Living in the Garden of Grace: What Does It Mean to Live Under Grace?
Reflections on David Kuykendall’s Living in the Garden of Grace*
Grace: More Than a Concept
"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace" (Romans 6:14).
When we hear the word “grace,” we often think of salvation—God’s unmerited favor extended to us through Jesus Christ. But grace is far more than a starting point in the Christian life; it’s the foundation for how we live every moment.
In his book Living in the Garden of Grace, David Kuykendall explores the profound reality of what it means to be “under grace.” This isn’t just a theological concept; it’s a transformational way of living—one that frees us from striving and allows Christ to live His life through us.
Under Law vs. Under Grace
To understand what it means to be “under grace,” Kuykendall first explains its contrast: being “under law.” When the Israelites received the law, they committed themselves to obeying it in their own strength. Their response—“What God has said we will do”—reflected an intention to rely on human effort to meet God’s standards.
Being under law, then, is living by self-effort, striving to please God through our own abilities. It’s a life of constant pressure, guilt, and failure because the flesh can never fulfill God’s commands.
In contrast, being “under grace” means freedom from self-reliance. It’s trusting God to do what we could never do on our own. As Kuykendall puts it:
"We trust—God provides."
Walking in the Spirit
Kuykendall draws a powerful connection between living under grace and walking in the Spirit as described in Romans 8. To live under grace is to:
Experience our “in Christ” position: Recognizing that we were crucified, buried, and raised with Christ (Romans 6:4-5).
Put off the old man and put on the new: Living out our identity as a new creation in Christ (Ephesians 4:22-24).
Live the exchanged life: Letting go of self-effort and allowing Christ to live His life through us (Galatians 2:20).
This is what Kuykendall calls “the law of the Spirit,” where God’s grace—His very presence and power—flows freely toward us to meet every need.
Grace in Action
Living under grace isn’t about passivity; it’s about dependence. It’s recognizing that just as we were saved by grace through faith, we also live by grace through faith.
When we trust God to meet our needs, His grace provides.
When we yield to the Spirit, His grace empowers.
When we embrace our identity in Christ, His grace transforms.
This is the exchanged life in action—where old things pass away, all things become new, and the life we live is not our own but Christ’s life expressed through us.
Reflect & Respond
Take a moment to consider:
Are there areas in your life where you are striving to meet God’s standards in your own strength?
How might trusting God’s grace free you to live in the Spirit’s power?
Pray this:
“Lord, thank You for the gift of grace that saves me and sustains me. I confess the times I’ve tried to live the Christian life in my own strength. Thank You for crucifying the old man and raising me to walk in newness of life. Thank You for Your Spirit, who leads and empowers me to live under Your all-sufficient grace. May I walk in full reliance on You today. Amen.”
A Final Thought
To live under grace is to rest in the sufficiency of God’s provision and the reality of Christ’s life within us. It’s walking in the Spirit, experiencing the exchanged life, and letting God’s grace meet every need.
As Kuykendall so beautifully puts it:
"The grace of God is everything God is—moving freely toward you to meet your every need."
Let’s live under that all-sufficient umbrella of grace, trusting Him in every moment.