One of the greatest privileges of being a New Testament believer is living under grace and not under the law. The lifestyle of those living under grace is very different than those under the law. Before we go on to see how the lifestyles are different, let me lay some fundamental foundations first.

The Lord Jesus Christ by His sinless life and sacrificial death on the cross has fulfilled the law, thereby bringing to a complete end the dispensation of the law. Therefore, believers in Christ are no longer under the law but under grace.

Romans 6:14

” Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.”

Living under grace is standing firm in the liberty by which Christ has made you free from the yoke of the law. It is serving God by walking in the Spirit or living by the Spirit of God!

Galatians 5:1

“So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.“

The believers under grace are intentional about how they walk, not by the flesh, but by the Spirit of God.

Now that we have touched the foundational elements, lets see what the lifestyle of New testament believers look like under grace.

1) Whatever they do, they do it from all their heart:

Whenever we feel we “have to” or “cannot” do certain things, our sheer willpower only takes us so far. We may be able to follow those rules for a while but it’s just like the college kid who cleaned his room out of obligation- when he went away to college, he chose to live in utter filth. The change of scenery revealed that his heart was never all-in. You are trying to clean up the outside without addressing the heart.

The law simply points out what we cannot do on our own (keep the law) and directs us to only that which can- God’s grace. When we live under grace, we find ourselves doing the very things we “should” do, not because we have to, but because we want to.

Colossians 3:23,24

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

There are many scriptures that encourage us to work wholeheartedly in whatever we do, if I were to mention them all here, the blog would get quite lengthy. One translation says, “Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.” Those under grace put their very best effort, working from their whole being knowing that they are serving Christ Jesus who saved them. They give nothing less than their very best, working with all their might. They have that character to do excellent things when no one is looking. They have reverential fear and awe that God is watching all things.

2) Rejoicing always and being thankful in everything:

It is our Christian duty to rejoice in the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 5:16, 17:

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

As we abide in Christ, we experience the joy of His presence. There is no joy outside of Christ. The real joy comes when we abide in Him and He abides in us. When joy is involved in everything we do, we go over and above in fulfilling what’s required of us. Do you see what this shift does from being under the law and coming under grace? We no longer find ourselves struggling with things we “should” do, rather we find ourselves wanting to do things we are supposed to do because our hearts have been changed by God. Law is no longer our dictator!

John 15: 10,11

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full.”

There is no boredom in the life of those under grace as they are thankful in all circumstances. They learn to be content, thanking God for all the provisions in life. Not to say that they aren’t ambitious, but they ask God for what their needs are and God richly supplies their needs. After all, God fulfills the desires of those who rejoice in Him. The Bible goes on to say that even the pleasures and enjoyment in life are richly provided by God.

Thus, boredom has no place in life of those under grace as they are continually rejoicing with thanksgiving in Christ Jesus.

3) Eager to do good things:

People of the New Testament are peculiar kind of people who are earnest in doing good things.

Titus 2:14

“who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

They do not wait to be told what to do, but they find out what pleases the Lord and act upon it. They are special kind of people, God’s own possession who declare His excellencies in this dark world. They are peculiar in the sense that God counts on them to do things that He desires. They don’t disappoint God. In case they fall, they get back up to continue running their race. And God is faithful. He upholds them in their weakness. Such is the relationship of those under grace with God who redeemed them through Christ Jesus.

I am sure there are many characteristics of New Testament believers under grace. If God puts something on your heart, please share that in comments below.

Lastly, if you are reading this blog and wonder how to become a person walking under grace, I would like to give you the opportunity to give your life to Christ Jesus. God who created the heavens and the earth, the Creator of all things, became man and entered the world. He was called Jesus Christ. His goal was to die in place of sinners like you and I who are lost in sin, without hope. Because no matter how many good works we do, we can not save our own souls. Christ died the sacrificial death on the cross and rose again on the third day defeating death and power of sin over our lives. This victory can be yours if you place your faith in Christ. All you have to do is believe and ask Jesus to come into your life. And you will be saved passing on from being under the law and coming under the grace of God. Because that’s how we are saved- by God’s grace and mercy.

God Bless!