What is grace, where did grace come from, and why is it so important? Let us read to find our answers.

In Titus 2:11 it tells us “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” In these verses it is telling us that grace aka His Spirit was brought to teach humanity how to walk in righteousness, by denying all worldly customs. Without His Spirit we would be eternally lost, because we are not able to stand in front of God blameless, but through His Spirit is what keeps us from the penalty of the law. In John 14:26 it says “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” The Holy Spirit is the one who will keep us on track with righteousness (accordance with the law of God); it is not of ourselves, because we, being filled with sin have no true knowledge of holiness.

In Galatians 5:18 it says “But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” So does this mean the law has been abolished or no longer exists since we are led by the Spirit? Certainly not. When we are led by the Spirit of God it means that we are doing everything according to the law, because the Spirit is the one guiding us to be in accordance with the law, which is also known as fruits or good works.

Looking at the law, Paul says “wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good” Romans 7:12. The law has always been holy and will forever be holy and binding (Psalms 111:7-8, 119:89); however, the problem is that it can only show us our faults also called sin; the same as if we would look into the mirror to see if we had anything on our face, the mirror would show our blemishes. That is why Paul says “..When the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.” Romans 7:9. When he saw the commandments of God, it revealed unto him all his sins, which caused him to feel unworthy of life. The law is holy but it cannot save anyone, because it does not have the ability to shed blood “without shedding of blood is no remission” Hebrews 9:22; however, Christ who is holy and sinless was able to shed His blood on our behalf; to free us FROM sin, not free us IN our sins; to take the place of the penalty of the law, not to take away the law.

The law and grace are inseparable. They work together just as we can’t have a cause without an effect, faith without works, or the body without the spirit, it would be impossible, as it says “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” Psalm 85:10.

Being led by the Spirit aka “being under grace” keeps us from the penalty of the law, because we are already doing the things according to the law when we are being led by the Spirit, so there is no penalty for us since it is placed then upon Christ; however, being led by the flesh aka “sin” (transgression of the law) we are then placed back under the penalty of the law, because we are breaking it which causes the penalty to fall on us, instead of Christ. In 1Timothy 1:9-10 is says “Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;” The law is made for the unrighteous, sinners, ungodly people, not for those who are led by His Spirit, because they are already producing righteousness.

Lets looks at what the Spirit and what the flesh produces..

Flesh(Sin): Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like.

They will NOT inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21.

Fruit of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance.

They WILL inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:22-23.

“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12.

Now looking back at everything that we have went over; the law is not going anywhere because God said “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips” Psalms 89:34. The law stands forever, and grace does not cancel out the law, but was given so that we may be able to uphold it.

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. (James 2:8-13)