Dictionary meanings of ‘grace’ and ‘righteous’ have one thing in common (in this context), sin. One clearly defines grace as ‘uncommon favour especially from God’ and also ‘Divine assistance in resisting sin’ while ‘righteous’ was defined as being ‘free from sin or guilt’. Initially, I had a sense of surprise about finding these meanings in an everyday dictionary; the usual reference to God, His divinity and sin were the major standouts; but it would not matter since God is passing a message across.
Man is a being enveloped by flesh; his flesh remains a constant supply of sinful act for him; especially when not curbed. Flesh enjoys comfort and nothing of stress, it prefers the comfort zone always and this can easily be noted in human behaviour. Man would constantly seek total comfort, even you, your sitting position while reading this article may change if you feel you are no longer comfortable. This inevitable aspect of our lives has included sin in our nature and so, it is natural for man to sin.
Can Man be Righteous?
This question has often raised arguments even among Christian, anyway, from the scriptures, the answer is yes. Job (Job 1:8) was testified of God as being an upright man and the bible also asked us to be righteous as our father in heaven (Matthew 5:48). Come to think of this, since ‘…the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God’ (I Corinthians 6:9), this means God still expects some who are righteous to inherit this kingdom; those people are meant to be you and I.
The law was in operation, then, Jesus Christ came and established grace that we might be free from the flesh and can live to the truth. Romans 6:14; ‘For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace‘. Extensively, Paul spoke about grace in his letters; Romans 5:21; ‘that, as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord’. He was made to realize in II Corinthians 12:9 that even though man is weak, God manifests His strength in him by grace. Righteousness is achievable through the grace of the righteous one.
Now What?
If you now believe that righteousness is possible, and you know you can achieve it through grace, the next step is actualising what you have learnt and you believe. Romans 6:1; ‘What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?’ No, verses 11 and 12 state ‘Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof’. Sin has no dominion in the presence of grace! (verse 14). We often render grace seemingly impotent, why? We have turned it to be an ordinary slogan, a mere means of agitating words. “by God’s grace…” is so much common a phrase people no longer consider its gravity. If you are under grace, let it work to its full potential. To make grace work, we need to ‘reckon’ that we are dead to sin and that we are alive to a being new man. Renew this grace daily by connecting to the Holy Spirit who is your true source. Don’t let the devil ridicule your weakness again, God’s strength is made perfect in weakness (II Corinthians 12:9). It is impossible to be righteous without faith.
Talk to God:
Give me the grace to continue in the right path and to flee from all wrongdoings, amen.
