Dependence on Grace

UV 4196/10000 Dependence on Grace For all who depend on the Law ( seeking justification and salvation by obedience to the Law and the observance of rituals) are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed ( condemned to destruction) is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, so as to practice them.” Galatians 3 v 10 The curse or the shadow of hamartia ( shortcoming) is upon all humanity from the beginning of the fall of man. It is impossible to obtain salvation of our souls by obedience to the Law of God as we are not able to obey every aspect of the law even if we obey a part of it. This gap is filled by grace that we obtain by our faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus, the Blemishless, Flawless One on the cross. Hence, Paul wrote that now we live not under the shadow of the law, shadow of sin but under the shadow of the Almighty. Instead of being cursed, we are now blessed. We, having obtained right standing with God through Christ, are to live by faith and in grace. We have access to the spiritual inheritance promised to Abraham and his descendants by virtue not of our own good deeds but by our faith. We are set free from the requirements of the Law and set apart to fulfill the Lord’s calling in and through our lives here on earth. We have enormous freedom and yet, we are slaves by choice of God, servants of Christ. We have the full rights and privileges of children of God. We have the right to call Him “Abba” or Father as Jesus calls Him. We have right to every blessing Jesus enumerated in the sermon on the Mount, the beatitudes. We have privileges as citizens of the kingdom of God. He gives us the privilege of being His viceroys on earth, Priests and kings by grace. We depend not on man-made rules or even God-given Law but on the hope that the promises of the Lord contained in His word evince in us. Since we are justified by faith, we have no reason to feel proud, to be self righteous or to boast. We depend on grace for everything in our lives, from beginning to the end. We are clothed in Christ or covered by His grace, His unearned, unmerited favour. We are called to make known His name, His grace and glory. All for the greater glory of Jesus, as the Jesuits would put it.