For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."_ — _John 1:17 KJV_
_WHAT GRACE IS NOT — GRACE IS NOT PASSIVE (c)
Think of two employees. The first works under fear. His boss is harsh, his job is insecure, he is constantly threatened with a sack letter. He comes early and works late, but his work is out of anxiety, not love. He is exhausted, bitter, and inefficient.
The second works under favour. His boss loves him, has adopted him as a son, his job is secure, his promotion is guaranteed. Does he now become lazy? No! He comes early because he loves the company. He stays late because he believes in the vision. He goes the extra mile because he is not working for a salary, he is working for a Father who already gave him everything.
The first man is a picture of a man under Law. The second man is a picture of a man under Grace.
One of the greatest misconceptions about grace is that it makes a man passive, careless, and idle. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Under Law, man works _FOR_ acceptance — striving, sweating, trying to earn what he can never earn. Under Grace, man works _FROM_ acceptance — serving, giving, and labouring because he is already accepted, already loved, already approved in Christ.
Law says, "Work so that God will love you." Grace says, "God already loves you, therefore work."
*Grace does not cancel diligence; grace empowers diligence. It does not excuse laziness; it cures laziness*.
Paul puts it perfectly:
> _"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."_ — _1 Corinthians 15:10_
Did you see that? Grace did not make Paul lazy. Grace made him labour _more abundantly_ than those who were still trying to be justified by law.
Grace is not a license to sit down; it is the power to stand up and serve. A man who truly understands grace cannot be lazy. The love of Christ constrains him.
Answer this question in your heart: Am I using grace as an excuse for mediocrity, or as fuel for greater works?
Father, thank You for Your grace that has accepted me in Christ. Today, let that same grace empower me to labour more abundantly, not for acceptance, but from acceptance. In Jesus' name, Amen.