Paul the Apostle very carefully and meticulously laid out the case and foundation for salvation by grace and grace only throughout the initial chapters of Romans with a summary to be stated once more in Romans 10.
Romans 10: 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth….
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Having made the full argument for grace, he then began the dissertation for living out that grace. Just because we have been set free from the law does not mean that we live our lives filled with sin, carelessly going about our own selfish desires awaiting the return of Christ. That would be impossible and unheard of in Paul’s perspective. Having experienced the grace that God has provided us and having seen His Righteousness and Glory; how could we ever be content to continue on in our own sin?
Romans 12:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
He continues on to explain how that life surrendered to God should look like. That we should ever be reminded quickly when we have turned our eyes away from Christ back toward looking at ourselves.
Romans 12: 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
My salvation was by grace and did not come because of any merit within myself. If I remember that then my response should also be always one that showcases God’s grace to the world.
Romans 12:
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men…
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
So when you find yourself Christian in a situation that you are failing to represent the Grace that you have been given, STOP, run quickly to the throne of Grace. Jonathan Edwards very aptly laid out the check points to our recognizing when we have begun to act out our flesh and not our new found righteous in Christ in the following quote.
“If I murmur in the least at affliction, if I am in any way uncharitable, if I revenge my own case, if I do anything purely to please myself or omit anything because it is a great denial, if I trust myself, if I take any praise for any good which Christ does by me, or if I am in any way proud, I shall act as my own and not God’s.”
If you are like me and need to dissect your heart a little further to then lay your self exalting, covetous heart before the throne of Grace and give your body as a living Sacrifice to God then I recommend you go back and read an earlier blog of mind that will help you as these steps help me as well.
https://myglorytoglory.com/archives/516 Secrets to Discovering a Forgiving Heart.