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The Daily Word of Righteousness
Grace, and the New Covenant, #24
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24)
The term "gospel of the grace of God" as used here means all that Paul taught. Paul taught that we no longer are bound by the statutes of the Law of Moses. We have been set free from Moses so we may be married to Christ.
Being set free from Moses does not mean we are free to sin. Being set free from Moses means we are free to place our hope and trust in the Lord Jesus, meanwhile offering the members of our body as a slave to righteousness. If we offer our body as a slave to righteousness we will inherit eternal life. If we choose to serve unrighteousness we will die spiritually.
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Romans 6:16)
To continue with the definition of grace:
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. (Acts 20:32)
Grace here refers to the Divine Virtue given to us to bring us to maturity in Christ.
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: (Romans 1:5)
Divine Presence, blessing, and calling.
To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:7)
Divine Presence and blessing.
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ: (Romans 3:24)
Forgiveness of sins based on the atonement made by Christ on the cross of Calvary.
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. (Romans 4:4)
Grace here means that God rewards us with righteousness through His sovereign goodness, not on the basis of the works of the Law of Moses. The context of the Book of Romans will reveal clearly that Paul always was contrasting Divine grace with the works of the Law of Moses, not Divine grace with godly behavior. Paul was arguing against those who were pressing the Law of Moses on the new converts.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8,9)
This verse often is used to prove that the Christian need not worry about righteous behavior because he is not saved by works. Again, Paul was referring to the works of the Law of Moses.
Ephesians 2:8,9 should never be quoted apart from verse 10. To quote 8 and 9 without 10 is to distort what is being taught.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
"Created in Christ unto good works." Created unto good works. God is creating us so we will walk in good works, that is, we will practice the godly behavior assigned to us from the foundation of the world.
To be continued.