For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him (John 3:16-17).

What is the difference between love and grace? Love is affection. Grace is provision. Grace is a gift from a loving heart. Grace shows the love of the one who gives it and prompts love in the one who receives it.  

God’s love is different from ours in that it is not prompted by our love. His love originates solely from his heart because none of us loved him before he loved us, and none of us could do anything to deserve his love. 

Our thoughts, words, and actions gave God just cause to condemn us. So, the love he has for us is unconditional. He loved us while we were yet sinners.

When God expressed unconditional love by giving Jesus to save us from the condemnation our sins deserved, that was grace – amazing grace! Such favor cannot be earned; it can only be received by trusting Jesus’ sacrificial provision was for you.

So, grace and love are vitally connected, but grace is the gift of God’s love that prompts our love. God’s love causes us to love him. His grace causes our gratitude. Then, our love and gratitude make us desire to live for him, since his love and grace provide for us to live eternally with him. 

We live every day in thanksgiving, when we remember, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life!”

Prayer:
Father, thank you for the gift of your Son. Help me every day to believe the grace your love provided to save me from the guilt and penalty of my sins so that I might live and love in eternal gratitude.