True Grace

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound..."

Ah, the grace of God. Such a popular subject in many churches today, especially emergent and seeker-friendly ones. But what is the grace of God? Have we lost its power?

A friend and I were talking the other day about the frustration of Christ-less Christians. Hypocrisy. Not just the kind of hypocrisy we grieve and work through in our own lives, for we all are a work in process if we are to be honest. But this modern culture of quasi-Christianity where millions would label themselves Christians by name, but in reality live no different than the unbeliever next door. They continue to live in the same bondage, baggage, and sin. Ironically, a statement you will hear often in these circles is, "Yeah, I'm not perfect, but thank God for His grace."

Several years ago, John Bevere's ministry conducted a survey of thousands of Christians as to the definition and benefit of grace. An overwhelming 98% responded that it was "unmerited favor" or "forgivness of sins." It was encouraging to hear the understanding that salvation is a gift that cannot be earned and that God lovingly bestows upon us what we could never earn. At the same time, however, it was disheartening to discover that only 2% of those surveyed responded with the most prominent and vital biblical definition of grace: the empowerment to live a godly life.

The writer of Hebews said, "Let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably (12:28)."

Paul said in Romans 6:14 that "... sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law but under grace."

In the book of Acts amid the supernatural outpouring of the Spirit and miraculous revival that was going on among the church, we read that "...with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all."

Though Jesus stripped himself of his divine rights, He still walked by the enabling of the Holy Spirit, in incredible power. How? The writer of Luke tells us in chapter two that "the Child (Jesus) grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him."

Grace, then, is powerful! So often it is only discussed in the context of a sentimental, fluffy, and sugary-sweet sermonette on the love of God. But as we study scripture, grace is not just a mere cover-up for our sins. It is the empowerment to live the life we never could in our own flesh.

I think true grace is perfectly illustrated in the story of Jesus with the woman at the well. When the harsh and judgmental religious leaders want to have her stoned, he exposes their hypocrisy, defends her and shows her mercy. "Who condemns you?" he asks when they all leave. When she replies "nobody," he follows up with those healing words of grace and mercy, "Neither do I condemn you." But notice He doesn't stop there. Neither does he add, "Okay, now that you've said a prayer, go on with life as normal." He doesn't say, "Alright, struggle on in your various sins and sexual addictions, but just thank God for His grace." He doesn't even say "Go and sin less." He flatly commanded, "Now go and sin no more." You see, true grace doesn't just forgive sin from our record; it eradicates the sinful nature from our lives. If we think we have encountered Christ, but continue to live no differently, we have some very real soul-searching to do, for Paul soberly warns us in Corinthians "not to receive the grace of God in vain," but instead to "let us purify ourselves from everything that makes body or soul unclean, and let us be completely holy (2 Corinthians 6:1, 7:1)."

The Gospel is such great news! Christ has come to show us grace not only so that we can be free from guilt, condemnation, and punishment, but free from sin to live the extroardinary, victorious, abundant life of freedom and power that He purchased for us with His blood. And we can access this grace by faith! May we not declare or live anything less.


* Additional resources for study: Galatians, Corinthians, "Extroardinary" (Bevere), & "Relentless" (Bevere)