We think of the grace of God as God’s unmerited favor through which we have the forgiveness of sins. It is, but it is also God’s ability working in us to make us different. Grace helps us to live right, and you can appropriate that grace through prayer whenever you need it!

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14, AV).

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:1-4, AV).

MT Some think that the message of grace is a license to sin (or a get out of jail free card), but on the contrary, grace provides God’s supernatural ability for us to live right before God.

Grace (charis) God’s unmerited favor Greek Lexicon: 1. good will, loving-kindness, favor 2. of the merciful kindness by which God exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues. (nurtue and admonition)

GRACE TEACHES US TO LIVE RIGHT

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. (Titus 2:11-15, AV).

GOD IS WORKING ON YOU!

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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10, AV).

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13, AV).

NOT BY OUR STRENGTH, BUT BY GRACE

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (1Corinthians 15:10, AV).

APPROPRIATING GRACE THROUGH PRAYER

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16, AV).

CONCLUSION: By confessing our sin and receiving God’s mercy, we can then find grace to help in time of need. We NEED help! Help Lord! Help!!!