Grace begins with God's kindness
Grace means receiving good that we haven't earned. Saving grace is not God overlooking sin as though it does not matter. It is God acting to save people who cannot repair their own broken relationship with him.
Paul says that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory, yet those who are made right with God are justified freely by his grace through Christ Jesus (Romans 3:23-24). To be justified means to be declared right with God. The rescue starts with God's generosity, not ours.
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Jesus is the gift of grace
God's grace has a cost, but Jesus bore that cost. At the cross, Christ took sin seriously and showed God's love clearly. Romans says that Christ died for us while we were still sinners, not after we had become worthy (Romans 5:8).
This is why saving grace is centred on Jesus, not simply on trying harder. His death and resurrection open the way for forgiveness and life. Titus describes salvation as resting on God's mercy rather than on righteous deeds we have done (Titus 3:5).
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
It is received by faith
Faith is the open hand that receives God's gift. It means relying on Jesus, trusting who he is and what he has done, rather than presenting God with a record of achievements. Ephesians holds these truths together: salvation is by grace through faith, and it is God's gift, not something a person can boast about (Ephesians 2:8-9).
That trust is personal. John says that those who receive Christ and believe on his name are given the right to become God's children (John 1:12). Faith is more than agreeing that Jesus existed. It is turning towards him with trust.
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.
Grace changes a person's life
Good works do not buy salvation, but grace does not leave a person unchanged. The very next thought after Paul's words about grace and faith is that believers are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has prepared for them to do (Ephesians 2:10).
So a changed life is the fruit of saving grace, not its price tag. Growth may be slow, and Christians still need forgiveness, but God's grace teaches and strengthens his people. If you're wondering whether this gift is for you, Jesus' invitation is wonderfully direct: come to him, trust him, and keep learning from his word.