The Gospel of the Grace of God
But I make my life nothing, a message precious than myself which I fulfill, that my task and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24)
The gospel message is that salvation is a gift from God, freely given by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than something from human effort. This profound truth is throughout scripture, particularly in the writings of Paul. Paul puts emphasis on this as a gift of God in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast."
This passage underscores the idea that salvation is dependent on God's grace, not human merit. Yes, it is through faith but according to grace, so we should not so easily set aside grace. The gospel of grace's main emphasis is "in Christ alone," which Paul articulates well in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, "... so that no one boasts in the presence of God. Now, you exist from him in Christ Jesus, who became our wisdom from God, and these; righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. So that just as written 'let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord'."
The role of Jesus Christ, also called the works of Jesus, is central to the Gospel of Grace. What Jesus did for us and what we receive in Christ is the final say, having testimony from God and a spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing more of him. This includes the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, through His death and resurrection, He provided the means for humanity to be reconciled to God. Romans 3:23-24 affirms this:
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."
This verse highlights that justification, being declared righteous before God, is made possible through Christ's sacrifice. The new covenant or testament establishes Jesus as existing the resurrection and life. After he was raised through the power of the Holy Spirit and ascended on high, he sends us the gift of the promised Holy Spirit, so we too have the same Spirit that raised him available to us. This is possible through the new covenant he established in his death and blood.
Grace vs. The Law
Paul contrasts grace with the Mosaic Law, explaining that righteousness cannot be achieved through adherence to the law. Galatians 2:21 states:
"I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the law, Christ died for nothing."
Here, Paul argues that salvation is not based on human effort but on God's grace.
Through out the writings of Paul we see this truth we are released from the Law and bound to Christ in a new covenant where we live in the new living way of the Sprit not the written code. This is explained in more detail in the The New Living Way, No Condemnation In Christ, Righteous Before God, and Under Grace. The redemptive work of Christ and imputed righteousness is one distinction between the old and new covenant but also being a new creation in Christ, and how we are being sanctified and transformed through Christ.
The very nature of God's grace speaks to being released from the Law and being made alive to live in The New Living Way of the Spirit. The ministry of the Spirit and righteousness, in the new covenant established by the death of Jesus, excels the glory of the old which Paul states was a ministry of death and condemnation. And since the new has come the old no longer has any glory due to the surpassing glory that comes in Christ (2 Corinthians 3:7-10). “Because God said 'from darkness light will shine out of darkness,' who has flooded our hearts with the light of the glorious knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6). The glory of God that shown in the face of Moses was veiled, God's glory was meant to come in Christ, so we with unveiled face look to Jesus.
Thus, the gospel of the grace of God includes the aspect of being released from the Law and its death and condemnation so that we live in the new living way of the Spirit. We are being transformed from glory to glory, by looking into the face of Jesus which shines the glory of God, not by living to laws. If we build up that which was tore down, we become a lawbreaker, we fall from grace and sever ourselves from the life flow of Jesus and do not have fellowship with the the Father (Galatians 2:16-18; Galatians 5:1-6; Ephesians 2:13-18).
Through grace we are saved, reconciled to God and can know Him, we have confidence to approach His throne of Grace and receive grace and mercy as needed (Hebrews 4:16). Grace embodies the very essence of God and Jesus who came in His fullness. Thus "grace upon grace" we have received from God through Christ.
By grace through faith we are being saved. If we walk by faith and the Spirit, we will we bear fruit of God fulling His righteousness, thus as Paul writes "grace reigns through righteousness" and the Spirit is life through righteousness (Romans 5:17; Romans 5:21; Romans 8:4; Romans 8:10).
Transformation Through Grace
While salvation is by grace, a gift freely given, it also brings transformation. Titus 2:11-12 declares:
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age."
Grace not only saves but also empowers believers, through the Holy Spirit and Word of God, to live in accordance with God's will.
And how did the grace of God appear? Just as it is written "and the word of God became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory like as the only begotten son from the Father full of grace and truth. John testified of him and cried out saying 'this is the one whom I said he comes after me,' coming into existence greater than I because he existed before me because from his fullness we all received also grace upon grace." -- John 1:14-16
Grace in the Life of the Believer
The Gospel of Grace assures believers of their standing before God and provides strength in times of weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 records God's words to Paul:
"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness."
This verse reminds believers that God's grace sustains them through life's challenges through the power of God.
John the Baptist understood the purpose of grace, saying about Jesus, "because from his fullness we all received also grace upon grace." The fullness of God is something Paul writes God purposed in Christ through the church, explained more in The Fullness of Christ, The Fullness of God, Christ Filling All In All, and Christ our Sanctification: Fullness in Christ.
Conclusion
The Gospel of the Grace of God is a profound message of salvation and transformation. This is what God purposed in Christ before he created the world and is working all for our good; that we be conformed to the image of his son (Romans 8:28-29).
The message of the gospel of grace reveals the spiritual blessings and promises of God in Christ. And that his grace is sufficient to mature us through the washing of the word and regenerative power of the Holy Spirit. The children predestined and chosen of God are called to live a life shaped by grace in which righteousness reigns unto life as we grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus.