"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (John 1:17).
What is grace?
Grace itself is not quite easy to perfectly define. However, the Greek language was able to give us a much more comprehensive meaning of the word 'grace' than the English language. The Greek dictionary defines grace as that divine gift which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness. It refers to divine loving-kindness, favour, of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues. These are amazing definitions.
Our opening Scripture clearly reveals to us that the Law came by Moses, but GRACE and truth came by Jesus Christ. So, all of the above definitions of grace are from the Lord Jesus Christ. Apostle Paul talked about the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 13:14).
What's the importance of grace?
It is vital for us to know the importance of grace so that we can know how to function in it because salvation itself came by grace. One of the above definitions tells us that it is God's merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues. So, we can see the importance and results of grace; through it, you are kept, strengthened, and increased in the Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and you are also charged to exercise divine virtues.
Now, the grace of God is not for one to wallow in sin and unrighteousness. It is not a license for sin. Apostle Paul tells us,
"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).
What is the man of God saying here? He simply saying that God forbid that we should continue in sin so that grace may abound. Then, he went on to show us a higher a light;
"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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" Romans 6:3-4).
The maximum expectation here is walking in the new life -the life of God. This is the life of righteousness. That's why God's grace came, brought salvation and delivered us from sin and its penalties. So, take advantage of this divine enablement to live the life of God and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage from which you were delivered. For sin shall not have dominion over you because you are not under the Law, but under grace.
Hallelujah! God bless you.
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