Jesus paid a terrible price to set you free from the crippling wounds of condemnation, guilt, and shame. Don't go back into Satan's pit.
Romans 8:1–2 says:
"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death."
Hebrews 4:16 in the New King James Version says:
"Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
I love Hebrews 4:16. If you need something—like permission from your dad to interrupt him—you can run into the throne room. No matter what he's doing, he always has time for his kids. You're confident of his love for you as you enter. He's sitting on a throne of grace, not judgment.
Grace means two things in Scripture. First, it means unmerited favor. God favors you. You didn't earn it, and you don't deserve it, but you're a favorite of God. You're a son. You're a daughter. He loves you.
The second meaning of grace is the strength and power of God that enable us to do what He tells us to do.
The source of your inner strength is God's grace. So grace is not just favor—it is the power to live the life that God calls us to live.
Hebrews 13:9 in the NIV says:
"It’s good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace."
And Romans 5:2 in the NIRV says:
"Through faith in Jesus, we have received God’s grace. In that grace, we stand. We’re full of joy because we expect to share in God’s glory."
We have the privilege of approaching God's throne. It's a throne of grace for us who believe and obey. We approach God with confidence, without fear, knowing we will receive mercy for our failures and help in time of need.
That's grace.