“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” Romans 6:14 (KJV).
The issue of grace is an issue grossly misunderstood by many. While some project grace as license to live anyhow, others see grace as sweeping sin under the carpet. Most preachers will not want to hear anything about grace, as a result they present Christianity as performance driven. Grace is not just a topic, it is the gospel. Any message that is not rooted in grace cannot be the gospel; it is either legalism or what Paul describes as another gospel which in the real sense is not another because grace is the message of the church.
Truly understood, grace makes no provision for sin. It is rather an empowerment to overcome sin. Where grace is at work, the dominion of sin is broken. Grace has nothing to do with God lowering his standard to accommodate human weaknesses, it is rather God enabling man to live above or to overcome sin which the law could not do.
The law demands righteousness, grace provides righteousness. Where the law is at work and grace lacking, sin dominates but where grace is at work, the dominion of sin is destroyed.
The church has for long focused only on one aspect of grace which is the redeeming grace that reveals God’s mercy and love that result in forgiveness of sin, justification of the repentant sinner and removal of condemnation and wrath of God.
The aspect of grace not explored is the enabling grace that promotes righteousness and goodliness. Where the enabling grace is not emphasized, people will end up with the lopsided teaching that God knows our weaknesses and so he gave us grace to cover our sins, and so they continue to promote human weakness instead of the enabling grace that makes holiness possible and delightsome.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly, in this present world” Titus 2:11-12 (KJV).
Grace prohibits sin and promotes righteousness. It enables us to say no to sin and yes to righteousness and godliness. The power of righteousness rests on grace. When you reject grace you weaken your drive and ability to walk in righteousness but when you promote grace you activate the power of righteousness. Grace is not only God forgiving our sins and justifying us, it is equally God empowering us to live right.
PRAYER: Lord, may your grace be multiplied and activated in my life in Jesus name.
Rev. Vincent Diolu