Living Under Grace

Grace is God giving us what we need not what we deserve. Grace is all that God does for us on the basis of the cross. G-R-A-C-E -- God's Riches At Christ's Expense. Grace is Jesus paying it all on the cross. Grace is the power from God that gives us both the desire and the ability to do His will.

Paul uses the word Grace over 20 times in Romans. So let’s look at Grace.

The Characteristics of Grace

1. It’s an attribute of God.

God is gracious…

Psalm 145:8 NIV

8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

Psalm 145:

God gives us himself… God is Grace

2. It comes through Jesus Christ.

Grace comes through a person - Jesus.

John 1:17 NLT

17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.

Moses gave the Law and Jesus gives Grace.

Romans 5:15 NLT

15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ.

3. It’s Eternal.

God always acts with Grace.

2 Timothy 1:9 NLT

9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.

A lot of people think that God acted one way in the Old Testament and another way in the New Testament. The Old Testament is Law and the New Testament is grace. But God has always acted in grace toward people. says "Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord." Abraham was chosen by grace. God has always acted by grace. Always. From the beginning of time. Grace is eternal.

4. It’s free.

It’s unconditional… it’s a gift and you cannot earn it.

Romans 3:24 NLT

24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

Grace makes it like we never sinned.

Ephesians 3:7 NLT

7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.

Romans 3:24

Titus 3:5 NLT

5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

Romans 11:6 NLT

6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.

5. It can be resisted.

Bitterness can limit God’s Grace in your life.

When you get resentful, when you allow bitterness to build up in your life towards another person, that hinders the grace of God in your life.

Hebrews 12:15 NLT

15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

Bitterness hinders the grace of God in your life. God warns against it over and over saying, Don't become resentful.

Pride hinders the Grace of God in your life.

James 4:6 NLT

6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

When you or I get full of pride and think "I can do this on my own. I don't need God. I can make it by myself. I have plenty energy, plenty of time, plenty of ability" then God's grace is frustrated in our lives -- the power and the ability to do God's will.

Relying on your own good works frustrates the grace of God.

6. It is limitless.

God's grace is limitless. If you tried to measure the grace of God you'd face an impossible task.

Romans 5:17 NLT

17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

Romans

Romans 5:20 NLT

20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.

Literally, in the Greek, it says "Where sin increased, God's grace super increased." You cannot out-sin the grace of God. Have you ever heard anybody say, "That guy is hopeless!" But says nobody is hopeless. Where sin increased, God's grace super increases.

Ephesians 3:17–18 NLT

17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

Eph

You cannot out-sin God's grace. It is limitless

The Benefits of Grace

Why is Grace such a big deal?

1. We are saved by Grace.

Ephesians 2:4–9 NLT

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Ephesians 2:8–9 NLT

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

We're not saved by our own effort. We're saved by grace. But the big problem is that many Christians think they are saved by grace and then they live the Christian life by works. It's like they enter the family of God one way and then they continue another way.

Colossians 2:6 NIV

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,

The way you became a Christian is the way you continue in the Christian life.

2. We are filled with God’s Spirit by Grace. (,14)

Galatians 3:2 NLT

2 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ.

Galatians 3:14 NLT

14 Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.

God gives you His Spirit not because you earn it or you deserve it or you've worked out some pattern or formula. He gives you His Spirit. By grace. He saves us by grace. He puts His spirit in our lives by grace.

3. Every miracle is by Grace.

Galatians 3:5 NLT

5 I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.

Every miracle that happens, happens because of grace. Why do you think God answers your prayers? Because you deserve it? No. He answers our prayers because of His grace. Because He wants to. He loves us. God works answers in our lives, His miracles, just because He loves us.

4. All Personal Growth is by Grace.

2 Peter 3:18 NLT

18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.

The more you rely on God's grace, the more you're going to grow.

1 CO 15:10

1 Corinthians 15:10 NLT

10 But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.

Paul's talking about his own growth. Was there a change in Paul's character? Was there! From persecutor to apostle! I'm sure people -- early Christians -- looked at Paul and said, "That guy's hopeless! He's killing us. He's fighting us." I'm sure some people today say "Madeline Murray O'Hare is hopeless." She's not! God's grace can reach even the person who's persecuting the church. Paul says, "I grew not because I worked real hard and pulled myself up by my own bootstraps and forced myself to change to be a nice guy!" The change in his life was made by grace. That's where the growth comes from.

Every Christian ought to be able to say three things:

1) By the grace of God I'm not what I used to be.

2) And just as legitimately you should be able to say, "By the grace of God I am what I am." You grateful for what God is doing in your life? I am! When God uses me I thank Him!

3) By the grace of God I'm not what I'm going to be. God is not through with you. God is in the disciple making business and He is producing character in your life. tells us He even uses suffering and trials to build character in your life

5. We overcome Temptation by Grace.

Grace is one of the most misunderstood terms. A lot of heresies result from people not understanding grace. They go to one of two extremes: you can either become legalists or become license. Some people take legalism with all their do's and don't and think if they keep these God will like them. God likes you just as much on your bad days as He does on your good days. His love is unconditional. Other people take this to an extreme: license. If God loves me by grace, I'll live it up!

Titus 2:11–12 NLT

11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,

The only way any of us become Christians is by God’s grace.

That doesn't sound like the grace I hear some people say. Some people say grace means do your own thing and God will forgive you. "I know that I shouldn't run out on my wife and marry this other lady but I'm going to do it anyway because I know God will forgive me!" That's what is called license! What kind of fool do you think God is? God sees through that. The grace of God teaches us to say "No"

Titus 2:11 NLT

11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.

God has given us this power -- grace -- to overcome bad habits, temptation, to overcome those areas we habitually fall in and blow it and make mistakes. You need God's grace to change. The only way you can change is by God's grace. The Bible is saying that God gives us the power.

Philippians 2:13 NLT

13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

God tells you what to do then He gives you the desire to do it and then He gives you the power to fulfill the desire. That's grace.

Romans 6:14 NLT

14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT

13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

6. We can Handle any trial by Grace.

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 NLT

7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 CO

Hebrews 4:15–16 NLT

15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Heb 4:1`

2 Timothy 2:1 NLT

1 Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus.

2 Tim

7. God uses you by Grace.

Ephesians 3:7 NLT

7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.

1 Corinthians 12:4–6 NLT

4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. 5 There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. 6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.

1 Corinthians 12:11 NLT

11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

1 CO 12:

Jude 24 NLT

24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.

Philippians 1:6 NLT

6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

John 10:27–29 NLT

27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.

JOhn

Hebrews 7:24–25 NLT

24 But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. 25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

Misconceptions about Grace

The first misconception is that your good works make God love you more… write this down.

1. Good works do not make God love me more.

You can read your Bible 3 or 4 hours a day, pray... God won't love you any more than He loves you right now. Good works do not make God love you any more. Because His love is unconditional!

Someone said, "We do not read the Bible to change God's opinion of us. But we read the Bible to change our opinion of God."

Colossians 2:6 NLT

6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.

Col

Galatians 3:1–3 NLT

1 Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross. 2 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. 3 How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?

It’s all by grace.

Romans 11:6 NLT

6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.

Grace and works don't match. It's like oil and water -- you can't mix them. It's either you live by grace or you live by works.

John 6:63 NLT

63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

2. Grace gives you license to whatever you want to do.

Romans 6:15–23 NLT

15 Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. 18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living. 19 Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy. 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. 21 And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. 22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:

John 6:35–36 NLT

35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me.

Bob Dillan says, "You're going to have to serve somebody." It may be the devil, it may be the Lord, but you're going to have to serve somebody. You will be mastered by something in life. Either by sin or by the Lord.

John 8:34 NLT

34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.

You don’t have to sin… you’ve been set free. That doesn’t mean we never sin… we do. It’s just not our nature any longer.

1 John 1:8 NLT

8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.

Many believe that Grace means you can do whatever you want to do without consequences. Write this down.

3. Grace does not remove the natural consequences of your actions.

There are consequences.

Galatians 6:7 NIV

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

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