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July 27, 2010What Exactly Is Grace?
Too often we think of it a little too cheaply.
Extravagant. Amazing. Cheap.
No, I’m not talking about a great sale at my favorite department store. I’m talking about grace. In Christian circles, we talk about extravagant grace, we sing about amazing grace, we bemoan the problem of “cheap grace.” We “say grace” at dinnertime; we sum up its meaning with acronyms (like “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense”). We even name our daughters Grace. But what—really—is grace?
In my world—and in the simplest of terms—grace is the overwhelming idea that God mercifully forgives and deeply loves me, even in the face of wrongs I’ve done. I remember the first time I really “got” grace; to be frank, it wasn’t until after I’d really screwed up and felt tremendous guilt about something that I started to meaningfully experience grace. I’d talked about it plenty—but I didn’t “get it” until I realized I desperately needed it.
Grace tells us that no matter what we do—even the worst of the worst of the worst—God’s love is bigger and deeper and stronger than our sin. He won’t give up on us, ever. He’ll forgive us and love us and make us new again.
Hence the need for another descriptor: dangerous grace.
Grace is dangerous because, as Dietrich Bonhoeffer challenged us, we Jesus-followers can easily begin to treat it cheaply. “Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance,” writes Bonhoeffer in The Cost of Discipleship. “[W]hat has cost God much cannot be cheap for us.” We shouldn’t embrace God’s grace to the extent that we forget God’s expectations of us: rules for us to live by, kingdom values that challenge us to forego our selfish impulses and live in selfless obedience. Grace is dangerous because it can make us too comfortable—we sit on our laurels and coast through life without a proper “fear” of God. Grace is meant to bring us a sense of peace and security, but not at the cost of our obedience.
How have you personally experienced God’s grace? What does grace mean in your life—in your view of yourself, your spiritual walk, and your relationships with others? How does the tremendous cost of his grace challenge you?
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Comments
I stumbled across this blog on google, and I wanted to thank you for this post. I found it an enlightening reminder of the importance of grace -- grace in my life never seemed all that necessary til I reached my college years. These days (much, much later), I am reminded most often of God's grace in my quiet times. It is amazing to read directly what God has done.
Posted By: Katharine | July 28, 2010 11:52 AM
Soooooooooo true if many could learn this
Posted By: Tina | July 29, 2010 11:40 AM
I think that, in addition to the danger of taking it for granted, one of the most difficult things in life for many people is to offer radical grace to others.
Posted By: Robyn | July 30, 2010 10:47 AM
To live in Gods grace is very beautiful and special. I have received Gods grace by listening to him and learning to be careful how I speak to others, thinking before responding to someone else's anger, something I didn't do before, which would result in much shouting in our home. I do not have to respond instantly but wait for the right time if need be for when my partner has calmed down and will listen. Grace is gentle and kind. I try to bless those around me who are in pain, many non-christians, many people find it difficult to accept gifts, so I find a different approach. We Christians can be similar, we need to learn to accept gifts from people who want to bless us too.
Posted By: sharon | July 30, 2010 1:33 PM
I have experienced the Grace of God in last 40 years or so whenever and whereever I felt that I am the most undeserving of God's Grace.
Posted By: G.Amalraj | July 31, 2010 1:34 AM
I have personally experienced God's grace many times.However the most memorable time was when I was 16. I didn't really study for a major exam,but I prayed that I should pass. I can't help but have doubts if God would see me through,so I asked him for fogiveness and promised him I would work hard for my next exam! When the results were in,I not only aced it I was one of the top students who did well for the exam! I was so amazed by God,as it was only by His grace that I had acheived what I had acheived!
Posted By: Shanthini | July 31, 2010 4:02 AM
I woke up this morning thanking God for grace as Paul talked about in Romans as a free gift, then I opened the Kyria and "What is Grace". I laughed because God gave me another free gift of grace to marvel about today.
Posted By: WysWoods | July 31, 2010 5:16 AM
This post about grace is so true. I have been blessed and I know God has extended His grace to me and I try everyday to be obedient to His word. Yet, I so oftem hear that grace is free and you can do nothing to earm grace, which is true; but taken out of context is the most dangereous concept on earth. You are so right that very oftem we hear about grace, but not in the same breath with obedience and repentance or serving Him, or doing His will. Thus the world continues to turn and sin continues to mutate into something most of us don't recognize anymore.
Posted By: Nettie Pennington | July 31, 2010 6:58 AM
Grace is what reminds me that I am in a relationship with the Lord. When I do things out of duty, discipline, rules, or regulations, I'm forgetting the love relationship with Jesus. I have to be careful not to perform my Christian life. It's a romance, not a performance.
Posted By: LivewithFlair | August 1, 2010 3:59 PM
For me it is indescribable, but I can tell something like this Charis is the greek word in the New Testament for the undeserved favor of God, thats amazing on our lives, for me and my wife and is the reason for the name from my daugther, Charis
Posted By: Hugo R. Gonzalez | August 2, 2010 10:06 AM
I find that people consistently intermingle grace and mercy. This is the best distinction I have found and use: Grace is receiving something GOOD that I don't deserve. Mercy is NOT receiving some BAD that I do deserve. I want to be conscious of receing them both every day!
Posted By: David Grant | August 2, 2010 5:26 PM
Thank you! My brother and I have had so many "discussions" about grace! Yes, we are saved by grace, but what about the rest! This gives me some new perspectives to show to him since I can't seem to verbalize what is in my heart. Thank you Thank you!
Posted By: Laurie Kelly | August 4, 2010 12:03 PM
"Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without repentance"......very true.....
Posted By: Luke | August 9, 2010 9:47 PM
First time to this site and I found this wonderful blog post! God’s grace is amazing and humbling. It has brought me closer to God then ever before. It comes at a time when obedience isn’t something I look upon with curious eyes, but instead I understand why it’s in place. It’s not a set of strict rules of do’s and don’ts, but rather like a parent who wishes to keep His child safe in a rather unsafe world. I just wish I didn’t have to fall down that slippery path of sin to discover the fullness of His grace. I hope in time I don’t forget this humbling or the joy knowing God extended His hand of grace to ME. Perhaps that is what keeps cheap grace at bay? When we finally realize we need His grace and also remembering the awe we felt when he offered it to us! Thanks again for this wonderful blog post.
Posted By: Annette | August 13, 2010 2:17 PM