saving grace

(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"

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"