The meaning of the Biblical word grace is so great that it is hard to fully define. It includes generosity, favour, loving-kindness, goodness, blessing, benefit, joy and unlimited abundance – and is used to describe the divine influence of God, working in the hearts of men and women to receive that which they are not worthy of having and cannot attain by their own efforts. It means we can receive what we do not deserve. Mercy is to not receive what we deserve, which is judgment.

“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. And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 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 5:15-17 NLT.

God’s grace is one of the great truths in the Bible, and it is given through Jesus Christ and him alone. (John 1:14-17). It is his grace that sets us free from the bondage of sin. (Romans 5:18-21, 6:1-2). There is a false teaching that it is not serious for believers to continue in sin because grace covers all their sins. Paul discounted this idea and said believers are to reckon themselves dead to sin and not allow it to reign in their mortal bodies. The very reason that believers have been set free from the condemnation of sin is in order to live holy lives and to continue to grow in God’s grace. (Romans 6:5-22).

We are not under the law of sin and death but under the gift of grace and life.

Join me as we continue on our journey through “A Life of Faith.”

Blog series Six – Two Kingdoms at War:

Episode 8: Works of the Flesh & Fruits of the Spirit

Blog series Seven – Pitfalls to a Life of Faith