T2 Grace?

What is grace?

I remember a time I did not understand the word "grace." I considered it something that people said before eating their meals. Our church had "a journey into grace" written outside on the street sign, and I pondered that for awhile before deciding it was something I needed to study.

Although the short prayer before meals is indeed often called 'grace,' it also is a term for a deep, wonderful spiritual concept. One, I might add, that is often completely misunderstood.

Are you always on your best behavior? Do you ever feel like you cannot measure up? Do you feel like you can never do enough, no matter how hard you try? Do you feel failure or shame – afraid that God is angry with you?

Well, if that sounds familiar, please continue reading. I have some good news for you.

The definition of grace is "a gift that is not merited." Not merited means undeserved. It is what God gives us freely ... that we don't deserve.

It sounds simple, but since the beginning we have had a tendency to get this wrong.. The apostle Paul marveled at how the Galatians quickly moved away from grace to another gospel.

There are many different views taught in and on Christianity. So, it might be good to ask, what exactly does it mean to become a Christian? To become a Christian must you simply believe there is a God? Must you understand there was a man named Jesus who died on the cross? If you go to church, if your parents were Christians, if you said a prayer, if you raised your hand, or if you asked Jesus into your life... is that enough? Must you do more?

The truth is that becoming a Christian simply means we trust on Christ alone for our salvation. We are sinners and cannot earn and do not deserve forgiveness for those sins. It is not enough to understand the facts. One must put personal trust in Christ.

Often the true gospel is substituted for a faith + works twist. Some rightly teach that you become right with God (salvation) by believing in Christ's work alone. But then they err by teaching believers they can do something to earn or merit blessing from God. We somehow end up believing that God somehow became displeased with us for the sins we committed after we got saved and now it's up to us to make it right with Him.

Some may think this is different than salvation by faith + works. But it's really the same thing.

Understanding grace is about resting in the fact that Jesus did it all, and He makes it possible for us to be completely approved by God. You are not only saved by Him, He is there with you now through eternity. He is a real Person who loves you and cares for you.

Christianity is all about grace! Often there is a complete lack of understanding in this matter. Lack of grace usually will result in fear and intimidation. When we begin to turn from the grace of God, we are drawn towards the idea that our righteousness before God is performance based, which it is not.

In Romans 4, Paul says that our faith is “counted as righteousness.”

Romans 11:6 tells us, "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."

If we feel we 'earned' some reward from God, then we've forgotten the extent of our sinful nature. Think about it -- when you pray or sing praise songs, are you completely able to concentrate fully on God without distraction? It is impossible for us to love God with *all* our heart, mind, and strength. We fall short.

Nothing that we can do is enough to earn anything from the Lord. It is good to set high standards for ourselves, but we have to be careful of one of two things. We either become proudly arrogant when we achieve our goals and find ourselves looking down on others. Or we become discouraged when we are unable to achieve the goals. Either way, we have lost focus in the truth that it is only God who is perfect. He actually looks upon us as if we are perfect -- because He looks at us through Jesus, who IS perfect. It's not about us, it's about Him.

Obedience to God's Word is still of grace. It's only possible by God's grace to be in fellowship with Him, controlled by the Holy Spirit, and producing His fruit. But we need to be wary that we don't start believing that we are more spiritual or a better Christian than others. We also need to be wary of others pushing us out of grace and into performance mode.

I recommend reading Galatians to see how quickly they left grace and put themselves under the Law. And also Romans 14 talks about the weaker brother, who doesn't have an understanding of grace and is judging his stronger brother. The weaker brother thinks he is strong and doing what is right, but he is actually proud, critical, and judgmental. He doesn't understand that he is not walking by the Spirit.

Phi 1:6 says, "being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

In case you missed that, it says that He WILL perform it! That is what the 'rest' in Hebrews chapter 4 is about... understanding that it is God who has saved you and God who will complete His work in you.

In John 15, Jesus commands His disciples to abide or remain in Him. He doesn't command them to bear fruit. It is by abiding in Him, that He bears fruit through us.

We ourselves are not holy. Jesus, who lives in us is. He paid the full, complete price for your sins ... the ones you committed 5 years ago, the ones you committed yesterday, the ones you will commit today, and the ones you will commit tomorrow. Righteousness is given to us, not achieved by us! Allow your focus to go back to the simplicity of your first love. Trust God so much that rather than trying to do anything to earn His love, you simply rest in His love.

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Extending Grace to others

In Romans, Paul tells us all about God's mercy and grace. And then in chapter 12, he tells us that our right response should be to present ourselves as living sacrifices to God. He then explains to us how we can do that.

For I say, through the grace given to me, to every one who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think... (Rom 12:3)

If we really understand how God poured out his grace, kindness and love unto us, while we were still sinners, then we should in turn extend that grace onto others.

Bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not curse. (ROM 12:14)

Experiencing His grace ourselves is the source of the grace that we are able to extend. We need to be willing to extend the grace to others that we ourselves have needed so desperately.

Rejoice with rejoicing ones, and weep with weeping ones; (ROM 12:15)

It shouldn't matter how others are. Grace is unconditional. In other words, it's not earned.

Repay no one evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. (ROM 12:17)

All men. All people. If we are to extend grace to our enemies, even to those who hurt and persecute us, consider how much more grace should we extend to those we love? To our husbands, children, and friends?

If it is possible, as far as is in you, be in peace with all men. (ROM 12: )

This is how we represent our Lord Jesus to the world. We are told that with His power, we are His witness. His letter.

it having been made plain that you are the epistle of Christ, ministered by us, not having been written with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not on tablets of stone, but in fleshly tablets of the heart. (2Co 3:3)

Have you experienced God's grace yourself? How are you doing at extending that same grace towards others? Can others look at you and be able to see Christ's character? Ask Him to help you understand and grow in His grace.

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