Part 3 How ought we to live in the light of God's grace?
Because God’s grace and blessings lead to eternal life, how then should we be living?
Romans Chapter 6 is a go to chapter for how to live in the light of God's grace.
Romans 6:1 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 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Paul here in Romans chapter 6 shows the biblical approach to our lives that we are to live in absolute, loving dedication to God the Father and Jesus Christ.
We do this by walking in obedient faith through grace.
Romans 6:11 Likewise, do not yield your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin; rather, yield yourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
6:12 For sin shall not rule over you, because you are not under law, but under grace.
Now we can clearly see how we are to live our lives before God the Father.
We are to do so as if we were alive from the dead; in willing, loving submission to God,
and to live according to the will and grace of God. You may recall the childhood hymn 'O what can little hands do to please the king of heaven'? In this hymn the child's hands are to be used to meet someone's need, their lips for praise and words of kindness, their eyes for looking up to heaven and reading the bible, and lastly, their little hearts can love their Maker, Saviour, and Friend. Such grace to mine be given! This is an example of using our members (all our faculties and senses) as instruments of righteousness. Such grace also to mine be given!
Ephesians 1:2 Grace and peace be to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly things with Christ.
4. According as He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, in order that we might be holy and blameless before Him in love.
5. Having predestinated us for sonship to Himself through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His own will,
6. To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He has made us objects of His grace in the Beloved Son.
7. In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the remission of sins, according to the riches of His grace,
This chapter brings out many facets of God’s glorious GRACE.
Everything that the apostle Paul speaks of in this chapter is part of and is an expression of God the Father’s GRACE through JESUS CHRIST!
Chapter 1 goes on to reveal wonderful blessings to each believer.
Practical Conclusions- how ought we live in the light of God's grace?
Be grateful that God has poured his grace into your life.
Celebrate His amazing grace.
Refuse to live in sin by considering your old man ‘crucified, dead, and buried’.
But rather walk in newness of life and being holy and blameless before Him in love.
Such a lifestyle reflects how wonderful God was/is treating us as the targets/objects of His grace.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness…
Remember that the same sufficiency of grace that the Lord supplied Paul with, is ever available to you. The grace of God enables us to overcome sin and enter the victories that Jesus Christ has prepared for us.
The grace of God is our enabler and only comes through Jesus Christ.
Amen
Prayer