Dr. Nilo H. Flores – Business for Christ

Dr. Nilo H. Flores

August 27, 2026

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
— Ephesians 2:8 (KJV)

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your amazing grace.

Thank You that when I was lost in sin and unable to save myself, You provided salvation through Jesus Christ.

Father, help me understand what Your grace truly means. Keep me from trusting in my own goodness, religious activities, achievements, or good works.

Teach me to rest completely in what Christ has done for me.

Help me appreciate the price Jesus paid at Calvary and the wonderful salvation You freely offer to sinners.

May Your grace humble me, strengthen me, and motivate me to live faithfully for You.

Help me show grace to other people just as You have shown grace to me.

Give me opportunities to share the Gospel with those who need to hear about Your saving grace.

In the precious name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I pray.

Amen.

Introduction

Yesterday, we learned that Jesus Christ is the only Way.

Today, we continue with another essential truth about salvation:

Salvation is by grace.

The word grace is one of the most beautiful words in the Christian faith.

Grace tells us that God gives us something we could never earn.

We were sinners.

We were separated from God.

We could not save ourselves.

We could not make ourselves righteous.

Yet God did not leave us without hope.

He sent Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:8–9 gives us the foundation:

“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.”

These verses make the Gospel wonderfully clear.

Salvation is by grace.

Salvation is through faith.

Salvation is God’s gift.

Salvation is not earned by works.

What Does “Grace” Mean?

Original Greek Study

Greek Word: χάρις
Transliteration: charis
Pronunciation: khar’-ece

The Greek word χάρις (charis) is commonly translated as grace.

It carries the idea of:

• Grace
• Favor
• Kindness
• Goodwill
• A gracious gift
• God’s undeserved favor

Grace is God’s goodness toward people who do not deserve it.

That is why grace is so amazing.

If we received only what we deserved, we would face the consequences of our sin.

But God offers something we do not deserve:

Salvation through Jesus Christ.

1. Grace Begins With God

Ephesians 2:8 begins:

“For by grace are ye saved…”

Salvation begins with God.

We did not create the plan of salvation.

God did.

We did not send Jesus Christ into the world.

God did.

We did not provide the cross.

God provided it.

We did not raise Jesus from the dead.

God raised Him.

From beginning to end, salvation is God’s gracious work.

John 3:16 says:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…”

God’s grace flows from His love.

2. Grace Is Given to the Undeserving

Grace would not be grace if we deserved it.

Think about that carefully.

If someone pays you for work you completed, that is a wage.

If someone gives you something you earned, that is compensation.

But grace is different.

Grace gives what cannot be earned.

Romans 5:8 says:

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Notice when Christ died for us.

While we were yet sinners.

Jesus did not wait until humanity became worthy.

He came because humanity was helpless and sinful.

That is grace.

3. Grace Does Not Ignore Sin

Sometimes people misunderstand grace.

They think grace means:

“God does not care about sin.”

That is not true.

God is holy.

God is righteous.

God does not simply pretend sin never happened.

Sin had to be dealt with.

That is why Jesus Christ went to Calvary.

The cross demonstrates both God’s justice and God’s grace.

God’s justice shows that sin must be judged.

God’s grace provides a Saviour who took the sinner’s place.

Romans 3:26 says that God is:

“just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”

At Calvary, God’s holiness was not compromised.

God’s grace was demonstrated.

4. Grace Provides What We Cannot Provide

Before salvation, we have a problem that we cannot solve by ourselves.

Our sin makes us guilty.

Our good works cannot erase our guilt.

Our religious activities cannot remove our sin.

Our money cannot purchase forgiveness.

Our reputation cannot make us righteous before God.

We need something outside ourselves.

We need God’s grace.

Titus 2:11 says:

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,”

God’s grace brings salvation.

What we could not accomplish, God provided through Christ.

5. Grace and Faith Work Together

Ephesians 2:8 says:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith…”

Grace is the source.

Faith is the means by which we receive God’s gracious gift.

We are not saved because faith itself is a good work that earns salvation.

Rather, faith is trusting in the One who saves.

Imagine someone extending his hand and offering you a gift.

The gift is provided by the giver.

You did not purchase it.

You simply receive it.

Faith is trusting God and receiving His salvation through Jesus Christ.

Grace provides salvation; faith receives it.

6. Grace Leaves No Room for Boasting

Ephesians 2:9 says:

“Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

If salvation were based upon our works, people could boast.

Someone could say:

“I was saved because I was better than other people.”

Another could say:

“I was saved because I did more good things.”

Another could say:

“I was saved because I was more religious.”

But God’s plan of salvation removes human boasting.

When we understand grace, our testimony becomes:

“I am saved because of Jesus Christ.”

We cannot take credit for what God has done.

All glory belongs to Him.

7. Grace Produces Humility

A person who truly understands grace cannot remain proud.

Why?

Because grace reminds us:

I did not deserve salvation.

I could not earn salvation.

I could not save myself.

Christ saved me.

That truth produces humility.

It should change the way we treat other people.

We should never look down on sinners and say:

“I am better than you.”

Instead, we should remember:

“I am also a sinner saved by grace.”

Paul called himself:

“the chief of sinners”
— 1 Timothy 1:15 (KJV)

If the Apostle Paul understood his need for grace, we should never become too proud to admit our own need.

8. Grace Changes the Way We Treat Others

When God has shown us grace, we should learn to show grace to others.

This does not mean approving sin.

It means treating people with compassion, patience, kindness, and truth.

Sometimes people are difficult.

Sometimes people disappoint us.

Sometimes people hurt us.

Sometimes people make terrible decisions.

But we should remember how patient God has been with us.

Colossians 4:6 says:

“Let your speech be alway with grace…”

Our words should reflect the grace we have received.

A Christian should not use biblical truth as an excuse to be cruel.

We can stand for truth while still showing grace.

9. Grace Does Not Permit Us to Sin

Another misunderstanding is:

“If God gives grace, then I can continue living in sin.”

Paul answers that idea strongly.

Romans 6:1–2 says:

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?”

“God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

Grace does not encourage us to sin.

Grace teaches us to live differently.

Titus 2:11–12 says:

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,”

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly…”

Grace saves us, and grace teaches us how to live.

10. Grace Gives Us Strength to Serve

Grace is not only for the moment of salvation.

God’s grace continues to sustain us throughout our Christian life.

Paul said:

“But by the grace of God I am what I am…”
— 1 Corinthians 15:10 (KJV)

Paul recognized that everything he became and accomplished for Christ was ultimately because of God’s grace.

When ministry becomes difficult, we need grace.

When people disappoint us, we need grace.

When we become tired, we need grace.

When we face opposition, we need grace.

When we fail, we need grace.

When we have opportunities to serve, we need grace.

The Christian life begins with grace and continues by grace.

Grace at Calvary

When we look at Calvary, we see grace in action.

Jesus was innocent.

We were guilty.

Jesus was righteous.

We were sinners.

Jesus suffered.

We deserved judgment.

Jesus took our place.

He bore our sins.

He shed His blood.

He died.

He was buried.

He rose again.

Why?

Because of God’s grace.

Isaiah 53:5 says:

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities…”

The cross should cause us to say:

“Amazing grace! What a Saviour!

Business for Christ

Grace should influence the way we conduct our business and ministry.

The world often operates according to:

“You get what you deserve.”

But Christianity teaches us something deeper:

God gives grace to those who do not deserve it.

This should influence our leadership.

If someone makes a mistake, we can correct them without humiliating them.

If an employee fails, we can deal with the problem honestly while still treating that person with dignity.

If someone asks for forgiveness, we should be willing to forgive.

If someone is struggling, we should show compassion.

If someone needs to hear the Gospel, we should not judge them as though we ourselves were never sinners.

Our business should reflect Christian character.

Grace should not merely be something we preach; it should be something people experience through our lives.

Practical Application

Ask yourself:

• Do I truly understand God’s grace?
• Am I depending on God’s grace rather than my own goodness?
• Am I humble because I know I am saved by grace?
• Am I showing grace to other people?
• Have I confused grace with permission to sin?
• Does God’s grace motivate me to serve Christ?
• Am I willing to share the Gospel of grace with others?

Today, remember:

You are not saved because you are good.

You are saved because God is gracious.

And that should produce a thankful heart.

Today’s Challenge

Read and meditate on:

      Ephesians 2:1–10
      Romans 3:21–28
      Romans 5:1–11
      Titus 2:11–14
      1 Corinthians 15:9–10

Today, spend several minutes thanking God specifically for His grace.

Think about where you were before you knew Christ and what God has done in your life.

Then choose one person who has wronged, disappointed, or frustrated you.

Ask God to help you respond to that person with both truth and grace.

Finally, share with someone this simple Gospel truth:

“We are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.”

Remember

Grace is God’s undeserved favor toward sinners, demonstrated through Jesus Christ and received by faith.

We do not earn salvation.

We do not purchase salvation.

We do not deserve salvation.

We receive salvation because God is gracious.

✍️ Quotation by Dr. Nilo H. Flores

“Grace reminds us that salvation is not a trophy we earned but a gift God freely gave. The more we understand His grace, the less we boast about ourselves and the more we glorify Jesus Christ.”

— Dr. Nilo H. Flores

😊 Flores Faith Smile

A Sunday school teacher asked her class:

“Can anyone tell me what grace means?”

One little boy raised his hand.

The teacher said:

“Yes, Johnny?”

Johnny answered:

“Grace is when God gives us something good even though we didn’t deserve it.”

The teacher smiled.

Then she asked:

“Very good! Can you give me an example?”

Johnny thought for a moment and said:

“Yes, ma’am. Every time my mother gives me dessert after I didn’t finish my vegetables!”

Everyone laughed.

The teacher smiled and said:

“That may be your mother’s grace, Johnny, but God’s grace is much greater!”

Johnny nodded and said:

“I know. God’s grace saves sinners!”

Lesson to Remember:

Human kindness may give us something we do not deserve, but God’s grace gives sinners the greatest gift of all—salvation through Jesus Christ.

Closing Prayer

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your amazing grace.

Thank You that You loved us even when we were sinners.

Thank You for sending Jesus Christ to die for our sins.

Thank You that salvation is not based upon our works, our achievements, our religion, or our goodness.

It is by Your grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Help me never to become proud of my salvation.

Keep me humble.

Help me remember where You found me and what You have done for me.

Teach me to show grace to people who need compassion, patience, forgiveness, and truth.

Help me never use grace as an excuse for sin. Instead, let Your grace teach me to live a holy and faithful life.

Give me opportunities to share the Gospel with others.

May my words, actions, business, ministry, and relationships reflect the grace of Jesus Christ.

All glory belongs to You.

In the precious name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I pray.

Amen.

Memory Verse

Ephesians 2:8 (KJV)

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

Today’s Prayer Focus

   Thank God for His amazing grace.

    Thank Him for salvation through Jesus Christ.

    Ask God to keep you humble.

    Pray for grace to forgive and show compassion to others.

    Ask God to help you live a holy life that reflects His grace.

    Pray for someone who needs to hear the Gospel of grace.

    Ask God for boldness to share the Gospel.

BUSINESS FOR CHRIST

Preaching the Gospel • Equipping Believers • Making Disciples

Tomorrow — Day 12

SALVATION THROUGH FAITH

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
— Romans 5:1 (KJV)

Τῷ μόνῳ Θεῷ δόξα

Tō monō Theō doxa

To God Alone Be the Glory