For some reason we struggle with grace.
Maybe it’s because we can't handle the idea that forgiveness is a gift based not on our good works, but on THE Good work of Jesus. I can see where this would be a problem for those who are opposed to Jesus' claims. It seems unconscionable to say that anyone, and I do mean ANYONE, can go to heaven simply by receiving the free gift of salvation. This could be hard to swallow since many of us have the "at least I'm not as bad as that guy" mentality. We think "Really? Well, what about the really bad people like Hitler or Mussolini? I mean they can't really be going to the same place as....me right?" It does pose an interesting question.
Grace can also be a major problem for those who do follow Jesus. It seems that the majority of Christians genuinely believe that Jesus died for their sins and that because of this we are no longer hell bound or disconnected from a relationship with God. But for some reason this mindset often gets lost in all the mud and murk of works based religion. We think "Okay, I am saved by grace through faith. Now I need to really put on the happy face and good works if I am ever going to make this faith thing work." However good intentioned one may be this mentality breeds a very self-focused agenda where we are constantly evaluating our daily lives making sure that we don't mess up too much, and that we don't do the bad things. I really don't think that this is the vision Paul had of the church when he wrote Ephesians.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God..." Ephesian 2:8 ESV
He reminds the church in Ephesus that they were saved by God's grace (undeserved favor) through faith (trust) in Jesus Christ. He then goes on to say that "it" (salvation) is the gift of God. Simple? Very. Almost too simple for many people to accept. But notice who is in focus here? God.
The reality is that because of the Lord's amazing work on the cross any and all people can be saved. The second any of us, whether believers or not, begin focusing on ourselves or others' work as a basis for salvation is the second that we miss the whole point of the good news. It is not about us at all. It is all about Him. We don't need to take a bath before we come to Jesus. He meets each of us where we are, dirty and utterly dependent on Him.
Some of you may be thinking "Okay I totally understand that. We are saved by grace through faith. But after that we need some good ol' fashion religion to keep us on track. We need to make sure and pray at least three times a day, monitor how much time we spend in Bible reading versus how much time we spend doing other things" but the reality is that this is a completely un-biblical view.
Believe it or not Jesus did not come to give us a list of what not to do. He came to set us free from hopeless attempts to be made right with God (Galatians 5:1), and from the very power of sin, or rebellion against God, itself (Romans 6:5-7). He came to make us new people (2 Corinthians 5:17) who no longer have a nature that gravitates towards sin, but who share in the very nature of God (2 Peter 1:4). We also naturally crave righteousness (Romans 6:18). The commands that Jesus had for believers were simple: "Love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34).
He even came to set us free from self-improvement lists.
Do you remember The Law? It was the KING of self-improvement lists. All that the Jews had to do to find out what not to do was take a look at the Ten Commandments. The Law showed God's perfect standard and just how far short everyone falls of this standard. It shows the sinfulness of mankind so that all can see their total and utter need for Jesus (Galatians 3:19). But it was never God's intention to make us fulfill it on our own. Yes, Jesus even fulfilled the requirements of the Law for us
"...in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." Romans 8:4
Notice the words "fully met." Pretty amazing huh? This isn't a partial deal.
So why do we create check lists? Because we are afraid of grace. We are afraid to admit that the good news of Jesus Christ crucified, dead, buried, and resurrected is actually.....GOOD! The work of Christ is enough for our salvation. It is even enough for our holy living.
When we believe in Christ we become new creations. We become slaves to righteousness who walk according to, and are led by, the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4, 8:14). Jesus who is our very life (Colossians 3:4) empowers us to live Godly lives. We don't need lists. We have the Holy Spirit living in us offering to be our guide and our helper (John 15:26). Who needs lists when we have Jesus? The same grace that saves us, leads us.
God took a chance with grace. He made it so that salvation was all because of Jesus' amazing work. This of course means that it can be abused when we willfully live a life of sin. But abuse of grace does not change the power of Christ's redeeming work in our lives. God's New Covenant (Agreement) with mankind is that all who come to Him through Jesus are totally and completely forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). The believers sins have been totally forgotten (Hebrews 10:17) and will stay that way. God never leaves and even becomes our intimate Daddy (Hebrew 13:5, Romans 8:15). He even lets us share in His nature. Pretty cool isn’t it?
God's plan for us is grace from start to finish. It is not "cheap" as some would say; it cost Jesus everything. But it is free for us, and it is the true grace talked about in the Holy Scriptures. If you are searching for meaning know this: You are loved and Jesus is the way to the meaning. If you have found Jesus then don’t forget the grace that has saved you. Fix your thoughts on Jesus, and let Him lead you by His love and power. Let’s show the world why we celebrate the good news.
