul of man by virtue of his son-of-God heritage; the action of the love of God takes place in man by virtue of the son-of-God consciousness.
Paul spoke extensively of grace; Jesus Christ, of love. Grace is favor, kindness, mercy, love. The love of God implies the forgiveness of God in all situations, circumstances, conditions. It is the power within man that saves him from the effects of his past false thinking, feeling, and acting when he turns from the limited to the unlimited wisdom and love of God. Love enables man to see himself and all other men as sons of God, heirs to good and only good.
To be really "saved" by the saving grace or love of God, we have to be "saved" or made safe, redeemed, in our thinking (conscious phase of mind), our feeling (subconscious phase of mind), in our body, in our actions, from every tendency toward sin, and the effect of past sin (missing the mark of perfection). We have to be "saved" from all belief that there is a power opposing God; from all belief in duality in every area of our being.
The "saving grace" of God is the forgiving love of Jesus Christ active in mind, body, and affairs. Through this activity we are freed into love and justice, and thence into right action. The "saving grace" of God is never imposed upon man; rather it is a gift to the son of God, the Christ or I AM, who speaking through Jesus Christ said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John l4:6).
In order for God's love to be "grace" we have to respond to it, as brought out in our lesson. God's love is always there but we experience its greatest benefits only as we consciously accept it. The Prodigal Son is an excellent example of man's acceptance of the "saving grace" of God. (See Lessons in Truth Lesson 11 Annotation 9; How I Used Truth Lesson 8 Annotation 7.)
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Preceding Entry: Give five affirmations that will help to quicken one's faith in divine justice.
Following Entry: What is love as related to God? -Show how love functions as a faculty in man.
