Titus 2:11-12; Romans 6:11-14

Again, if we are to be taught by grace how to live in this present age, we must not only continue in the grace of God; we must come under the grace of God.  For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.  To be under grace is a truth that comes from Rom. 5:20-21.  We were born into a kingdom of death where sin ruled; and sin always results in death.  But in Christ we have been born into a kingdom of eternal life where grace reigns through righteousness.  Consider two patterns from Rom. 7:5:

LAW >>> SINFUL PASSIONS >>>SIN >>> DEATH

       GRACE>>>SPIRIT>>>RIGHTEOUSNESS>>>ETERNAL LIFE

To be under grace is to live in the Kingdom of Life where …

·        There is no condemnation, Rom. 8:1-4.  In Christ Jesus we are free from that law that controlled the old kingdom, the law.  The requirements of the law are satisfied.

·        We walk in the Spirit, Rom. 8:5-13.   Rather than setting our minds on the things of the flesh (the manner of the old life) we set out minds on the things of the Spirit which enable us to put to death the evil that was the habit of life in the old kingdom.

·        God is our Father, Rom. 8:14-17.  In our study yesterday we noted how God loves us enough to discipline us.  In the Kingdom of Life we have the assurance of the Holy Spirit, on a moment by moment basis, that God is in fact our Father.  He has gladly welcomed us home (Luke 15:22-24).  He will treat us as a Father, providing always what is good and best (Matt. 7:7-12).  At any time we can come to Him as Abba, our Daddy.

·        There is hope, Rom. 8:18-25.  We have noted that grace teaches us through discipline, through chastening.  How different this is than the punishment and wrath that was ours in the kingdom of death (Eph. 2:1-3).  The hard times are beneficial and we are guaranteed the completion of Christ’s work in our own lives.  We shall bear His glory someday (Rom. 8:18).

·        The Spirit prays for us, Rom. 8:26-27.  He knows our weakness and makes perfectly accurate prayer on our behalf for what we need.

·        Everything works for our Christ-likeness, Rom. 8:28-30.  All things work for God for those in the Kingdom of Life; and the good is to become like God’s Son, the very thing for which He has designed us.

·        There is assurance, Rom. 8:31-39.  God’s grace to us that has given us a right standing in Christ will never be taken from us.  Further, God who withheld nothing in bringing us to Christ, will not withhold from us what we need to finish the race triumphantly.

This is what it means to be under grace.  Let us reckon ourselves dead to sin, no longer in the kingdom of death.  Let us reckon ourselves alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord, as those living in the Kingdom of Life where grace rules.