One of the most frequent accusations I hear as I teach the truth of grace is that we have to be careful about not taking grace too far. After all, people will go crazy and abuse grace if you aren't careful. Some suggest that there is "grace and truth" and that we need to keep the two in balance, as if there is anything else we could do. You can't divide truth from grace. When we do, truth stops being true and grace becomes disgrace.
It is important to remember that grace involves God expressing His unconditional love and favor toward us; independent of anything we ever do or don’t do. Grace is personified in Jesus. So to say that you can go too far with grace is like saying that you can go too far with Jesus. It simply isn’t possible.
Some people are afraid that if you teach the pure grace of God, people might be encouraged to go out and commit sins. That kind of fear shows a lack of clear understanding about what grace does in a person’s life. It certainly doesn’t encourage sin!
The idea that you can go too far with grace is an irrational fear. When a believer sins, he is acting in a disgraceful way by contradicting the very essence of the grace of God which is in him. Grace empowers us to honor our Father through our actions, not dishonor Him. It is possible to pervert grace so that it stops being grace, but it isn’t possible to go too far with it.
Paul explained it this way in Romans 5:17: “Much more, those who received the abundance of grace, and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the one Jesus Christ. He said that if we’re going to reign in life, there needs to be an abundance of grace, which provides the gift of righteousness. The result will be that we reign in life.
The word “abundance” in that verse suggests an overflow. It doesn’t mean filling something to the top. It means filling it beyond the top, so that it spills over. Paul said that is what has happened to the Christian. We have received an overflow of grace.
Go too far with grace? There’s no way. The fact is that most Christians haven’t gone far enough in their understanding of it. We need an overflow of grace, especially in the modern church. Especially in the lives of Christians today who’ve been ambushed by legalism. As much as we say we don’t want to live under the law, we’re scared to death of the grace of God.
We need to boldly proclaim God’s grace to the church world -- not only to the unredeemed, unsaved world, but to the church world. We need to proclaim the grace of God because the fact is that, even if you could go too far with grace, which you can’t, I’ve not been in a church yet where there was even a remote possibility of going too far with the grace of God.
Go too far with grace? Not a chance. We need an abundance of grace in the legalistic barrenness of the modern church. It’s only when we jump in over our heads, into the river of God’s grace, and we experience that abundance, that we know the victory that is ours in Jesus Christ.
Amen ! Awesome word, Steve. : )
ReplyDeleteI've been one of your quiet critics in the past, but I've recently had a new understanding of grace thanks to our brothers and sisters in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. you cover it above. Grace is so frequently seen in the western church as "Oh, that's okay, we'll overlook your sin." And, to an extent, it is that, but only in part.
ReplyDeleteDivine grace, that grace that can ONLY come from God is more than just permission to live as you will, if you TRULY have such divine grace infusing your life, you have the divine power of the Creator, that Being who knew you and knitted you in your mother's womb, working within your soul and your spirit. It's not just making it OK to be who you are, it is also transforming you into who you were meant to be.
So, as you said Steve, you can't go to far with grace and it is something that counters fear that normally comes from a legalistic "permission" form of grace and frees us to be who we were meant to be by the divine infusion of grace into our lives.
My deepest apologies to you if I've been a harsh critic in the past...
Thanks Steve
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful blog. How about this? If we removed Greek, enlightenment and consumerism out of the church’s thinking, what would it look like? Do you think that we might experience wideness in God’s grace that would have us dance and rejoice for all humanity. Is it possible that in pure grace there are no unredeemed? It is like people do not know they are forgiven until they change their mind and come to live by the faith of Jesus in them. Its inclusive all through one, no separation. jg
Thank you, Robert. I'm not aware of your past criticisms, but appreciate and respect the humility you express now by your apology.
ReplyDeleteAwesome Note. Mind if I post this on my page?
ReplyDeleteI have been accused of going to far with Grace already haha. they gave me the impression that I needed to find a balance with what I am talking about when it comes to His grace. I can tell you this, we really are scared of the grace of God. even though most people say they aren't. Because it gives people the freedom to fail and accept thier weaknesses. How can we as a church see our inabilitys when we are so much entrenced in self-effort? The Law blinds us to seeing His Grace(undeserved favor and blessing) The Law just reveals our shortcomings and sinfulness. It was our totur unto Christ (galatians 3:24-25) but we still take up arms with God basing our walk on our performence. which is having a law mentility. Is says in titus 2:12 It (Geace) teaches us how to deni ungodliness ans so forth. It doesn't say the Law has appeared to teach us to deni. it Says Grace has appeared! haha Amen, thanks steve! I just had to let that one out :) you've been a blessing to me with you ministry.
trocsfc- feel free to use it. I'd appreciate you posting a link showing where you got it.
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