Introduction
The fact that Adam sold us out really ticks me off.
I’m not saying I could have done any better, but it’s mind-boggling to think that one man’s choice to choose Satan over God ushered in all sickness, pain, hurt and loss in this world. And ever since then, mankind has been dealing with the aftermath.
The problem is we often try to overcome the wrong way. For example, many religious teachers try to shame the sin out of people. This just brings judgement and condemnation, and it actually exasperates our efforts. Why?
Because judgement doesn’t free us; the grace of God does.
For years, I counselled inmates. I met men who were filled with regret because they had hurt people they loved while they were drunk, high or angry. When you look into their eyes, you see broken men—some so filled with shame and condemnation that they are in danger of taking their own lives.
Jesus knows what that feels like because He took the nature of sin upon Himself on the cross. No matter what we’ve done, He offers us an exchange in place of our shame: the nature of God, a relationship with Him, forgiveness, healing, peace, joy, strength and so much more! That’s His grace in action—the grace that freed you when you gave your life to Christ and continues to free you today and every day.
Now let's take a look at five other things included in the freedom Jesus won for you!
Access to the Throne of Grace
Sometimes we avoid spending time with God because we expect Him to look at us with disappointment or anger for the all the ways we've fallen short. But what does the Word actually say we receive when we go to Him?
Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. Hebrews 4:16 (AMPC)
This verse doesn’t say that you get judgement. When you come boldly to God’s throne of grace, you get mercy.
What is mercy? When you mess up, instead of the punishment you deserve, you get forgiveness instead. You’re a child of God, and He isn’t your judge, condemner or punisher. In fact, Jesus didn’t come to judge the world; He came to save the world (John 3:17). This is why you can always come boldly to the throne of grace.
And why is it called the throne of grace? In the Greek language, grace is interpreted as unmerited favour. If something is unmerited, that means you didn’t have to earn it. But what is the favour you get? It’s the power you get to be set free.
You have this grace and it’s there whenever you need it. Maybe you want to take your business or your marriage to the next level. Maybe you’re dealing with personal temptation or trouble with overspending. No matter what it is, there’s one common answer: come boldly to the throne of grace.
Once you go to God boldly for help, He'll empower you in love to change, grow and go greater!
Empowerment to Do Better
Mercy and grace are about being forgiven... but they also empower you to do better. When you talk to God about what you’re dealing with, you’ll get compassion and the power you need to overcome.
Many believers are hesitant to pray because they feel like God is judging them. When they do something wrong, they avoid talking to God about it. They feel like they should be hanging their heads in shame, not asking for help. But Ephesians 3:12 says that we should come to God with freedom and confidence. If you’ve made a mistake, you can say, “Father, I need mercy because I’ve messed up,” and you can know that you’re forgiven.
Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. Ephesians 3:12 (NLT)
At the same time, you can say, “Father, I’m thanking You for grace, because I want to change this. I’m relying on Your power to be the kind of person I want to be.” Then you can trust that He is not only helping you to have the self-control and willpower you need, but He’s helping you to change your desires, so you actually start seeing results.
You’re still going to need to put some effort in, but as you do that, be aware of His phenomenal grace. Pair your efforts with His power and watch your life change for the better!
A Higher Level of Freedom
When you struggle with temptation, turn again to God’s grace. He sets you free!
Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17 (NLT)
You need to trust and believe that you have God's grace—His power, ability and full provision for your life—and you have it free of charge. You don't have to earn it. The more you understand and believe this, the more you experience the effects of this grace in your life, and it doesn’t just give you the power to walk away from wrong things. It causes you to actually want good things, and that’s true freedom.
Some people struggle with addiction and don’t believe they’re ever going to be set free. They feel like they’re always going to want it so badly that it’s all they’ll ever think about, day in and day out. They think that even if they drum up enough willpower to stop doing it, they’re still going to want to do it.
While that kind of willpower can help you resist what tempts you, that’s not freedom. It’s a great start, but a higher level of freedom is possible, and it’s summed up in Philippians 2:13 (NKJV): “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
God doesn’t just work in you to do good things. He also works in you to want to do good things! There’s a big difference! Keep trusting in the fact that God’s grace is yours as a believer, and you’ll be empowered to live life His way... and to love doing it.
Everything Jesus Deserves
When you give your life to Jesus, you get in on God’s grace. Understanding grace powers your faith because you realize you have everything you need within you to live the awesome life He has promised.
However, there’s something else that you need to understand to develop unshakable faith. It’s called righteousness, which is your right-standing with God. You see, whenever you try to believe you can have what God says you can have—whether it’s health, prosperity, guidance or peace—your biggest enemy will be doubt.
All your faults and failures will come to mind, and you’ll think you haven’t been good enough to deserve God’s help. Even if you believe God does miracles, you won’t be fully persuaded that miracles will happen in your life if you don’t understand righteousness. You need to realize that God’s promises don’t depend on your perfect behaviour. Righteousness isn’t based on what you do. It’s based on what Jesus has done.
Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death, another person did it right and got us out of it. But more than just getting us out of trouble, he got us into life! Romans 5:18 (MSG)
You’re right with God because you trust in Jesus. As a result, you’re entitled to all the blessings and promises that Jesus deserves.
Focus on developing a confident belief in the fact that through Christ Jesus you have everything you need within you to have the kind of life God says you can have, and that you fully qualify for that life because of Jesus. As you grow in your understanding of grace and righteousness, you will develop an unshakable faith that sees the miraculous!
His Grace and Supernatural Ability
You don’t need to focus on trying to make anything up to God.
Nothing is standing between you and a close, loving relationship with your Father God. You can ask Him for what you need knowing that your deservedness is irrelevant. Jesus deserves whatever you’re asking God for, so you’re entitled to it through Him!
As you stand strong in your understanding of grace and righteousness, the miraculous will begin to invade your life. Righteousness, which is your standing with God, is a gift you receive when you trust in Jesus. His grace is yours, which means He’s provided you with everything you need to live the amazing life He’s promised you.
There’s no way you could be the kind of spouse or parent your family needs without God’s power at work in you. The good news is you don’t have to!
“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:30 (NKJV)
In this verse, it’s like Jesus is saying, “I’ve qualified you to be in right-standing with God. You can rise up out of any mess you get into because My ability is yours! You don’t just have access to it when you’re doing everything right. Actually, you need My power in order to do right! My power, love and ability are with you always, even when you don’t measure up.”
Don’t fall for the lie that you have to deal with your bad habits and wrong behaviour before you can go to God for help. Living in His grace means that God’s power and ability are yours to help you with every issue, so come boldly to Him the way you are!
Conclusion
When Jesus died on the cross, an exchange was made. He took our place and paid the price for our sin. In exchange, He gave us all that He deserves. If we choose to trust in Him, we have access to His love, His health and healing, His confident sense of purpose and His intimate relationship with God. Why are you looking at Him, waiting for Him to make a move when He has already moved?
It's time to recognize the beauty and power of what Jesus Christ has done for you.
Through Him, you have God’s forgiveness and His power, and you can come to Him anytime without ever feeling condemned. Even when you mess up, God is not angry with you. You may have to make it up to the people you’ve hurt before they’ll let you back in, but your relationship with God is unshakable. It’s based on what Jesus has done, so you’re always in right-standing with Him!
But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law... We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 3:21-22 (NLT)
If you try to make things right with God or try to earn miracles through your behaviour, it’s actually a type of arrogance. You’re basically saying that God has to do something for you because you’re doing things for Him. Meanwhile, you couldn’t qualify to get yourself healed of a headache!
God gave us Jesus so we could step into a new life without the burden of condemnation—a life flooded with grace! Realize you have the right to ask, not because you’re perfect, but because Jesus is perfect.