Can we embrace Grace

Ephesians 2:8-9

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

By grace is charis in Greek which means:

of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues - Blue Letter Bible

I have had a pull on my person to be part of the Great Commission since I was very young.

The Great Commission is what mainstream Christians call the final command that Jesus gave His disciples before ascending back to His Father after His death, resurrection, and time on earth, appearing before many. The disciples would have understood that their Rabbi would leave them with a command before leaving. This was a common practice amongst Jews and a reflection of YHWH. God is always about giving humans purpose; in fact, the first time He speaks with humans, He brings blessings and purpose (Genesis 1:28). Our Father understands more than accolades or back swats - we need purpose to thrive. YHWH gives us what we need, not what we want.

Matthew closes his incredible gospel with these words of Jesus, appropriately emphasizing the magnitude of this moment. Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

We could write for days on this command. (Of note: one fascinating thing He says is that He will be with them always). In these ancient days, when a Rabbi died, their disciples were considered orphans. Jesus, however, conquered death and lives!

Ok back to my story:

At a young age, I innately understood that my childhood church was not a place to bring outsiders, as, quite frankly, they were not kind to outsiders. (Yet somehow, I remained until I was 30). We were told not to associate with outsiders as it was dangerous.

At the age of 30, I started reading through the Gospel of Matthew, and I found the grace gospel. Do you mean I don't need to "look like a Christian" and "please people" who wrongfully call themselves the only believers? Is it true that once I am saved I can rest in grace and celebrate? The questions and rehashing of my soul would take years, but I think you get my point.

I had believed fully that I was barely making it into Heaven, as others in my church were more important. They were more obedient. Our family lived a lifestyle that was not quite in step with the rules. We had a television, we would watch movies, and it was understood by the entire system that we were "less than."

Brainwashing is hard to understand - unless you have lived it to this extent. There is a pull between learning what is right (biblically) and fearing that "they might be right" until you rewire through much of the Word and understand Grace. It is a total breakthrough to truly accept that no "secret" is handed to one denomination. God's Word is clear. 

Abraham was saved by faith alone (Genesis 15:6). He did not add a slight act to his salvation, nor can we. Can you die unforgiven? Not if you are in Christ. Jesus's death was a one-time sacrifice for our sins, past, present, and future. Apostle Paul clearly states that adding to the simple Gospel is an imitation of the Gospel. We get to rejoice in the knowledge that Jesus paid it all. I firmly believe that humans need to understand grace to rejoice truly.

In my childhood high-control community and in many other congregations, they can claim a doctrine of grace, but they can be far from a simple gospel. When we test a church's doctrine, we must sit back and ask ourselves (and the Holy Spirit) where the glory goes in this community. If the glory is going to people (my truth, manifesting, prosperity, works, cult lifestyles, unending rules), you can tell. God should get the glory - always.

Recently, I was teaching on grace (through Romans), and there was a palpable opposition to its totality in us all. But, but, but. Still, if one is a Christian they would find the ways of Jesus important? "Surely, but let's, for just a little while, sit in grace." Can we as a body sit in grace for a season? Can we embrace grace?

America's individualism makes embracing grace difficult. We have goals, we want to be the best at things, and we tend to see the Word as somehow a personal challenge. Jesus' way becomes a goal in a self-gratifying way, and it feels good.

Here is the deal. When we are born again we go from dead spiritually to alive (Ephesians 2). We can't be more dead than dead and we can't be more alive than alive. Our choices may have consequences and blessing, but since we are saved we can REJOICE.

I am not talking about Sunday worship (Worship is foundationally rooted in sacrifice (Genesis 22)). I am talking about a life of Joy because Grace saves us.

Let's check out Colossians 1—we can't miss this portion, in which Paul writes about their worldwide reputation of love for all mankind. How did the Colossae church get there?

Reading Colossians 1 is electric. The portion we will review is verses 3-6.

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people—the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.

Look what we find: that their ministry multiplied WHEN they TRULY UNDERSTOOD grace. 

I believe a life of Joy in all circumstances is founded on an understanding of Grace.

Can we embrace grace?

We were purchased by grace and are kept by grace as God's son's and daughters (Ephesians 2:8-9). If there is anything we contribute to our salvation, that would mean in Heaven people would also be worshiped. God does not share glory.

Can you imagine us asking people what did you contribute to your salvation? Church attendance? Mission work? Generous living? Avoiding wearing make-up? Never being drunk?

No - No - No-1000 x No! Nobody understands how off track focusing on people's work can get than a person who has left cultish practices. We are saved by grace or we are not saved!

Minimally, this means:

1. We can quit worrying about our salvation - It is secure!

2. We can start enjoying the Word. (it is not a duty - but a pleasure - Americans don't want to be told what to do - and the enemy uses that to keep us from the Bible).

3. We can be joyful people and unleash grace on others, understanding we were once dead too.

Galatians 5:1 - Apostle Paul says to stand firm in the grace gospel. 

Why? Because he understood (and literally watched) how fast humans want to make salvation about people instead of Jesus.

Legalism is people-focused. According to Paul, an imitation gospel adds to the good news (Galatians 1).

Prosperity gospel - is people focused. If you had enough faith, if you gave more generously - (notice YOU).

Both extremes remove grace. Today's grace challenge is remembering how dead we were before we were born from above and rescued by Jesus. 2 Peter 1 reveals Peter's Ladder, which gives us an ebb and flow believers go through once saved to become more like Christ. These are not levels, making people an A team and a B team. But, Apostle Paul warns us that we can be short-sighted or blind, "having forgotten our purification from former sins." (emphasis mine)

I can literally run miles (physically) with the excitement that I was no more dead than the next person. Dead is dead. Nobody needed a "little saving" and nobody needed more saving. Have you ever heard someone say or felt yourself that your testimony is boring or average? It isn't! All believers went from death to life! This is huge!

We can rejoice together in this Grace message!

Can you imagine living a life of rejoicing!!! LETS GO!!!