When churches claim they are "grace-based," it makes me wonder, "in comparison to what?" Is it possible for Christian churches to be based on anything other than "grace?" Hmmm....
Many Christians grew up with the traditional definition of grace as "God's unmerited favor." For me, however, this definition doesn't capture the depth, wonder and richness of an awesome concept like God's grace. After all, John Newton described it as "Amazing!" for a reason.So let's think about grace not only by trying to define God's grace from the Bible, but also by sharing stories and examples about God's grace in our lives. Are there better ways to think and talk about God's grace? How have we experienced God's grace? And how have those experiences affected us? And the lives of others around us? Feel free to post Anonymously.
Any takers?
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A great grace text to start with is: Ephesians 2:8-10. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
So, does God apply "grace" mainly to our situation at the time we're being judged for salvation? Or when we show faith in Jesus' promise to save us? When does grace happen?
2 Timothy 1:9 says grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. Not because of anything we have done. Which makes sense if it’s before we could do anything!!! 1 Peter 1:20 adds that grace was revealed “in these last times for your sake.” So maybe grace precedes us, but only becomes apparent to us when we need, want, or accept it.
My view of God's grace is based largely on what Paul says in Romans 11-5 that a remnant of Israel is chosen by God's grace, and not by man's actions or works.
Paul ties grace to faith in Jesus. Directly contradicting what some churches claims to be the remnant because of things they say they do for God. Must not have read Romans where Paul says God bestows grace freely (in Romans 3-24) because all have sinned, and are justified freely by his grace. A cool way of saying that God elects people not on merit, but only by his grace for those who believe. Freely seems to me like ease of use. Seems like grace is something God loves to give out, and we get all we need.
I will always remember a non-theological, but emotional, definition of grace.
It happened when my mother, who was being treated for terminal cancer, nearly died, not from the transfusion in the hospital, but instead, from hospital acquired infection...
Her hematologist-oncologist said, "Anita, surely the grace of God was with you this weekend because there was nothing more we could do but pray!"
Now, when I think of the "my grace is sufficient for thee" text, I appreciatively remember that doctor's statement.
Such a poignant testimony. You truly are an inspiration to me.
The Merry Christian
For me, the most powerful example of grace was shown after the killing of ten Amish girls in Lancaster County, PA. The Amish community, including families of the murdered children, reached out towards the killer and his family and showered them in compassion, forgiveness and grace.
Families of the victims mourned with the killer’s family at the killer’s home, and outnumbered the non-Amish mourners at the killer’s funeral.
As parents and grand parents, we deeply admire this profound example of God’s grace demonstrated by a religious community at the peak moment of intense pain—when they were experiencing the most profound loss and grief for their murdered children.
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