For if one man’s offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one Jesus Christ – Romans 5:17

 Grace is God’s unmerited favor towards humanity, especially His people, realized through the covenant and fulfilled through Jesus Christ.

Many have taken the word grace to mean one can do whatever they want because they are under grace. Grace does not permit us to sin. Grace is to keep us from receiving the wrath of God because of our disobedience. God not only grants periodic favor but continues in gracious relationship with His people when they seek after Him and His righteousness.

God shows graciousness and faithfulness; He is loyal to the covenant, forgiving people’s iniquity, rebellion, and sin even to a thousand generations. The New Testament word for grace, “Charis”, Greek, is related to the verb rejoice. In secular usage, the term indicates which brings joy and pleasure or wins favor.

God demonstrates grace by sending Jesus to the Cross for the sins of humanity and then by His resurrection. God’s grace is inseparable from His love expressed in Jesus Christ (To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ – Romans 1:7). Paul was written to the church Rome, those who had heard his preaching and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior because they had received Him as Lord they were known to be saints. There is a difference between a Christian and a saint; most professing Christians still participate in the secular world and have not given themselves to the Lord, spirit, soul, and body.

Apostle Paul spoke of God’s favor to be with them, His peace, joy, and favor, and His grace to be with them as they grew in the knowledge of God. When we live according to God’s Word, He gives us His peace of mind, hearts, and spirit no matter what may happen in our lives or around us. (Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ – 1st Corinthians 1:3). Walking in submission to God’s Word gives us a double blessing that comes from the Father and Son.

Carnal Christians think Grace permits them to do whatever they want as Christians, which is the opposite of the meaning of Grace (What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid, How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein – Romans 6:1-2). Jesus didn’t give His life for His people to continue to practice sin. What was the purpose of Him taking on the world’s sins so they could continue in it? His death would have been in vain.

God’s Grace is with those who have made a mind-set to live according to God’s Word ( I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God who loved me, and give Himself for me – Galatians 3:20). Apostle Paul was allowing Christ to live through him in all that he did or said. We, as Christians, should have died to our old lifestyle because we have become a new creation in Jesus Christ. If we’re still living as we did before accepting salvation, we’re living as carnal Christians, and carnal Christians are enemies of God. (Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be – Romans 8:7), we can’t serve God and Satan.

Grace blesses Christians with the opportunity to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus – (Ephesians 2:6). Through Jesus, God has brought us into His presence and an intimate relationship with Himself. This only comes about when we’re willing to submit ourselves to Him and His Word.

God loves us where we are, but He loves us too much to leave us the way we are. Just as we receive promotions in our employment, when God employs us as Ambsssors of Jesus Christ, we also receive promotions in the Spirit, more like the Father and Son and less of us. We also receive benefits and favors: doors opened, salary increases, health benefits, and life insurance through salvation and sanctification.

Some religions influence their followers; they should live by the Law. Only one person was able to fulfill the Law, and that was the man Jesus (For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh Romans 8:3). We can’t worship God by the Law because we can’t keep the law. There were 613 laws; if you accomplished 612 of them and broke one, you were considered as breaking all 613 of them. Grace gives us two Laws: love God and love your neighbor.

Grace is received by faith (For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God – Ephesians 2:8). We can’t work for salvation; it is a gift; the grace of God is the expression of His goodness toward the undeserving. Grace is the basis of our salvation; men who deserve hell obtain heaven in salvation. Every conversion in Scripture is an example of God’s grace.

Grace allows us to repent, ask for forgiveness, and not continue in sin.