Grace - more than ample, yet calling for a response

The immeasurable blessing of God’s grace is one of the most misunderstood gifts He has extended to mankind. Beliefs and corresponding lifestyles indicate that most people tend to fall into one of two extreme polar positions, with the actual truth being played out in the middle.

Interestingly confusing is the observation that both camps would likely accept the truth found in each other’s viewpoint, yet in practice would live two different ways.

In the first camp are those who grab hold of Romans 1:17 where it says “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” Those in this camp would say that God’s gift of righteousness and salvation is imparted by grace through faith and there is nothing mankind can do to earn a right standing with God. They are right! There is nothing man can do to save himself, other than call out to God in humble desperation to receive His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:8-9 reinforces this truth when Paul says: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Paul clearly states that there is nothing a man can do to earn his acceptance and salvation by Holy God. God’s righteous requirements demand 100 percent perfection and purity, without the slightest flaw in thought, word, motivation or action. And that requirement has never been met by any man, except Christ Jesus.

Grace is the unmerited favor of God whereby He extends supernatural power and opportunity for change and salvation to men in desperate need of God’s intervention.

Luke writes in Acts 15:11 “We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved…” Paul echoes that view in Romans 3:23-24 where he states: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Years later Paul writes in Galatians 2:21: “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"

And yet with all this evidence, men through the years have tried to add requirements for salvation, or at least to measure a man’s “godliness.” Certainly we are to grow in Christ through the Holy Spirit’s process of sanctification and continual putting our flesh to death. However, any effort to add to the gift of righteousness through the grace given by God is an insult to God’s sacrifice of His son.

In Matthew 16:11-12, Jesus warned against legalistic tendencies. Legalism is adding to the requirements of God anything that God does not specifically impose upon man. This addition of requirements is contrary to the grace given by God, which is ample for both salvation and sanctification. This is erroneous. Legalism can be any attitude, motivation, word or action that is required over and above God’s grace, either for salvation of daily living.

This second camp on grace mentioned earlier, would be those who believe we begin our Christian lives through saving grace, but somehow walk our Christianity out in our own strength, and by some increased man-developed methodology. From the scriptures above, this is obviously wrong.

However scripture clearly teaches that the amazing gift of God’s grace given to us in salvation and continually in our daily experience SHOULD illicit the lifestyle of a disciple recorded in scripture. Additionally, this grace is not some sloppy, gooey, ungodly love that covers a continual lifestyle of sin. God’s grace works hand-in-hand with man’s repentance, and the fruit of repentance.

Romans 6:1-2 says “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” Our lifestyle should and must change, due to the power of God’s grace alive in us. Acts 11:23 notes: “When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.” There is obvious evidence seen in the lives of those who received His grace and they are encouraged to remain true to that new life (implying that it is possible to remain untrue to living that life of power through His grace).

And finally, God’s grace is effectively His power displayed in and through our lives to affect our world for His glory. Acts 14:3 says: “So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.” 1 Corinthians 15:10 concludes: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them — yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”