Access INTO THE GRACE of God and what it means to be UNDER GRACE

Introduction:

The word "grace"means "favour". In context, when we talk about "salvation", God only show grace or FAVOUR to those who are acceptable to Him (which is of course impossible through works...) - in this context, "showing GRACE" is therefore conditional, although in some cases it can be unconditional ! (for example, in terms of caring... - God is gracious and merciful to all people and He expects the same from His children).  Thus, the word grace also refers to "mercy" (as in "take pity on"and "show grace" -  i.e. good deeds etc.).
(1)  In context, "salvation", the condition of FAITH must be met in order to receive grace (in order to be acceptable); 
(2) BUT if we talk about grace in the context of good will (good deeds etc.), there are no conditions (except that we normally care for our own first).  So in this context we must show mercy to all people, even our enemies! We should not favour some people more and therefore expect people to first meet certain conditions in order to receive our/this mercy (as if they're favoured), because God is merciful to all people and He expects the same of us.  


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Summery:
- (1) To get access into the grace of God.
- (2) To be under the grace of Jesus Christ.
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(1) To get access INTO the GRACE of God, you must:

BELIEVE!  
(1) believe in Jesus Christ! Faith give us access into this grace... (Rom. 5:2).
(Rom 5:1)  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
(Rom 5:2)  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

(2) you must be called by the Father into this grace of Christ (Gal. 1:6); and
(3) you must believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the truth that came through Him (Gal. 1:6).

To be in favour (to receive grace) has a lot of advantages. This is true of every Christian, and those that believe in Jesus Christ are cared for and can ask whatever they need/desire and it will be given unto them (if they believe)! (Matt 21:22; 7:7,11; 18:19; Mark 11:24; John 15:7; 16:23; 1 Jn 3:22; 5:14,15; etc.).  But sometimes, even "under grace" Christians don't get what they ask, because of course, if Christians ask for the wrong reasons like own pleasure or according to their own will (James 4:3; 1 Jn 5:14)(as if still in the state of  "the natural man" and desire the things of the world instead of the will of the Spirit of God) it will not necessarily be given to them.  When you get INTO THE GRACE OF GOD you truly get access to His promises,yes!, and can even ask whatever you will !, but because you are "under His grace" (and therefore ought to be obedient to His Spirit) you cannot ask according to fleshly desires (like that of the old man). Being "under His grace" does therefore not mean that you can do what you want, or desire what you want (like some think), but rather means that you are under the will of the Spirit, therefore you must ask according to the Lords will (not your own will).

Sometimes prayers are not answered merely because God's grace is enough...! (we must try to understand what this means). We sometimes think that all Christians receive the same amount of grace, and believe that it's something we only receive once and keep, but what Scripture actually teaches us is that there are different measures or proportions of faith, and therefore "gifts of grace" (for example in order to minister)(Rom. 12:3,6/ Rom. 15:5 / 1 Cor 3:10 / 1 Cor 15:10 / Eph 3:7,8/ Eph 4:7 / 2 Thess 1:12 / 2 Ti 1:9 / 1 Pe 4:10)(Rom. 16:20,24 / 1 Cor. 1:3,4 / 1 Cor 16:23 / 2 Cor 1:2 / 2 Cor 13:14 / Gal 1:3 / Gal 6:18 / Eph 1:2; Phil 1:2 / Col 1:2/ Col 4:18; 1 Thess 1:1 / 1 Thess 5:28 / 2 Thess 1:2 / 2 Thess 3:18  / 1 Ti 1:2 / 1 Ti 6:21 / 2 Ti 1:2 / 2 Ti 4:22 / Tit 1:4 / Tit 3:15 / Phm 1:3 / Phm 1:25 / Heb 13:25 / 1 Pe 1:2 / 2 Jn 1:3 / Rev 1:14 / Rev 22:21). In other words, some are made stronger by receiving more favour or grace in order to minister, and others "less grace" (or in the case of 2 Co 12, "enough grace"). And therefore, though we think that "more grace" will be more beneficial for the ministry, sometimes weakness is better! Paul had this issue in 2 Co 12, and he tells about how "a thorn in the flesh" was given to him - a messenger of Satan to buffet him (v.7). Three times he asked the Lord that it might depart from him, but it didn't  (v.8).  The Lord's answer was plain: "My grace is sufficient for you"  (v.9). In Paul's case the Lord wanted him to be weak so that He could use him. Yeah, that sound almost wrong, but when we are too strong (as Paul already was) it might have to affect that those start to depend on their own answers, will and strenghts, rather than depend on the Lord and His will. Since Paul was "in favour" (under the grace of Jesus Christ) he could ask anything of the Lord, yes, but God decided that His grace was enough for Paul.  He wanted Paul to be weak (for example, "so to stay humble").  This was for Paul's own benefit. He was strong enough to do what he needed to do and any grace that he would receive on top of that would have to effect that he becomes to strong which could have a negative impact on Paul himself (and could not just hurt himself but also the ministry).  For that reason God did not remove the "thorn". Paul accepted the fact that God's grace was enough for him and that the "thorn" would stay with him - look at his words in v.10: -"for when I am weak, then am I strong".  The fact that his prayer was not answered does not mean that Paul fell "out of favour" (or were suddenly not under grace anymore)  but rather it was because God had a very good reason. From v.10 it also seems that the "thorn" Paul was referring to was things that he had to suffer for Christ's sake, i.e. infirmities, reproaches, lack of necessities, persecutions, distresses (2 Co 11:23-20; Col 1:24; 1 Co 4:10-14). This is many times the norm for Christians, because in fact, if they are weak, then they are strong! (because then they don't put their trust in themselves, but in the Lord...).

To be under His grace means very well that
-(1) He will care for you (like friends care for each other), but
-(2) it also refers to the fact that you are His Servant in this world, and it is therefore expected that those UNDER THE GRACE OF JESUS CHRIST will be contend to suffer for His Name's sake.
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(2) To be under the grace of Jesus Christ refers specifically to the "spiritual man" (not the natural man);  thus, "born-again" Christians - thus, those who received the Holy Spirit;  those who were accepted... To be "under grace" is not just about acceptance but also about LOYALTY and COMMITMENT. When Paul talk about how they were "SAVED BY GRACE" (Eph 2), he makes 3 important points of which one refer to "the new person".  Rom. 6:14 explain what this "new person" looks like, and states that people "UNDER GRACE" are people over whom sin has no dominion. When someone comes under the grace of Jesus Christ, the "old man" (natural man) are buried and is raised to a "new man" (spiritual man)(of course this refers to the INNER MAN - not meant literally but spiritually;  although the outer man of the spiritual man is also promised literal resurrection one day!). Those under grace don't live like the old person anymore!, but have crucified the "flesh" (Rom. 6:15).  So, in the context of those "under the grace of Jesus Christ" works are important, but not meant "works of the law of Moses", but "works of faith", because we don't get accepted through the law of Moses but through faith... 

Faith without works is dead. If someone claim to be under grace but live like the old person, then that person either never really believed and received the Holy Spirit, or are falling away... which could have to effect that he/she can fall "out of favour" (and can be cut off when Jesus comes back)(Hebr. 10:28,29). "Works of faith" include acts like: -"to love" (Rev. 2:4; 1 Jn 5:2; 4:20; Matt 5:44 etc.), "to forgive" (Luk. 17:3; 6:37;  Matt. 6:12b,14,15; 18:35 etc.) "to be merciful" (2 Sam. 22:26; Matt. 5:7; Luk. 6:36; Matt. 25:31-46...), etc. 

God is gracious to those "who believe" (those in favour because they believe in Jesus Christ), and they are changed from natural to spiritual men (through water and Spirit). Thus the importance of REBIRTH, because those "under grace" are like NEW people; they think differently, see differently, act differently, etc. (the inward man is renewed; though not yet the outward man...).  They bear fruit "to eternal life" - and hold fast to Jesus' words, His truth; thus, "growing in grace" (2 Pe 3:17,18). A Christian cannot "grow in grace" if he strays from the truth... (http://promisedkingdom.blogspot.com/2018/07/grow-in-grace.html). You cannot claim to "believe in Jesus" but don't believe in His words, teachings, will etc.!?  People "under grace" SEE like Jesus do - and if they don't, they must repent of their way of "seeing" to His way of "seeing".  This is in fact why Jesus' ministry began with a call of repentance... (repentance in that scriptures meaning "to think differently afterwards" / to reconsider).  Repentance is therefore indeed needed when someone come to believe in Jesus Christ, but is also needed when those already under grace fall back into there worldly way of thinking starting to believe like the natural man again and not obeying the truth... (Rom. 2:8). 

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Conclusion:

To be "under grace/favour" is partly about which means we used to receive grace (for example, "how can we be accepted?"), for example, FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. In the Old Testament the "law of Moses" was a means to get accepted;  although, which nobody was able to keep!, and it had limits... 

Those under this grace (those to whom grace.favour is shown) has certain promises (because they received acceptance).

Therefore to be "under grace", refers specifically to those who were/are "in favour" /those who are ACCEPTED by the Lord THROUGH their FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, and therfore, the way to get access into this GRACE (the way to be favoured and accepted by the Lord as His child, and receive the Holy Spirit) is by FAITH in Christ Jesus (Rom. 3:22; 4:11; 10:9; John 1:12; Mark 16:16; Acts 16:31 etc.).  You cannot be under this grace (be accepted) if you don't believe in Jesus Christ (the son of God) and His truth (His teachings, words etc.), because He is the only means through whom you can be accepted. Though the law of Moses was a means in the Old Testament,  nobody was able to keep it and it was with limits... That is why the words "under grace" are used specifically in the context of somebody "not being under the law" (Rom. 6:14,15), but those "under the Spirit of God". (thus referring to those not obeying the law of Moses, but obeying the Holy Spirit.

Those who believe in Jesus Christ are under His grace 
("under the GRACE of Jesus Christ"-Rom. 16:2),
 which means:
(1)  they are children of God - favoured and accepted because of FAITH (in Jesus Christ); their sins are forgiven and they are set apart to serve Him (a "holy" nation);
(2)  they don't have to be born from a specific nation, but through faith in Him they receive the Holy Spirit and are "born again" through His Spirit (born from His Seed - of course meant spiritually/the INNER MAN), and thus become part of the chosen generation (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob....through David..."son of David"-Jesus Christ)(Rom. 10:12-15). 
Nobody deserves any grace from God!, but through the GRACE of Jesus Christ ANYBODY who believes in Him are accepted as God's children (and thus become part of that chosen generation) - they become part of His people and are set apart for the Lord - like "children of Jesus Christ" - born of His Seed through His Holy Spirit -   .... Not by works (for by works nobody will be able to deserve it), but by FAITH! (Gal 3:10,13; Dan. 9:11)(Rom. 11:6; Gal. 2:16). 
So, because they are under His grace, they:
- (1) share in the promises made to God's people, but therefore also 
- (2) have responsibilities (are a "holy" people/are "set apart" for Him)(Col. 2:6).

They are not "under the law", but "under grace" (Rom. 6:14,15)..., but we must understand what exactly is meant by these words.  According to Gal 5,  to be "NOT under the law" means that someone "are led by the Spirit of God" (not led by the law)(Gal 5:18 - "But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law")(https://warechristene.blogspot.com/2017/05/wie-is-nie-onder-die-wet-nie.html). But to be led by the Spirit does not mean you can do whatever you want (as some believe)!(see study "grace did much more abound"), but what Gal 5 teaches us is that those led by the Spirit of God are free from dead works, en free from sin - why? - BECAUSE they do what the Spirit tells them! (works not according to flesh or according to the law of Moses)(Rom. 8:2; 2 Ti 1:7; Gal 5:18). When someone is UNDER the GRACE of Christ, sin has no dominion over him (Rom. 6:14,15) because he is a new person and he does what the Spirit tells him - he's born of God, and don't do and think like the old person anymore. This can be better understood through a study on the "spirit" of man; thus referring to breath or spirit needed in order to be a living being...  Literally this refers to breath, and without "breath" (spirit / light)(for example in this case regarding the outer man) we die;  thus, when we "give up the ghost" we die... (Job 11:20; Mark 15:39 etc.). But in the same way the outer man cannot live without breath (literally), the inner man cannot live without breath (spiritually).  For example, regarding the inner man the natural man has the "spirit of the world", and the spiritual man has the "Spirit which is of God" (the Spirit of God)(the Holy Spirit, whom keeps him alive)(2 Cor. 2:12). For that reason the spiritual man do and think differently from the natural man - and do not listen to the world, but listens to the Holy Spirit! (are not obedient to the flesh but to the Spirit of God)(and regarding to old/new testament, for example law of Moses vs. laws written in heart, not obedient to the law of Moses but to the Spirit of God)(Rom. 6:14,15). In the same way is works like breath for faith - the outer man cannot live without breath - in the same way faith cannot live without works... (James 2:17,18 etc.)(Jas 2:26 - "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also). If someone is "under grace", that means he is opbedient to the Spirit of God;  therefore suppose to do the Lord's will, and if he doesn't, his faith will die (like the body die without spirit).
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To get access INTO the GRACE of God:
(1) you must believe in Jesus Christ! (by FAITH)(Rom. 5:2);
(2) you must be called by the Father into this grace of Christ (Gal. 1:6); and
(3) you must believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the truth that came through Him (Gal. 1:6).

To be UNDER the GRACE of Christ means that:
(1)  sin has no dominion over you anymore (Rom. 6:14,15), because someone "under grace" became a new person and are not obedient to the law but to Jesus Christ, and thus obedient to His Spirit (whom he received);
(2) you believe in Christ and His gospel (truth), and hold fast (Gal. 1:6-9; Jud 1:4).
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