by Scarlett Stough
Grace from God is given to those who put their trust in God through his son, Jesus the Christ. Grace is a gift to those who believe, but a high price was paid in the blood of Jesus. This grace gives us peace with God, but not license to transgress God's law. As Paul wrote to the Romans:
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means? We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Romans 6:1-4
Abraham's faith, credited to him as righteousness (Romans 4:1-3), led him to obey God. He left his old life without knowing where he was going when God told him to go.
The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.” … So Abram left, as the LORD had told him….
Genesis 12:1, 4
Those who believe through Jesus are also told to leave their old way of life and live a new life.
Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
John 12:25-26
Paul told the Ephesians:
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24
Peter wrote:
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God in the day he visits us.
1 Peter 2:11-12
Everyone serves something, but only the Creator God can give us the grace of Eternal Life (John 3:16-21).