To not make an effort to study and observe to do the commandments found in the Scriptures is to neglect our salvation and to expect to face severe chastening at the hands of the Lord.

First is the goal. The goal is to serve God in righteousness.

Second is the means to the goal. The means to the goal is to be filled with Christ.

Third is the willingness of our fallen nature to lay hold on the grace of God in order that we may obey the commandments given us by the Lord and His Apostles.

The fourth aspect of the manner in which the new covenant operates has to do with the grace of God. Just what is the grace of God? Here is another area of confusion and misunderstanding.

A survey of the way the term grace is used in the New Testament is very revealing when compared with the manner in which it is employed in our day.

Grace is sometimes defined as "unmerited favor." In popular usage, grace is a synonym for forgiveness. As such it is viewed as an alternative to righteous behavior. "We are saved by grace," meaning if we will confess Jesus as Savior and Lord we will go to Heaven when we die even though we have failed to live righteously.

Actually, in many instances grace is clearly not a synonym of forgiveness but rather of Divine enablement to do God's will.

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (Romans 12:3)

Certainly not a synonym of forgiveness but of Divine enablement.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; (Romans 12:6)

Not a synonym of forgiveness but of enablement.

According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. (I Corinthians 3:10)

Not a synonym of forgiveness.

Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. (II Corinthians 8:6)

The "grace" of giving of our material means.

The new covenant operates in the following manner:

The goal of perfect righteousness is set before us.

We attain the goal by having Christ formed and dwelling in us.

Christ is formed and dwells in us as we strive, with the Lord's help, to obey the Scriptures.

The grace of God, including forgiveness and all other Divine blessings, is given to us in Jesus' name so we can press forward each day into the fullness of Christ.

In the purest sense, Christ Himself is the Grace of God. Christ is the Divine Grace given to us in order that we may work out our own salvation.

Let us examine now how the Apostle Peter sets forth the relationship between the second and third aspects, that is, between having Christ formed and dwelling in us and our striving with the Lord's help to obey the Scriptures.

To be continued.