saving grace

saving grace
    n 1: (Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the
         state of one who is under such divine influence; "the
         conception of grace developed alongside the conception of
         sin"; "it was debated whether saving grace could be
         obtained outside the membership of the church"; "the Virgin
         lived in a state of grace" [syn: {grace}, {saving grace},
         {state of grace}]
    2: a redeeming quality or characteristic; "her love of music
       remains her one saving grace"; "her sense of humor has to be
       a saving grace"; "the saving grace for both developments is
       that they are creating jobs"