We have also obtained access through him [Jesus Christ] by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:2 CSB

They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:24 CSB

Paul, in his letters to the churches, talks a great deal about God’s grace. Grace is defined as the “unmerited favor of God toward man.” God’s grace is offered to us, is gifted to us, through the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins and His resurrection. We can’t work for it, buy it, earn it, or DIY it. Paul tells us that we can only access this grace through our faith in Jesus Christ. But the amazing thing is, it is available to anyone, to all who believe in Jesus as Lord.

But what does this wonderful gift of grace do for us? It frees us and it justifies us. Frees us from our lives of sin and death. And justifies us, we are literally moved from our state of sin and death to a new state of righteousness! Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, bearing all our sins on the cross, God now sees us as righteous through His Son. And death is replaced with eternal life.

It is like our past, our sins, never even existed. God sees us as righteous with the privilege to be called children of God. We have obtained God’s grace; His favor, His forgiveness, and eternal life. We are new creatures. We may know all of this, but do we “stand” in this grace? Do we see ourselves as God does? Or do we accept God’s grace, yet hold on to a past that God has forgiven and removed?

This week, accept your gift of grace, embrace your freedom from sin and death, welcome your new condition of righteousness, and leave your past in the loving presence of Jesus because He has laid down His life for it. Stand strong and confident in grace, in your position as a forgiven and righteous child of God.

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we accept God’s grace and stand firm in His grace as His adopted and righteous children.

Blessings and grace!