Grace is the essential factor in our ongoing victory as believers. God’s continual favor in our lives serves as the ever-present strength drawn from His presence and promises, fueled by the remarkable triumph we have through Calvary’s victory over all the powers of darkness and sin.
One pressing issue we face today is the misinterpretation of grace. In many circles, grace is often misused as a blanket excuse for our shortcomings. The prevailing belief suggests that if we sin, it’s acceptable because we are under grace. This mindset has led to a lack of genuine accountability, as many assume all their sins—past, present, and future—are automatically forgiven. This belief has elevated grace to an almost hyper status.
Grace truly exists, and the phrase “Under Grace” (Romans 6:14) indicates that we are now under the authority of God’s favor. This scripture means we are recipients of His grace, which empowers us to live a life that is pleasing to Him. Grace is not merely a covering; it is a provision from God.
The actual definition of grace is “The goodwill and loving favor which God, exerting His holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues.”
As we look at scripture as the determiner of the doctrine of grace, we must receive its whole purpose. Paul in 2 Timothy 1:9 states, “Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” Paul reveals that two things were present in their lives.
First, there is God’s purpose. This is God’s calling for us from the foundation of the world. It’s not according to anything we have done but His will and purpose for each of us in His kingdom.
Second, there is grace, or the divine influence of God, in our lives. This refers to His active involvement in helping us fulfill His purpose within us. Because of Calvary, we are no longer under the condemnation of the law; instead, we are now governed by the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, which can also be understood as the law of grace. As we remain positioned in Christ, His unmerited favor works within us, guiding, convicting, and directing us toward His perfect will for our lives.
Grace is not a license to sin (as stated in Romans 6:1-2), but rather a provision that empowers us to WIN.
In Genesis 1:26-27, God created man in His image and likeness, placing us in a position of holiness and authority. In this state, we remained under His Shekinah glory, and He would walk with us. We had full access to the Tree of Life while we occupied the Garden of Eden. However, our fall led us into a state of sin, making us a type of abomination in the eyes of God. We were banished from His presence because, under His Shekinah glory, He would have had to condemn us. We lost our close relationship with Him, but He promised to redeem us back to Himself.
Romans 5:12-14 explains that “as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, so death spread to all men.” The law was given to help us understand what sin is, but it was weakened by the flesh (Romans 8:3). The heart of God is to redeem us back to a position of holiness.
He established the foundational principle to show that God desired to restore us to a position where His grace could work.
Romans 4:13 states, “For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”
God’s plan was not to bind us with the law but to establish the foundational principle of grace, which is faith. He waited to give the law because, with the law comes the knowledge of sin. Thus, He laid down the foundational principle of grace, which is faith.
Romans 4:14-16 states, “For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. Therefore, it is of faith that it might be according to grace.”
In the redemption purchased through the blood of Christ, the power of the law has not only been defeated but also fulfilled in Him. His blood ensures our righteousness as we choose to believe and stand in faith in the completed work of Calvary. This provides us with a sense of security and peace.
Romans 8:3-4 states, “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did (accomplished) by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin; He condemned sin in the flesh that the righteous requirements of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
We are called to live holy lives. As stated in 1 Peter 1:16, “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” The standard of holiness, which restores our fellowship with God and allows His Spirit to dwell within us, has been achieved through Jesus’s death on the cross. Now, the grace of God invites us to fulfill His will and works within us freely. All God’s standards, which are still relevant, are written on our hearts and fulfilled in those of us who choose to walk by faith in the victory of Calvary.
Now, the purpose of grace can accomplish its task: to bring us to a place where we can fully represent God in all His victory, holiness, and purpose.
Grace is defined the same way in every scripture. It’s not a passive covering that allows us to do as we please; instead, it is the active, unhindered presence of God, working to accomplish all He asks of us and bring the final promise.
That promise is according to Ephesians 1:4; “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundations of the world that we should be holy and without blame standing before Him covered in His love.”
Finally, Romans 1:5 states, “Through Him we have received Grace(the full provision of God’s goodness and provision) for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name.”
God’s purpose for His grace is to spread the gospel to all nations and to make disciples of everyone. Let’s embrace the grace in which we currently stand, drawing upon God’s goodness to equip us for all He has called us to do. This way, we can truly hear, “Well done, good and faithful servants!”
You can also watch Part 1 of my 28:30-minute teaching on this subject on our church’s YouTube channel.
Part 2 is available here.
Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
