There are basically two ways to live - either under the law or under grace. We live under the law even though we may not even acknowledge that there is a law. When we do our own thing in our own way, we have chosen to live under the law. The law says that the "wages of sin is death..." Rom. 6:23, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Rom. 3:23 The result is that everyone has violated God's law and are subject to eternal punishment - that's what the death mentioned above is all about. One of the chief characteristics of life under the law is fear. The fear is often seen as worry or anxiety. To cover the fear you work, party, play, do chemicals etc. You'll do anything to occupy your mind. You worry about things that you have no control over. Under grace, on the other hand, we are assured of the fact that even though we have sinned God has shown us His love by paying the penalty for our sin and setting us free from the law of sin and death. This is called grace, the unmerited favor of God. The other half of Rom. 6:23 says, "...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." I John 4:18. Walking in grace is learning to love God and to be loved by Him. It is learning to trust Him, and it is learned over a lifetime.

Learning to Walk in Grace