Paul identifies something spectacular that happens when we are transformed by a generous, loving and good God. Grace begets grace. Grace makes us gracious. God makes us gracious in the most difficult circumstances. God turns self-centered and self-absorbed hearts into hearts that are ready for every good work. God’s grace makes us peaceful, gentle and humble in the most painful circumstances (Titus 3:1-2).
Grace teaches us by the power of the Holy Spirit to 1) unpack who we are in Jesus Christ and 2) shed who we aren’t any longer. As grace unleashes who we are in Christ, we will begin to shed ungodliness and worldly lusts and liver soberly, righteously and godly in the present age.
Grace brings us into the family, and grace also gifts us to serve the family.
Two Lives, Two Destinies: the law of sowing and reaping. Believers who live by the Spirit reap rewards that last forever, they even share their finances with spiritual leaders! However, those who try to control their lives through the flesh reap “destruction” (φθορά)
In one of the most important passages on the Christian life in the Bible, Paul explains the grace gospel alternative to the law. By walking in the Spirit, Christians overcome the self-indulgent sins of the flesh and express their faith through love, a love that glorifies God by displaying the character of Christ.
The big picture of Paul’s glorious presentation of Christian liberty contrasts two systems of righteousness: works-righteousness – which always enslaves, and grace-righteousness – which always liberates. It also forces us to see that true liberty is always about Christ and others.
What we have discovered as we shepherd our people is that one of the most difficult steps in the Christian life is to trust grace in community — to be known, to trust and to allow imperfect Christians to love us with Jesus’ perfect love. For most of us, this is risky and loaded with possibilities of pain and disappointment.
