Undeserved, unearned favor from God is part of the new covenant that Jesus put into place on the cross. Grace is a topic believers often discuss; it radically changes our lives and delivers us from guilt and shame over our past mistakes. However, in order to benefit from it we must first have a working understanding of it. Knowing what grace is, and what it isn’t, keeps us from straying off the path on our spiritual journey.

Jesus Christ delivered us from death that resulted from Adam’s sin; because of Jesus we now have an abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness without having to work for it. However, grace isn’t a license to keep sinning. It’s flawed reasoning to think that we can continue in sin so that grace may abound; we’re dead to sin and are no longer to live in it. Holiness will always remain the objective of grace.

Neither is grace a license to become lazy. Believers are to rest in God, but this doesn’t mean inactivity; it means we are to continue doing whatever work needs to be done, but without worry or anxiety. Sometimes staying at rest can be hard work when life puts external pressure on us, but the work of God is to believe in the one He has sent. We who have believed enter into rest.

Another mistake we make is thinking that God’s favor gives us permission to settle for lack, insufficiency, or miserable circumstances. He wants the very best for us, and it’s His will that we receive it. Jesus came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. This is all offered to us as grace gifts that we don’t have to earn. If it’s by grace then it’s no more of works, otherwise grace is no more grace. Accepting these gifts with a genuine “thank you” to God positions us to receive everything He wants us to have.

Prayer:

Lord, Your favor makes us righteous; it’s a gift that’s free to us but cost Your Son a great deal. Accepting the grace You offer us frees us from negative emotions and gives us peace. Thank You for this gift. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Scriptures:

Romans 5:17

Romans 6:1, 2

John 6:29

Hebrews 4:3

John 10:10

Romans 11:6