What makes grace, grace?

Romans 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. What makes grace, grace? Paul told his readers that if the righteousness the Gentiles and the remnant of Israel obtained is by grace, then it is no longer on the basis of works of righteousness according to the Law. So that’s what makes grace, grace. The righteousness of God is given as a gift, not as something that is due because of our efforts. He had already said this back in Rom. 4:1-5 “What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? ‘ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.’ Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.” So Paul wanted his readers to learn that the righteousness of God was never a law of righteousness whereby one who performed what God required in the Law would be rewarded with life and right standing before God. Right standing before God was and always has been based on grace through faith. We want to be careful to note that Paul clearly taught in Rom. 6 that because our relationship with God is based on grace, it doesn’t mean that we can sin so that grace can increase in glory. The evidence that someone is under grace is that they believe Jesus is life and Lord. They have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them to put the deeds of the flesh to death and to witness to the righteousness in which they stand by giving them a heart to do what is right. If we have a heart to love God and love others with Jesus, then we know we both stand before God and live by His grace. Today, we live to love by God’s grace. We abide in Him, receive our lives from Him and live through Him, for the glory of God because it is His power at work in and through us. Thank You, Father, for the grace in which we stand. Thank You, Jesus, for the righteousness you performed for us that we might stand clothed and unashamed before God. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for manifesting the life and righteousness of Jesus in our lives as we walk in this world. Give us the love we need today as we meet the people You’ve placed in our paths. Amen. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com