What is Grace?
by Kelly Salbato

What is Grace?

Grace is a supernatural gift of God bestowed on us through the merits of Jesus Christ for our salvation.

"And he said: "This is why I said to you, "No one can come to me unless he is enabled to do do by my father" (John 6:66)

a) Grace is a favor, a free gift, granted to us though we have no claim to it. God grants us graces because He is good, not because we deserve them. God grants us graces for the sake of His Son, Who died on the cross to earn for us these
graces; we men can never merit these graces.

"All have sinned and have need of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption which is in Christ" (Rom. 3:23-24)

What is Sanctifying Grace?

Sanctifying grace is that grace which confers on our souls a new life, that is, a sharing in the life of God Himself.

a) By sanctifying grace, our souls are made holy and pleasing to God. It is an abiding or permanent grace, which we gain by baptism, and lose only by mortal sin. By Adam’s sin all mankind lost the friendship of God; that is, we are born in original sin, without sanctifying grace. Our Lord’s death won back sanctifying grace for us; it is granted freely at Baptism.

A soul to whom God grants "sanctifying grace" receives not merely a gift from God, but God Himself. He receives a new life, a new nature.


What are The Chief Effects of sanctifying grace?

a) First, it makes us holy and pleasing to God.- When we are in possession of sanctifying grace, we are free from mortal sin; the two cannot dwell together.

Although free from mortal sin, we do not, with sanctifying grace, become free from the remains of sin. Everyone feels the human inclination to sin, against which the struggle is life long.


b) Sanctifying grace, however, although it does not cure us of the weakness of the flesh, strengthens our will, so that for us the war against sin becomes easier.

c) It makes us adopted children of God. With sanctifying grace, the Holy Spirit enters our soul. "For whoever are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God." (Rom 8:14)

d) It makes us temples of the Holy Spirit. - Sanctifying grace bring the Holy Spirit to dwell in us as in a temple. "For you are the temple of the Living God." (2 Cor 6:16)

e) It gives us the right to heaven. When we are in sanctifying grace, we are inspired to do good works. The Holy Spirit does not sleep within us, but expands our heart with His Grace, and urges our will to do good. And as we are adopted children of God, such actions become meritorious for heaven. "We are the sons of God. But if we are sons, we are heirs also; heirs indeed of God, and joint heirs with Christ" (Rom 8:16-17)

Why is Sanctifying Grace necessary for salvation?

a) Sanctifying grace is necessary for salvation because it is the supernatural life, which alone enables us to attain the supernatural happiness of heaven.

b) One cannot gain any merit for heaven as long as he is not in sanctifying grace, what is termed "In the state of grace." Without sanctifying grace one cannot enter His Kingdom.