Ephesians 3:2
“Surely you have heard of the administration of God’s grace, having been given to me toward you”.
Paul introduced this great mystery of grace. Glimpses of it was seen in the Old Testament. Jesus spoke of it, "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ", (John 1:17). God used Paul to give the details of grace to a great degree.
The book of Romans is the masterpiece on grace. It isn't anything a person could have derived independent of a revelation from God. Which it was. God first appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus in Acts 9. Galatians 1:11,12 says, "For I would have you know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel which was preached by me is not of human invention. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ."
Due to the fall we have guilty consciences and are afraid of God and what He would ask of us. But Jesus comes along and says this, '“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light"', (Matthew 11:28-30). That doesn't sound like someone to be afraid of. That's grace.
The way that Paul writes Romans is like building an argument. As he does this he anticipates questions, asks then answers them. An example of this is Romans 5:20b, "where sin increased, grace abounded all the more". Paul brings up the question and answers it in Romans 6:1, 2, "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? Far from it! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?" This is a great way to teach. Questions naturally arise. Without an answer we wouldn't grasp completely what's being taught.
The book of Romans goes to great lengths to teach the grace of God that the sacrifice of Jesus brings into our relationship with God. The Old Testament seems to have a national relationship with God. David breaks with that as does Job. Jesus brings about a personal relationship with God. This is earth shattering news. The great creator of Genesis and the Holy God of Sinai wants to enter our hearts and walk with us individually. This relationship is grace based, not law based.
The Old Testament relationship was Law based which left the people hyper focused on their behavior. The result was guilty consciences. Jesus fulfilled the Law, so the people relate to God based on Grace. In regard to guilt that may remain, Romans 8:1 says, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Every human heart exalts at this. It's difficult to accept. We've been redeemed and forgiven, yet we still sin. The devil and our hearts condemn us. We have to work at ridding ourselves of those thoughts. God isn't condemning us.
Romans 8 has other great verses that are helpful. Verse 11 tells us that the Spirit in us gives us life. Verse 14 tells us that we are children of God and therefore led by Him. Verse 16 says, "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children." Our spirit cries out, "Abba, Father". Verse 27 says, "And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." The topic of guilt is a nonissue. The Spirit has moved on to life and blessing and adoption.
His grace makes us more gracious. We get caught up on petty issues. The Lord loosens our grip and works on our hearts to forgive. He helps us to love our neighbor. As we obey this is choosing grace. Jesus talks about he human heart that contains selfishness and anger. He melts that and instills love. More miracles.
Thus God's revolution changing one heart at a time. Satan has his "I will's" which fuel hate and selfishness. God teaches us to give it away. The old hymn says, "the cross before us". The weapon of our warfare is love.
Lord, thank You for Jesus and Your grace. You saved and changed us. You use us to change others. Your great grace. Thank You.
We are always learning more about God's grace. The more we learn the more we appreciate and love God.