For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (Titus 2:11,12)
The central thrust of today's preaching is that we ought to try to please God by living righteously; but if we do not, grace steps in and covers our sins and carelessness. If we believe in the Lord Jesus we will go to Heaven when we die. If we have not been diligent, we may not receive as great a reward as someone who has served the Lord with their whole heart (some do not go even this far!) but basically we are "saved by grace," meaning that God sees us through Christ and will bring us to Heaven when we die.
The above concept of salvation is incorrect in both goal and program.
Is it any wonder the Christian churches are in moral chaos, and the secular governments, which depend on the Church for moral guidelines, along with them!
Perhaps if we will examine a few of the passages of the New Testament that include the word "grace" we will begin to gain a more accurate idea of what Divine grace actually is.
Does grace mean primarily that Christ suffered so I can neglect to live righteously and still enter the Kingdom of God? Let us see.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. (Luke 2:40)
"Grace," as used above, seems to be speaking of the favor, the blessing of God, rather than the overlooking or forgiving of Jesus' conduct.
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. (Acts 4:33)
Again, the idea seems to be that of God's blessing and favor rather than the overlooking of sin.
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. (Acts 11:23)
Again, the favor and blessing of the Lord.
And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. (Acts 14:26)
Again, the favor and blessing of God. Notice that one could not balance a teaching on the necessity for righteous behavior by emphasizing the favor and blessing of God (grace), unless one was pointing out that the purpose of the favor and blessing is to enable us to do God's will. It never would be true that God's favor and blessing were being held out as an alternative to righteous behavior, an excuse for sin in the lives of the elect. It is obvious from the New Testament, as well as the Old, that the favor and blessing of God always accompany righteous and holy behavior. God will not favor and bless those who are living in sin and disobedience.
Already we have seen that grace is not always speaking of the overlooking or forgiving of our conduct.
In the final sense, Divine grace is the Presence of God through Christ.
But we believe through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. (Acts 15:11)
Here is a verse that could be construed to mean God overlooks our sinful behavior and forgives us because of Christ. But a look at the context will reveal that grace is not being contrasted with righteous living but with the statutes of the Law of Moses.
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. (Acts 15:5)
To continue our thought:
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. (Acts 20:32)
Notice that God's grace not only forgives us but also builds us up in Christ. Grace is not a legal maneuver whereby sinful, rebellious "believers" can escape the wrath of God. Grace is the Presence of God in Christ that forms the righteous Christ in us, resulting in a transformation of our personality and behavior.
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ: (Romans 3:24)
The above verse might seem to support the current viewpoint that Divine grace is a perpetual covering of the sins of the believer, a new manner in which God views man and relates to man. But a careful consideration of Chapters Two through Five of the Book of Romans will reveal that Paul is contrasting redemption through Christ with redemption through the Law of Moses.
Paul would never contrast Divine grace with moral cleanliness, truthfulness, and honesty because the very purpose of grace is to create righteousness in us. This is why problems arise when we seek to balance the necessity for righteous behavior with an appeal to grace. Grace is not an alternative to moral transformation, to the new creation in Christ's moral image, but the producer of the image of Christ.
How could grace be an alternative to the new creation when the purpose of Divine grace is to produce the new creation?
We ought always to balance our preaching of the severity of God with a clear expression of the goodness of God. But let us keep in mind that the goodness of God never dilutes the severity of God.
We are not to think that God's severity will never be exercised against us because of His goodness. Rather, the goodness of God provides enabling power and wisdom (grace) that make it possible for us to turn away from sin and to walk in paths of righteousness.
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (Romans 11:22)
If we as a Gentile believer do not continue in God's goodness, that is, to walk before Him in faith and righteousness, we will be cut off from the Olive Tree, from Christ, just as happened to the unbelieving Jews.
To be continued.
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