John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus.
Grace is not a doctrine or a theological teaching, it is the Person of Jesus. Being a Christian is not about following an instruction manual, it is following a Person.
To understand grace, all you need to do is understand Jesus and what He did for you. The three greatest pictures of grace all relate to the Person of Jesus.
1. Jesus crucified on the cross is a picture of your righteousness in Christ
Righteousness is not the “ability to behave right”, it means “right standing with God”. Jesus exchanged His righteousness for your sin.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he (God) made him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Jesus says in Matthew 6:33 as you seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness, all these things shall be added to you. What things? The necessities of life. A righteousness consciousness is going to effortlessly receive from the Lord.
2. Jesus resurrected from the dead is a picture of you reigning in Christ
Romans 5:17 For if by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
Your ability to reign is not based upon where you were born, your level of education, your talents, and abilities, your remuneration or where you work. It has nothing to do with you but everything to do with Christ. Carrying a Christ consciousness is all you need to reign in life.
3. Jesus seated at the right hand of God is a picture of you resting from your works
The rest the Bible talks about is a rest for your soul (Matthew 11:28). The law was a heavy cross to bear but Jesus' cross is not heavy at all, because all you have to do is receive from Him.
Coming before God with a restful heart is the key to receiving all the blessings of God. Once you have cast your cares upon the Lord, now carry a “carefree” mindset. This is how to rest, trust and by faith receive God’s abundant grace to supply all your needs.
Look back over these three pictures – what is the constant? It is Christ. He does it all for you. He purchases your righteousness; you reign in this life through Him and when you rest in Him with a carefree heart, He supplies all your needs.