Romans 6 Lesson

DEFINING GRACE

We hear about God’s grace.

We know that it is important.

But how many of us truly understand what it means to receive God’s grace?

We will begin today’s lesson by defining the word grace.

Grace means, “Unmerited favor.”

Or to put it in lay terms, receiving something that we have not earned.  

BIBLE VERSES ABOUT GRACE

1. “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” -Hebrews 4:16,
2. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” - Ephesians 2:8-9,
3. “For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” - Romans 6:14,
4. “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” - 2 Corinthians 12:9,
5. “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” - James 4:6.

PAUL’S THOUGHTS ON GRACE

In Romans Chapter 5, Paul contrasted the judgment that arose from one transgression (Adam in the Garden of Eden), to the abundance of grace that was made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross at Calvary.  

Paul writes:

• “So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.” – Romans 5:18.

In Romans Chapter 6, Paul expands on this idea by dividing Jesus’ sacrifice into two categories:

1. Life under the Law before Jesus’s resurrection,
2. Life after Jesus rose from the dead.

LIFE UNDER THE LAW BEFORE JESUS’ RESURRECTION

The resurrection of Jesus is the greatest event in the history of the World!

Prior to His resurrection:

• People were slaves to obedience and slaves to sin,
• Death spread to all men through the sins of one person,
• Judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation,
• The body was used for sinful lusts.

LIFE AFTER JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD

When Jesus was resurrected, everything changed for believers!

Instead of being trapped in our sins, we are now liberated from our sins by the grace of God through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  

The Bible teaches us that the Law made us aware of our sins, because all of us are sinners, and nobody was able to keep the Law perfectly.

• “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” - Romans 3:23.

The Law refers to the first five books of the Old Testament:

1. Genesis,
2. Exodus,
3. Leviticus,
4. Numbers,
5. Deuteronomy.

Since Jesus came and fulfilled the prophets, it is God’s grace that justifies us, not our obedience to the Law.  

That is a monumental change!

When the Law was introduced, transgressions increased because people became more aware of their sins. But grace also increased! 

Paul writes:

• “But where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 5:20-21.

If our sins and God’s grace were put on a scale, God’s grace would far exceed our sins, and that is reason to havehope!  

Jesus said:

• “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9.

No matter what life may throw at us; be it sickness, war, poverty, hunger, or any other type of adversity, God’s grace is sufficient to see us through.

RECEIVING GOD’S GRACE

So how do we receive God’s grace?

The answer is simple! 

We receive God’s grace through faith in Jesus, and by striving to obey God’s commandments. 

We are not expected to keep His commandments perfectly.  God understands our humanity, after all, He created us! 

John wrote in his first epistle:

• "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." - 1 John 1:8.

Only Jesus was able to live a sinless life while on earth. And while we cannot be perfect as Jesus was, we are commanded to try!

• “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” - Mathew 5:48.

The character is in the trying. 

And when we fail, and we repent, it is our faith in the redeeming blood of Jesus that reconciles us with God.    

CONCLUSION

The definition of grace is, “Unmerited favor,” or receiving something that we have not earned. 

Grace, along with our faith in Jesus, and proper repentance can save us from being trapped in our sins.

And when we are free from the bondage of sin, we can focus completely on doing the two things that we were created to do on earth:

1. Glorifying God,
2. Serving others.

God’s amazing grace is bigger than any of our sins.

No matter how badly we slip up (except for the unpardonable sin), our relationship with God can be restored, because His grace is sufficient! (2 Corinthians 12:9) 

We will conclude today’s study with the following scripture. It reminds us of the unsurpassed love of God:

• “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” – John 3:16-17.