Grace is the defining characteristic of the New Testament. Thankfully for us, it was made available through the finished works of Jesus Christ. Living right hinges on our understanding this. The cross marks the dividing line between the old covenant of law and the new covenant of grace; believing this frees us from our past so that we can live a victorious Christian life.

A testament only goes into effect after the death of the testator (Hebrews 9:15–17). Jesus had to die in order to activate the New Testament, which includes our inheritance of righteousness, redemption, and holiness. Before the cross, mankind lived under the law; after the cross, everything changed. Grace became the new standard by which we relate to God.

Under the law, constant sacrifices and rule-keeping were required to maintain right standing with God. Under grace, Jesus became our once-and-for-all sacrifice and mediator. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). He bridged the gap between God and humanity, offering us peace and reconciliation through His blood.

Grace isn’t a license to sin but the power to live above it. It enables us to walk in God’s promises without fear of condemnation. All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23); however, grace makes up the difference. We’re no longer defined by our failures, but by Christ’s victory.

God’s Word is the foundation of grace. “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). Grace builds us up and gives us access to everything God has promised. Resting in what He said grows and matures us in understanding and strength.

Jesus is the mediator of a better covenant, established on better promises (Hebrews 8:6). The old covenant was based on human effort, but the new covenant is based on His love, mercy, and forgiveness. It isn’t about what we do, but about what Jesus has already done. It shifts the focus from our performance to His perfection.

Living under grace means renewing our minds and rejecting religious thinking that keeps us bound by the law. The cross changed the way we approach God; therefore, we can now enjoy a refreshing and a renewal that wasn’t available before. We’re urged to correctly divide the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15) and recognize the difference between the old and the new. Misunderstanding God on this point leads to fear, guilt, and spiritual immaturity.

Additionally, grace also brings freedom from shame, striving, and the burden of trying to earn God’s love. It teaches us to rest in what Jesus has already accomplished. It rescues us from trying to qualify ourselves and lets us receive what has already been freely given.

Grace isn’t just a doctrine, but a lifestyle. We no longer have to toil endlessly to keep strict laws and commandments to please God; He’s already pleased with us. We can now depend on Jesus daily and rest in what He did. We can stop working for approval and start living from acceptance.

God’s unearned, undeserved favor is life-changing. It’s the power to live righteously, the peace that reconciles us to Him, and the promise of never-ending joy from Him. The cross is where grace began, and where our new life in Christ was born. We can embrace it fully, walk in its power, and live as heirs of the promises Jesus’ blood secured.