We are saved by God’s grace (Ephesians 2:5), and that’s only the beginning. God continues to show grace for us throughout our lives. In all cases, grace is a free gift. We don’t deserve it, and we can’t earn it. It’s just something that God gives us. Period.
In fact, misunderstanding of grace can be quite perilous. Romans 11:6 says, “And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.” We cannot get to heaven based upon our works. We get to heaven only by faith in God’s gift of His Son to us, and His works–not ours (John 3:16). If we try to get there (even in part) on any portion of our own merit, we will fail.
Yet I believe that one of our great old hymns is in error on the subject of grace. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing says, “O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!” We’re grateful for grace, but we don’t really become debtors when we accept God’s grace. We don’t owe God something for His grace. We just accept it. Furthermore, we’re not constrained by His grace. Rather, we’re set free (John 8:32). We should live right, but we should do it because of our love for Christ–not because we owe him something in return for his grace.
Maybe these subtle and unintended errors in song are the reason for widespread misunderstanding of biblical principles.