How does Freedom Come through Christ's Grace?

Paul, in his epistles to the churches of Galatia in Asia Minor stated the core message of the Gospel. 'Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ'. Paul wishes the churches in Galatia Grace and Peace not from him but from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. For that is indeed what God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ wish upon us all, Grace and Peace. If anyone was wondering whether or not to believe this statement then Paul reminds the Galatians, 'the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.' God loved us so much that he gave his son to die on the cross, so that we might have life. It was important to remind his readers of this for Paul thought that many of them may have forgotten this very important fact.

Paul knew about grace, he not only went against some of the concepts of the Gospel in his personal life but he actively persecuted the church, approving when Stephen the first Christian martyr was stoned to death by a mob. Paul knew what it was like to be ragged. Yet Jesus called him to be used in his kingdom and take a leading role. It is bit like the European Union asking Nigel Farage to run the European Commission. Paul Jesus' arch enemy was given a key place in Christ's kingdom not because he earned it but because he was called. We cannot earn Christ's love he loves us just as we are and he has a plan for our lives that will grow his kingdom and grow us in the joy of his love but it won't make him love us anymore than he already does.

Paul accepted grace in his life. According to him in Galatians 1:12, 'I did not receive it [Grace] from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.'  It was on the road to Damascus that the risen Christ appeared to Paul and called him to ministry yet Paul had to accept that grace and accept God's call for his life.

In the Bible we read the story of the centurion who needed Jesus to heal his servant. The centurion's men come to Jesus to ask him for help, notice the reaction of the Jews, 'This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.' The Gentile Roman soldier had contributed so much, he had given of his wealth and he had been good. Therefore the Jews said he had earned the help of Jesus. So Jesus goes but the centurion sends word and he says, ' I do not consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word and my servant will be healed.' When Jesus heard this he was amazed, ' I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.' The Centurion knew about God's grace and he knew even more about God's grace that day when his servant was healed.

Accepting grace takes faith, we need to keep reminding ourselves of it, we need to step out in faith, because we can let go of things that we hold onto because we think they makes us loved. So it is with faith as we step out knowing God loves us.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

When Jesus came he gave us freedom from sun and damnation not by the law but by grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.