He Broke our Fall

Our third word for the, “What Does This Even Mean?” series is, grace. We hear, say, and sing this word often in Christian culture. Grace is God’s merciful kindness exerted on souls to cover unrighteousness. Grace is the undeserved and available reality of a relationship with Jesus.

I only had my license for a few months. One evening I was driving home and it happened. I heard the sirens and I saw the blue and red flashing lights. “Ma’am do you know how fast you were going?” The officer proceeded to tell me I was going 20 over! “I could take you to jail.” Thankfully, the officer showed me grace. However, a penalty for my offense would have been what I deserved.

Romans 3:20, “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.”

After Adam and Eve’s sin in the Garden, there was an avoidable need for the Law. Basically, there had to be consequences for our actions. Somebody or something had to pay for the bad. However, this led to an exhausting pursuit of works to undo a permanent sin. Then and now, we disobey God with the inability to solely justify ourselves.

Romans 3:21, “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—”

Jesus was not a delayed plan to justify our sin. In fact, God foretold Jesus’ defeat right in the Garden. Thank God! Jesus came to Earth to fulfill the Law; He did what we could never do. Jesus is the righteousness of God, not us. Yet, in the shadow of His life, we are counted secured. Grace has broken our fall.

Romans 3:22-24, “ the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,”

Grace is placed upon us when we accept this gift. We have all been born into sin, but through faith in Christ, we are saved. It is powerful enough to turn our eyes on Christ. Through grace we are near and strengthened in Jesus. Oh, how sweet it is!

Like driving over the speed limit, we all have broken the law. God—like the officer—could have let us be dead in sin and forever be punished. Gracefully, He didn’t. If in Christ, we have been justified and therefore innocent due to Him. Friend, this is for all!

How have you seen God’s grace in your own life? Why should grace be considered a gift? We encourage you to pray and thank God for this gift!

-Cam