LIVING UNDER GOD'S GRACE
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: 2 Corinthians 13:14
Key Verse: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” — 2 Corinthians 13:14
Supporting Texts: Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:1-2; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Titus 2:11-12; Hebrews 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:10; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5
Description: Living under God's grace means continually depending on the undeserved favour of God through Christ, allowing His grace to save, sustain, transform, strengthen, and empower us for His purpose.
INTRODUCTION
Paul concluded his second letter to the Corinthians with a powerful blessing: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all.” Grace is at the heart of the Christian experience because everything we receive from God is made possible through His unmerited favour. We are saved by grace, forgiven by grace, strengthened by grace, and sustained by grace.
Living under God's grace does not mean living carelessly or using grace as an excuse for sin. Grace teaches us to reject ungodliness and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. God's grace does not merely pardon our past; it also transforms our present and equips us for the future.
Every believer needs to understand how to live under grace. Human strength is limited, circumstances change, people may fail us, and our own abilities are insufficient for everything God has called us to accomplish. But God's grace is sufficient. When we depend upon Him, His grace gives us strength where we are weak, wisdom where we lack understanding, and power to fulfil His purpose.
1. UNDERSTAND WHAT GOD'S GRACE MEANS
Before we can live under grace, we must understand that grace is God's undeserved favour and enabling power at work in our lives.
a. Grace Is God's Unmerited Favour (Ephesians 2:8-9) — Salvation is a gift from God received through faith, not a reward that can be earned by human works.
b. Grace Brings Us Into God's Family (Romans 5:1-2) — Through faith in Christ, we have peace with God and access by faith into the grace in which we stand.
c. Grace Is Greater Than Our Failure (Romans 5:20) — Where sin increased, grace abounded much more, demonstrating the surpassing power of God's grace.
d. Grace Is Given Through Jesus Christ (John 1:16-17) — Through Christ we receive grace upon grace, because grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Biblical Example: The apostle Paul received extraordinary grace after his conversion. Though he had persecuted the church, God's grace transformed him into a powerful servant of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:9-10).
2. RECEIVE GOD'S GRACE THROUGH FAITH
Grace is God's provision, but we must receive and depend upon it by faith.
a. Come Boldly To God's Throne (Hebrews 4:16) — Believers can approach God's throne with confidence to receive mercy and find grace in times of need.
b. Believe God's Promises (Romans 4:20-21) — Faith enables us to trust that God is able to fulfil what He has promised.
c. Depend On Christ Rather Than Yourself (Philippians 4:13) — Our ability to accomplish God's purposes comes from Christ who strengthens us.
d. Walk In What God Has Provided (2 Peter 1:3) — God's divine power has given us everything necessary for life and godliness through the knowledge of Christ.
Biblical Example: Abraham believed God's promise even when circumstances appeared impossible. His faith rested upon God's ability rather than human strength (Romans 4:18-21).
3. LET GRACE STRENGTHEN YOU IN WEAKNESS
God's grace becomes especially evident when human strength reaches its limit.
a. God's Grace Is Sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9) — Christ told Paul that His grace was sufficient and that His strength was made perfect in weakness.
b. Do Not Depend On Human Strength (Zechariah 4:6) — God's purposes are accomplished not by human might or power, but by His Spirit.
c. Receive Strength For Difficult Seasons (Isaiah 40:29) — God gives power to the faint and increases strength to those who have no might.
d. Continue When You Feel Weak (Galatians 6:9) — Grace enables believers to remain faithful and not become weary in doing what is good.
Biblical Example: Elijah became exhausted and discouraged after his confrontation with the prophets of Baal, but God strengthened and renewed him for the journey ahead (1 Kings 19:4-8).
4. ALLOW GRACE TO TRANSFORM YOUR CHARACTER
Grace does not only forgive us; it teaches us to become more like Christ.
a. Grace Teaches Us To Reject Sin (Titus 2:11-12) — God's grace teaches believers to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously, and godly.
b. Grace Produces Humility (James 4:6) — God gives more grace to the humble but resists those who walk in pride.
c. Grace Helps Us Forgive Others (Colossians 3:13) — Those who have received God's grace should extend forgiveness and patience to others.
d. Grace Produces Christlike Living (2 Peter 3:18) — Believers are called to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Biblical Example: Zacchaeus encountered the transforming grace of Jesus and demonstrated genuine change by correcting his relationship with those he had wronged (Luke 19:1-10).
5. DEPEND ON GRACE FOR SERVICE
God's work cannot be accomplished successfully through human ability alone. We need His grace for every assignment He gives us.
a. Grace Gives Us Ability To Serve (1 Corinthians 15:10) — Paul acknowledged that his labour was possible because God's grace worked within him.
b. Grace Gives Spiritual Gifts (Romans 12:6) — Believers receive different gifts according to the grace given to them by God.
c. Grace Gives Boldness (Acts 4:33) — The apostles witnessed about Christ with great power, and great grace was upon them all.
d. Grace Helps Us Finish Our Assignment (Acts 20:24) — Paul considered his life valuable when spent faithfully completing the ministry he had received from Christ.
Biblical Example: Bezalel was empowered by God with wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and craftsmanship to accomplish the work of constructing the tabernacle (Exodus 31:1-6).
6. REMAIN HUMBLE UNDER GRACE
Because grace is God's gift, nobody has a legitimate reason to boast as though God's blessings were achieved entirely through personal ability.
a. Remember That Everything Comes From God (1 Corinthians 4:7) — Whatever we possess has ultimately been received, so there is no room for pride.
b. Give God The Glory (1 Corinthians 10:31) — Everything we do should be done for God's glory rather than personal recognition.
c. Submit To God's Grace (James 4:6) — God gives grace to the humble, making humility essential to continued spiritual growth.
d. Honour Others (Philippians 2:3) — Grace teaches believers to value others and avoid selfish ambition and pride.
Biblical Example: John the Baptist demonstrated remarkable humility when he declared that Christ must increase while he himself must decrease (John 3:30).
7. DO NOT RECEIVE GOD'S GRACE IN VAIN
Grace must produce a response. We must not receive God's favour and then live contrary to the purpose for which He has called us.
a. Do Not Frustrate God's Grace (Galatians 2:21) — Paul warned against treating God's grace as though Christ's sacrifice were unnecessary.
b. Walk Worthy Of Your Calling (Ephesians 4:1) — God's grace should produce a life that reflects the calling we have received.
c. Abound In Good Works (2 Corinthians 9:8) — God gives sufficient grace so that believers can abound in every good work.
d. Continue Growing Spiritually (2 Peter 3:18) — We must continually grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Biblical Example: Demas began as a fellow worker with Paul but later abandoned the ministry because he loved the present world. His life warns us not to allow worldly desires to overcome our commitment to God (Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:10).
8. EXPECT GOD'S GRACE FOR EVERY NEW LEVEL
Every new assignment, responsibility, challenge, and opportunity requires fresh dependence upon God.
a. Grace Is Available For Every Need (Hebrews 4:16) — God invites us to come confidently to receive grace whenever we need His help.
b. Grace Multiplies Through Christ (2 Peter 1:2) — Grace and peace are multiplied to believers through the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ.
c. God Gives More Grace For Greater Demands (James 4:6) — When responsibilities increase, we must depend more deeply upon God rather than ourselves.
d. God's Grace Will Carry You Through (2 Corinthians 9:8) — God is able to make all grace abound toward us so that we have sufficiency in all things and can abound in every good work.
Biblical Example: Joshua received God's presence and strength to lead Israel after Moses' death. What was beyond his natural ability became possible because God promised to be with him (Joshua 1:5-9).
CONCLUSION
Living under God's grace means refusing to depend exclusively on human strength and choosing to rely upon God's provision every day. Grace saves us, forgives us, strengthens us, transforms our character, equips us for service, and gives us power to fulfil divine assignments. The grace of God is not a licence to remain unchanged; it is the divine power that enables us to become what God has called us to be.
Therefore, come boldly to God, depend upon His grace in every situation, remain humble, and allow His grace to produce spiritual fruit in your life. When you are weak, His grace is sufficient. When you face a difficult assignment, His grace is available. When you fall, His grace can restore you. When God enlarges your responsibility, His grace will sustain you. May you continually live under the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and become a vessel through which His purpose is fulfilled.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, thank You for the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that has saved and sustained me, in Jesus name.
2. Lord Jesus, let Your grace continually speak for me and strengthen me in every area of my life, in Jesus name.
3. Father, help me to depend completely upon Your grace and not upon my own strength, in Jesus name.
4. Lord, let Your grace be sufficient for me in every difficult situation I am facing, in Jesus name.
5. Father, let Your grace transform my character and make me more like Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.
6. Lord, give me grace to overcome every temptation, weakness, and spiritual limitation, in Jesus name.
7. Father, release fresh grace upon my ministry, work, family, and every assignment You have committed into my hands, in Jesus name.
8. Lord, deliver me from pride and help me to remain humble under Your grace, in Jesus name.
9. Father, let Your grace open doors, provide opportunities, and empower me for every new level You are bringing me into, in Jesus name.
10. Lord, help me to live faithfully under Your grace and never receive Your grace in vain, in Jesus name.
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS
1. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ shall continually rest upon your life.
2. You shall not fail in the assignment God has committed into your hands because His grace shall sustain you.
3. Where your natural strength ends, the supernatural grace of God shall take over.
4. Every difficult season before you shall be overcome by the sustaining grace of God.
5. You shall receive fresh grace for every new responsibility, opportunity, and level God brings into your life.
6. The grace of God shall distinguish you and make room for you where human ability cannot.
7. You shall grow in spiritual maturity, wisdom, holiness, and Christlike character.
8. You shall not frustrate the grace of God upon your life, but you shall fulfil your divine assignment faithfully.
9. Every weakness that has limited your progress shall become an opportunity for God's strength to be revealed in you.
10. From this day forward, you shall live under God's grace, walk in His favour, fulfil His purpose, and finish your assignment successfully, in Jesus name.
