Living by Grace

Genesis 45:1-5, 25; Romans 6:1-2, 14-16

“Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?”

“Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”

The story of Joseph’s reconciliation with his brothers is a vivid illustration of how to live under grace. Joseph was hated and mistreated by his brothers and eventually sold into slavery. He faced many hardships during his initial time in slavery, but God turned things around for him, and he became the Prime Minister of Egypt. This position gave him power over his wayward brothers, which meant he could have punished them in revenge for what they did to him.

However, in this story, Joseph provides us with a profound example of what it means to live under grace. He viewed all his sufferings as part of God's providence and recognized that in order to live under grace, he should not fall into the same sins as his brothers. He understood that he needed to live as a person whom God had vindicated, submitting to God’s leading and obeying His commandments.

Living under grace means consciously recognizing the righteousness of Jesus in our lives. It means being covered by His righteousness and not fixating on sin, as sin no longer has dominion over us. For Christians, living under grace should shape the entirety of life. This perspective allows grace to be the lens through which we view ourselves, the church, our relationship with God, and our interactions with others.

Living under grace does not mean we should willingly continue to sin. God's grace is His unmerited and undeserved favor, which we receive after repenting of accidental sins. In Romans 6:14-15, Paul argues that being under grace is not a license to sin. Romans 6:15 states, “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? God forbid.” Furthermore, Hebrews 10:26-29 emphasizes that there is no sacrifice that can cover deliberate and willful sins, even when we are under the spirit of grace. 

Imagine being pulled over by a police officer for exceeding the speed limit while rushing to respond to a genuine emergency. As you explain your situation, the officer surprises you by folding the ticket, tearing it up, and saying, “Today, you will receive my grace, and I am giving you a pardon.” Does this act of grace permit you to continue speeding and breaking the law? On the contrary, you would likely become even more cautious and respectful of the law in the future. If only all Christians today would show the same respect for God and His grace..

Consider the following scenario: A murderer sentenced to death is awaiting execution. Just before the execution date, the governor reviews the condemned man's case and decides to grant him a pardon. In light of extenuating circumstances, the governor exercises his prerogative and sends a full pardon to the prisoner.

Now, the prisoner is no longer subject to the law but is instead under grace. This means the law no longer condemns him; he is considered completely justified regarding the charges against him. He is free to walk out of prison, and no law enforcement officer can stop him.

However, now that he is under grace and not bound by the law, can we say that he is free to break the law? Of course not! In fact, he would now have an even greater obligation to obey the law because he has received grace from the governor. Out of gratitude and love, he will be very careful to honor and obey the laws of the state that granted him this grace.

Our motto should be “As Jesus is, so are we.” This is reflected in 1 John 4:17: “By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as He is, so also are we in this world.” When we focus on Jesus and the truth that God loves us, as in John 3:16, we can experience peace and live in a way that is pleasing to God. It is only when we are assured that we are not condemned by God that we can lead a sinless life. By receiving God’s grace, we are empowered to share that grace with others, as highlighted in Joseph’s story!

Why would anyone who truly loves the Lord want to continue in the sin that caused their loving Savior to be crucified, resulting in His immense pain and suffering? If we continued in sin, how would we be any different from the rest of the world? Romans 6:23 reminds us that Jesus died to redeem us from the penalty of sin, which is death. He took the penalty for our sins upon Himself, not so we could continue living in sin. God's love is always available to us, and if someone comes to genuine repentance, they will be forgiven. Christ is always ready to forgive those who turn to Him in true repentance. This is the power of sanctifying grace at work!

Paul's message resonates with clarity and simplicity: Being under Grace inspires us to rise above sin, which is a violation of the law. Our salvation through faith alone reveals our commitment to uphold the law. The notion of the Ten Commandments being abolished contradicts Jesus' declaration that he did not come to destroy the law. Instead, we are called not only to obey it but also to teach it. Thus, the scripture stands unified and unwavering—by loving God through our obedience to his commandments, we beautifully reflect our love for others!