Law to Life

What is Grace?

Good morning, church!

Let me ask you something personal: Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you try to serve God, you’re still falling short?

Like you’re on a spiritual treadmill—running, sweating, working—but never arriving?

For many of us, that has been our relationship with God: a cycle of effort, failure, guilt, rededication… and then failure again.

But what if I told you… the Christian life was never meant to be powered by your performance, but by His provision?

Today we begin a journey into something that’s not just a Bible word—it’s the heart of the Gospel. That word is grace.

And here’s the truth we’re going to discover together:

Grace is not a reward for the obedient. It is the empowering presence of Jesus Himself, given freely to the undeserving.

Let’s begin in Ephesians 2:8–9

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Let’s break this life-changing truth into four parts.

POINT 1: Grace Is a Person, Not a Principle

Let’s go to John 1:17

John 1:17 ESV

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Notice the wording:

The law was given—but grace came.

Grace isn’t just something God gives—it’s who God is, revealed in Jesus.

Grace showed up in person. And He sat with sinners. He touched lepers. He lifted the fallen. He forgave the unworthy.

Jesus didn’t come to start another religion.

He came to bring us into relationship—with Himself.

Transition: Now, if grace is the person of Jesus, then how does He save us?

Is it by our goodness?

Our obedience?

Our record?

Let’s answer that next.

POINT 2: Grace Saves You—Not Your Obedience, But Christ’s

Let’s Go back to Ephesians 2:8–9

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Let’s make this plain: You are not saved because you cleaned up your act.

You are not saved because you stopped sinning.

You are saved because Jesus obeyed perfectly on your behalf.

Romans 5:19 says:

Romans 5:19 ESV

For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

Whose obedience?

Not yours—Jesus’

Here’s the good news:

You don’t have to earn your salvation.

You don’t have to earn your healing.

You don’t have to earn God’s favor.

It’s not about your performance, but about His perfection.

Illustration: Imagine standing in front of a judge, guilty as charged. But then Jesus walks in and says, “I’ve already served the sentence. The price is paid.” That’s what grace does.

Transition to Point 3: Here is a key grace doesn’t stop at saving you—it does something much deeper. It changes you from the inside out.

POINT 3: Grace Teaches and Transforms You

Let’s read Titus 2:11–12

Titus 2:11–12 ESV

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

“For the grace of God has appeared… training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions…”

Grace is not soft on sin. Grace is stronger than sin.

The law says: “You better not.”

Grace says: “Let Me help you.”

This is the beauty of the New Covenant: You’re not being changed by rules—you’re being transformed by relationship.

2 Corinthians 3:6 says:

“The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

God didn’t just forgive you—He put His Spirit in you to teach you, guide you, correct you, and comfort you.

Illustration: Grace is like an internal GPS. The law says, “Turn left!” Grace says, “Let Me take the wheel.”

Transition to Point 4: Now here’s the part most Christians never discover:

Grace not only forgives and transforms you—it actually empowers you to reign in life.

POINT 4: Grace Empowers You to Reign in Life

Romans 5:17 ESV

For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

That word “reign” in Greek means to rule like a king.

Not barely get by. Not drag through life. But reign.

That means:

You reign over sin—not live in shame.

You reign over fear—not be ruled by it.

You reign over guilt—not be haunted by your past.

But how do you reign? By receiving—not just a little grace, but the abundance of grace.

The Greek word for receive is “lambanō” – to take hold of, to actively receive.

Grace isn’t automatic. You have to receive it. Daily. Actively. Boldly.

And when you do—you’ll stop striving and start reigning.

Conclusion:

Maybe you’ve been working hard to be accepted by God.

Maybe you've lived your Christian life in fear—afraid that if you don’t do enough, pray enough, give enough… you’ll fall short.

Let me tell you: Jesus did enough.

Today is your day to move:

From earning to receiving

From guilt to grace

From struggling to reigning

Let’s say this together:

I am saved by grace, Trained by grace, Empowered by grace, And I reign in life by the obedience of Jesus.

Prayer

Be Blessed!

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