What's So Amazing About Grace?

1. Grace: The Last Best Word in Christianity

Grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us more—no amount of spiritual calisthenics and renunciations, no amount of knowledge gained from seminaries and divinity schools, no amount of crusading on behalf of righteous causes. And grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us less—no amount of racism or pride or pornography or adultery or even murder.

Grace is the essence of Christianity. It is the unearned, undeserved love and favor of God towards humanity. Unlike other religions that offer ways to earn divine approval, Christianity dares to make God's love unconditional. This concept of grace is unique and revolutionary, setting Christianity apart from all other belief systems.

Grace permeates our language and culture. We use the word in various contexts:

• Saying grace before meals
• Being grateful for kindness
• Greeting royalty as "Your Grace"
• Grace periods in financial transactions
• Grace notes in music

These uses all hint at something freely given, unearned, and transformative. In a world driven by merit and achievement, grace stands as a radical alternative, offering love and acceptance without preconditions.

2. The Scandal of Grace: Undeserved and Unconditional Love

We are accustomed to finding a catch in every promise, but Jesus' stories of extravagant grace include no catch, no loophole disqualifying us from God's love.

Grace challenges our sense of fairness. Jesus' parables often depict scenarios that seem unjust by human standards:

• Workers hired at the last hour receiving the same pay as those who worked all day
• A prodigal son welcomed back with celebration while the faithful older brother feels slighted
• A shepherd leaving 99 sheep to search for one lost lamb

These stories illustrate that God's love is not based on our performance or worthiness. It's freely given to all, regardless of their past or present circumstances. This concept can be difficult for us to accept, as we're accustomed to earning what we receive.

The scandal of grace is its indiscriminate nature. It's offered to the morally upright and the notorious sinner alike. This aspect of grace often offends our sense of justice, but it's at the heart of the Christian message. It means that no one is beyond the reach of God's love, and no one can claim superiority based on their own merits.

3. Breaking the Cycle of Ungrace Through Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the only way to break the chain of unforgiveness and begin to hope again.

Forgiveness is a powerful tool for personal and social healing. It's not just about pardoning an offense, but about breaking the cycle of retaliation and bitterness that perpetuates conflict. Forgiveness can:

• Free the forgiver from the burden of resentment
• Open the possibility for reconciliation
• Prevent the escalation of conflicts

Forgiveness is often misunderstood. It doesn't mean:

• Forgetting the offense
• Excusing the wrongdoing
• Necessarily restoring the relationship to its previous state

Rather, it's a decision to release the offender from the debt they owe you, even if they don't deserve it. This act of grace can be transformative, both for the forgiver and the forgiven.

4. The Power of Grace in Personal and Social Transformation

Grace is shockingly personal. As Henri Nouwen points out, "God rejoices. Not because the problems of the world have been solved, not because all human pain and suffering have come to an end, nor because thousands of people have been converted and are now praising him for his goodness. No, God rejoices because one of his children who was lost has been found."

Grace has the power to transform individuals and societies. On a personal level, experiencing grace can lead to:

• A renewed sense of self-worth
• Freedom from guilt and shame
• Motivation to extend grace to others

On a societal level, grace-filled actions have historically led to significant changes:

• The abolition of slavery
• Civil rights movements
• Reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa

Grace operates differently from worldly power. Instead of coercion or force, it works through love and sacrifice. This approach may seem weak, but history has shown its effectiveness in bringing about lasting change.

5. The Dangers of Legalism and the Freedom of Grace

The church works best as a force of resistance, a counterbalance to the consuming power of the state. The cozier it gets with government, the more watered-down its message becomes.

Legalism is a constant temptation for religious institutions. It offers:

• Clear rules to follow
• A sense of control and certainty
• A way to measure spiritual progress

However, legalism often leads to:

• Pride and self-righteousness
• Judgmentalism towards others
• Missing the heart of God's message of grace

Grace offers freedom from legalism. It shifts the focus from rule-keeping to relationship with God. This freedom allows Christians to:

• Serve out of love rather than obligation
• Extend grace to others, including those different from themselves
• Focus on the "weightier matters" of justice, mercy, and faithfulness

6. Grace in Action: Christians as Dispensers of God's Love

Gordon MacDonald says, "The world can do almost anything as well as or better than the church. You need not be a Christian to build houses, feed the hungry, or heal the sick. There is only one thing the world cannot do. It cannot offer grace."

Christians are called to be dispensers of grace in the world. This involves:

• Showing unconditional love to all, especially the marginalized
• Forgiving those who wrong us
• Serving others without expectation of return

Practical examples of grace in action include:

• Hospice care for the dying
• Prison ministries
• Addiction recovery programs
• Humanitarian aid in disaster zones
• Care for those with stigmatized diseases like leprosy or AIDS

These ministries often reach those whom society has rejected, embodying the grace of God in tangible ways.

7. Balancing Grace and Truth in a Hostile World

What if Christians used that same approach in secular society and succeeded? "In the world the Christians are a colony of the true home," said Bonhoeffer. Perhaps Christians should work harder toward establishing colonies of the kingdom that point to our true home.

Christians face the challenge of balancing grace and truth in a world often hostile to their message. This involves:

• Standing firm on core beliefs while showing love to those who disagree
• Engaging in cultural and political issues without compromising the message of grace
• Being "in the world but not of it"

Effective Christian witness in modern society requires:

• A willingness to serve and love unconditionally
• A commitment to personal integrity and high ethical standards
• The ability to articulate beliefs clearly and respectfully
• A focus on building relationships rather than winning arguments

By embodying grace while holding to truth, Christians can offer a compelling alternative to both rigid moralism and moral relativism, pointing to a different way of living that reflects the character of God.

Last updated: August 13, 2024