The Discipline of Grace

1. Grace Disciplines Us: Salvation and Transformation

Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.

Grace as a Disciplinarian. Grace, often seen as merely a means of salvation, also actively disciplines believers, guiding them away from ungodliness and towards self-control, righteousness, and godliness. This transformative grace is not a passive acceptance but an active force shaping our lives. It's the same grace that saves us that also teaches us how to live.

Inseparable Salvation and Discipline. Salvation and spiritual discipline are intrinsically linked; God's saving grace inevitably leads to a life of training and growth. This means that genuine faith is always accompanied by a desire to live a life that pleases God, marked by both the renunciation of sin and the pursuit of virtue. The absence of such discipline raises questions about the authenticity of one's faith.

Two-Fold Training. Grace's discipline involves both negative and positive aspects: saying "no" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and saying "yes" to self-control, uprightness, and godliness. This dual approach reflects the need to actively resist sin while simultaneously cultivating Christ-like character. It's not enough to simply avoid bad behavior; we must also actively pursue good behavior.

2. The Seriousness of Sin: Rebellion, Despising, Defiance

God’s grace is GREATER THAN ALL OUR SINS.

Refined Sins. Often, Christians focus on avoiding the more obvious sins while neglecting the "refined" sins, such as judgmental attitudes, gossip, resentment, and materialism. These subtle sins can be just as damaging to our spiritual growth and relationships with others. It's important to recognize and address these less obvious sins.

Synonyms for Sin. The Bible uses strong language to describe sin, including "rebellion," "despising," and "defying" God. These terms highlight the seriousness of sin as a direct affront to God's authority and holiness. Even seemingly small sins are a form of rebellion against God's sovereign rule.

Positive Character Traits. It's not enough to simply avoid sin; we must also actively cultivate positive character traits such as love, humility, patience, and kindness. These virtues are essential for reflecting Christ's likeness and fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. The absence of these traits is also a form of sin.

3. The Gospel for Daily Life: Justification and Grace

We are not only saved by grace, but we also live by grace every day.

Gospel's Core. The gospel, as articulated in Romans 3:19-26, reveals that no one can be declared righteous before God by observing the law. Instead, righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ, who atoned for our sins and satisfied God's justice. This righteousness is available to all who believe, regardless of their background or past.

Living by Grace. The gospel is not just for unbelievers; it's also for believers, providing the foundation for daily living. We must continually remind ourselves of God's grace and forgiveness, recognizing that our relationship with Him is based on His unmerited favor, not our performance. This means that even on our worst days, we are still loved and accepted by God.

Preaching to Yourself. To avoid falling into legalism or despair, we must "preach the gospel to ourselves every day," reminding ourselves of God's grace and forgiveness. This practice helps us maintain a proper perspective on our sinfulness and our need for Christ's righteousness. It also fuels our desire to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

4. Dying to Sin, Alive in Christ: Freedom's Reality

We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

Union with Christ. Through our union with Christ, we have died to sin and been made alive to God. This means that sin no longer has dominion over us, and we are now empowered to live lives that are pleasing to Him. This is not to say that we will never sin again, but that sin no longer reigns in our lives.

Representative Union. Christ acted as our representative, both in His sinless life and His atoning death. This means that His perfect obedience and sacrifice are credited to us, making us righteous in God's sight. Because of this representative union, we can confidently stand before God, knowing that we are accepted in Christ.

Alive to God. Being alive to God means that we are now connected to Him in a vital and spiritual way, participating in His divine nature. This union with Christ empowers us to resist temptation and live according to His will. It also gives us a new perspective on life, as we now see everything through the lens of God's love and purpose.

5. Love God Through Obedience: A Heartfelt Response

The point of this good-day-bad-day comparison is this: Regardless of our performance, we are always dependent on God’s grace, His undeserved favor to those who deserve His wrath.

The Great Commandment. The greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. This love is not merely an emotion but a commitment to obey His commands and live according to His will. Obedience is the primary way we express our love for God.

Cruise-Control vs. Race-Car Obedience. Many Christians settle for "cruise-control" obedience, conforming to the standards of those around them. However, God calls us to "race-car" obedience, striving to obey Him with all our heart, soul, and mind. This requires a constant effort to grow in holiness and to please Him in every area of our lives.

Motivated by Love. Obedience must be motivated by love for God, not by fear of punishment or desire for reward. This love arises from a deep understanding of God's grace and mercy, as revealed in the gospel. It is this love that compels us to live lives that are pleasing to Him.

6. Dependent Discipline: Balancing Effort and Grace

Discipline without desire is drudgery.

Two Wings. The Christian life requires both discipline and dependence, like an airplane needing two wings to fly. We must actively pursue holiness through various spiritual disciplines, but we must also rely on the Holy Spirit to empower us and guide us. Neglecting either aspect will hinder our spiritual growth.

Nehemiah's Example. Nehemiah's response to the threat against Jerusalem illustrates the balance between dependence and responsibility. He and his people prayed to God for protection, but they also posted a guard to defend the city. They recognized their need for God's help, but they also took practical steps to protect themselves.

The Discipline of Prayer. Prayer is a tangible expression of our dependence on God. Through prayer, we acknowledge our helplessness and seek His guidance and strength. Both planned, protracted prayer and unplanned, spontaneous prayer are essential for cultivating a spirit of dependence.

7. Convictions: Transforming the Mind Through Scripture

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Influence Continuum. We are constantly being influenced by either the world or the Word of God. To grow in holiness, we must actively seek to come under the influence of Scripture, allowing it to shape our thoughts, values, and actions. This requires a deliberate effort to resist the pressures of sinful society.

Renewing the Mind. Transformation comes through the renewing of our minds with the truth of God's Word. This involves more than just acquiring knowledge; it requires a deep understanding and application of Scripture to our daily lives. It is through this process that we develop Bible-based convictions that guide our choices.

Store It Up. To effectively meditate on Scripture, we must first store it up in our minds and hearts. This can be done through Scripture memorization, which allows us to access God's truth whenever we need it. It also requires a commitment to continually reflect on Scripture and its application to our lives.

8. Choices: Mortification and Vivification in Daily Life

Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.

One Choice at a Time. The pursuit of holiness involves a constant series of choices to obey God's Word in every situation. These choices shape our character and determine the direction of our lives. Every decision, no matter how small, has the potential to move us closer to or further away from God.

Mortification. Mortification is the process of putting to death the sinful deeds of the body. This involves identifying our sinful desires and actively resisting them, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit. It's a constant battle against the flesh, requiring vigilance and determination.

Vivification. In addition to mortifying sin, we must also actively cultivate Christ-like character traits. This involves putting on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. It's a process of replacing sinful habits with godly ones, transforming our inner being and outward behavior.

9. Watchfulness: Guarding Against Temptation

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.

Know Your Enemy. Temptation comes from three sources: the world, the flesh, and the Devil. We must be aware of these sources and their tactics in order to effectively guard against them. This requires a deep understanding of our own weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

It Is Us. Our greatest source of temptation dwells within us, in the form of indwelling sin. This principle of sin constantly seeks to draw us into disobedience, making it essential to be vigilant and self-aware. We must recognize our own capacity for sin and not become complacent in our pursuit of holiness.

Think Safety. We need to develop a mindset of spiritual safety, constantly evaluating our choices and actions in light of God's Word. This involves avoiding situations that could lead to temptation and seeking to live in a way that is pleasing to Him. It also means being willing to flee from temptation when necessary.

10. Adversity: God's Refining Fire

All hardship is discipline.

Hardship as Discipline. Adversity, though painful, serves as a form of discipline in our lives, shaping our character and drawing us closer to God. It's through hardship that we learn to rely on Him and develop the virtues of perseverance, patience, and humility. We should view hardship as an opportunity for spiritual growth.

Submission to Discipline. Submission to God's discipline is essential for reaping its benefits. This involves accepting His will, trusting in His wisdom, and seeking to learn from our trials. It's through submission that we experience His grace and grow in holiness.

Live by Grace. Even in the midst of adversity, we must continue to live by grace, trusting in God's love and forgiveness. This means that we do not allow hardship to define us or to cause us to lose hope. Rather, we use it as an opportunity to draw closer to Him and to experience His transforming power.

11. The Goal of Holiness: Glorifying God

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Holiness Defined. The ultimate goal of holiness is to glorify God in all that we do. This means that our lives should be a reflection of His character, marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It also means that we should seek to live in a way that is pleasing to Him, obeying His commands and seeking His will in every area of our lives.

The Cross as the Focus. The cross of Christ should be the center of our lives, reminding us of His sacrifice and His love for us. It is through the cross that we are forgiven, redeemed, and empowered to live holy lives. We should never boast in our own accomplishments but only in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A Life of Worship. The pursuit of holiness is an act of worship, a way of expressing our gratitude and devotion to God. It is through our transformed lives that we demonstrate the reality of His grace and the power of His Spirit. Our goal should be to live lives that are pleasing to Him, reflecting His glory to the world.

Last updated: February 22, 2025