God's Many-Sided Grace
"Grace" - If there's a word that's become divisive in Christianity today, this is it.
Why would a beautiful concept like the grace of God be such a source of contention among believers? Why is there so much disagreement about what God's grace is and what it does for us? I believe the answer is found in 1 Peter 4:10 - "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
Pay attention to Peter's description of grace; he says it is "manifold" - or "many-sided". God's grace doesn't do just one thing, it has many different sides to it. But when you listen to a lot of ministers, you sometimes only hear one of these sides being taught. This is because many preachers have a deep understanding of one of the roles of grace...but also an ignorance of any other sides.
Sadly, this kind of partial knowledge among spiritual leadership causes them to focus only on the one side of grace that they know. This partial message of grace has led to confusion, and even conflict among believers.
- "Grace forgives us, so it doesn't matter what we do."
- "No, grace convicts us of sin...so you better follow the rules - or else!"
If we as believers are going to live in God's grace, then we had better gain an understanding of how it works. This means we need to know about the manifold grace of God, and how each of its sides are both distinct...but still work together. Think of it this way: God's grace is like a diamond; it posses many unique sides and beautiful facets that can be separately identified. But all these still come together into a precious and priceless gem.
Here are three sides of God's grace that can be identified in Scripture:
(Keep in mind that these are three broad categories. Each of these three sides also has individual facets that are tailored to any unique situation we face!)
Why would a beautiful concept like the grace of God be such a source of contention among believers? Why is there so much disagreement about what God's grace is and what it does for us? I believe the answer is found in 1 Peter 4:10 - "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
Pay attention to Peter's description of grace; he says it is "manifold" - or "many-sided". God's grace doesn't do just one thing, it has many different sides to it. But when you listen to a lot of ministers, you sometimes only hear one of these sides being taught. This is because many preachers have a deep understanding of one of the roles of grace...but also an ignorance of any other sides.
Sadly, this kind of partial knowledge among spiritual leadership causes them to focus only on the one side of grace that they know. This partial message of grace has led to confusion, and even conflict among believers.
- "Grace forgives us, so it doesn't matter what we do."
- "No, grace convicts us of sin...so you better follow the rules - or else!"
If we as believers are going to live in God's grace, then we had better gain an understanding of how it works. This means we need to know about the manifold grace of God, and how each of its sides are both distinct...but still work together. Think of it this way: God's grace is like a diamond; it posses many unique sides and beautiful facets that can be separately identified. But all these still come together into a precious and priceless gem.
Here are three sides of God's grace that can be identified in Scripture:
(Keep in mind that these are three broad categories. Each of these three sides also has individual facets that are tailored to any unique situation we face!)
Grace To Forgive
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace..." - Ephesians 1:7
Yes - a lot of modern churches have taken this too far, claiming "it doesn't matter what I do anymore." But the truth still remains: God's grace wipes away ALL of our sin! This is why Hebrews 4:16 tells us to "come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy...."
You can't separate God's mercy from His grace. Mercy is actually one of the many functions of grace. We receive mercy out of God's grace. Mercy, if we'll receive it, is when God freely and permanently washes away every trace of sin from our record. Praise God, He forgives us because of His grace!
Some of the many facets to forgiveness by grace:
Grace wiped out any record of our life before salvation
Grace continues to forgive us after salvation
Grace washes away all unrighteousness
Grace even covers sin that we aren't aware of
Some of the many facets to forgiveness by grace:
Grace wiped out any record of our life before salvation
Grace continues to forgive us after salvation
Grace washes away all unrighteousness
Grace even covers sin that we aren't aware of
Grace To Teach
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teach us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age..." - Titus 2:11-12
After you're saved, God's grace then begins it's second work: It begins to teach you what's right and what's wrong.
It's funny; this function of grace actually catches some new believers by surprise. Some people were hardened in their sin and were never bothered by it before they were saved. But when they turned to Jesus, suddenly all of the "fun" was ripped away from that sin. Now they're beginning to see sin as it really is - a bringer of death.
Don't get this side of grace confused with condemnation though. God's grace will never condemn you as a sinner. John 16:8-11 clearly tells us that God doesn't convict His people of their sin, but convicts them of their righteousness. In other words, grace teaches us that we are righteous people, and then says, "now, this is how righteous people act."
Some of the many facets to instruction by grace:
Grace will tell you how you should behave in any given situation
Grace will confirm the righteousness that God gave you when you were saved
Grace will lead you into repentance for sin, giving you a hope of forgiveness
Grace will reveal truth to you from Scripture
Don't get this side of grace confused with condemnation though. God's grace will never condemn you as a sinner. John 16:8-11 clearly tells us that God doesn't convict His people of their sin, but convicts them of their righteousness. In other words, grace teaches us that we are righteous people, and then says, "now, this is how righteous people act."
Some of the many facets to instruction by grace:
Grace will tell you how you should behave in any given situation
Grace will confirm the righteousness that God gave you when you were saved
Grace will lead you into repentance for sin, giving you a hope of forgiveness
Grace will reveal truth to you from Scripture
Grace To Empower
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear." - Hebrews 12:28
Think about the following stories:
The command to Moses to move forward, through the Red Sea.
The command to the Israelites to conquer the land of Canaan.
The command to Peter to walk out on the water.
The command to Jesus' disciples to feed the multitude.
The command to the paralyzed man to rise and walk.
What did all these stories have in common? Two things:
1 - God commanded someone to do the impossible.
2 - He backed up that person's obedience with power to do the impossible.
God has never given a command that He didn't also empower His people to obey.
Now think of the woman caught in adultery in John 8. What did Jesus' command her to do?
Didn't He tell her to "go and sin no more"? (John 8:11) This command was backed up by the same power as all the others! The power to stop sinning came right beside the command to "stop sinning"! That power to obey is called grace!
When you put your faith in God's command; that faith connects you to grace, and that grace brings you the power to obey! In fact, let me be very clear: You cannot obey God without the power of grace. Your own feeble attempts at obedience are going to be as effective as Peter trying to walk on water on his own. But when you have faith in the command, you will be empowered to obey it...effortlessly!
Some of the many facets of empowerment by grace:
Grace will give you the power to stop sinning
Grace will break every chain of addiction and bondage
Grace will give you the power to fulfill God's calling on our life
Grace will even empower you to walk in the supernatural, just like Jesus
With so many benefits from grace, and with so much power inside of grace, and with all the different sides to grace - is it any wonder that the devil wants to keep God's people ignorant about it? The truth is, grace (with all of its different sides) is designed to raise you up to where God always intended you to be!
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