The society plus the English dictionaries erroneously defined Grace as
” the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings (in Christian belief)”
Yes it is free and given only to those who accept it, yes it was manifested through the death and resurrection of Christ, but it doesn’t bestow blessing or immunity in such perspective, it rathers gives you a new identity that is defined and characterized by the life of Christ, giving you the ability to resist sin and overcome temptation. It doesn’t give you the license to continue in sin under the guise of “the price is paid” or “I am immune to sin”, grace does not cover for sin, it gives you the power to step away from it totally.
To make it clearer and more congenial, I will use an analogy that defines everything clearly so we understand the perspective of grace, away from the general perspective.
Whether you are a saint or sinner, white, black or any colour between, Pope or usher, President or the least in the civil service, as long as you are not Khaleesi aka Daenerys Stormborn Dany The Unburnt of the Game of Thrones, if you deep your hand into an open flame or you’re thrown into a burning pit, you will get burnt like suya because that’s the natural order. That is the nature of sin, that is its natural identity, it’s like the flame, not a respecter of any man; when you deep your hand into it, you become guilty, a sinner and if you don’t make restitution or obtain mercy through confession and reconnection with the redemptive power of Christ, you remain a sinner and you earn the ultimate wage which is death; not the death but eternal death as defined in the (Matt. 25:46; Mark 3:29; Hebrews 6:2; 2 Thess. 1:9; Matt. 18:8; 25:41; Jude 1:7).
A prominent Old Testament word describing God’s grace is “Chesed”. This word speaks of deliverance from enemies, affliction, or adversity. It also denotes ENABLEMENT, CAPACITY, DAILY GUIDIANCE, FORGIVENESS, and PRESERVATION. The New Testament word is “Charis”. It focuses on the provision of salvation and not an elimination of sin.
Grace doesn’t give you the license to go and continue in sin and remain blameless, it prevents you from stepping into sin when you come into close contact with it, enables you to step away and preserves you with knowledge. It gives you a new life and a refined understanding, a daily guidance on how to live like Christ without struggle. Grace is not defined for incessant pardon, it is engineered to preserve you in Christ and away from the capacity to sin.
You can stay away from sin, you can live a life of grace powered by god, remember what the apostle said in Phil 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
It’s not hard too achieve this, me sef no holy pass but I understand this for one “Ore Ofe Saa Ni Mon Je”.
I’m Abidemi Babaolowo Oderinlo
I Write What I Like
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