Freed By Grace

June 2021

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. I often get asked the questions, “What is grace?” and “Does grace have a sound?” I find some to be confused with the meaning of the word and are afraid to ask for Biblical clarification. As Christians, we hear people say things like, “There’s grace on that,” “Only by grace,” or “Grace will get you through.” I often observe confused expressions on listeners’ faces as people unknowingly use Christianese (Christian lingo that sounds foreign to those hearing such grand verbiage) to describe God’s simple yet complex truths. I, for one, do not want to do anything without the grace of God’s favor and ease, but many do not understand what that means in the context of their own everyday lives. For some, even mature followers of Christ, it can be hard to grasp the full meaning and revelation of the word “grace.”

“Grace is free sovereign favor to the ill-deserving.” – Benjamin B. Warfield

“For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.”

– Saint Augustine Of Hippo

Grace is amazing! In fact, the Lord showed me that it does have a sound. Grace is a green light to go where He has called us to go. He showed me a picture of a memory from when my daughter was little. When she was small, she loved to carry around her Disney Princess toy microphone. Every time she moved it or pointed in the direction she chose, it made a “bling” sound like a magical fairy godmother wand. She loved to point it at people, even in the grocery store, and pretend to give them favor to enter the Kingdom. She was always pretending she was a princess. In fact she is and was a princess in God’s kingdom and through this memory the Lord was teaching me what grace truly is. It’s His favor, His “bling” and green light to enter into all He has in store for our future. It’s the sound of the Lord granting us access into His Kingdom’s plans and purpose.

“The higher a man is in grace. The lower he will be in his own esteem.”

– Charles Spurgeon

“What gives me the most hope every day is God's grace; knowing that his grace is going to give me the strength for whatever I face, knowing that nothing is a surprise to God.”

– Rick Warren

It is by God’s grace that we are saved and become princes and princesses of the King. It is through God’s grace we remain rightful heirs of His Kingdom. Unless we understand the true meaning of grace, then we cannot fully realize our identity in Christ. Many people try to live life in their own strength. They often see God as easy-going, allowing them to sin freely, and ultimately living an unfruitful and difficult life. Some tend to think the very opposite and see God as a demanding ruler that is disappointed in their choices. They are then in danger of operating out of a religious spirit instead of walking in the power of the Lord. At times, I have had my own struggles and realizations about God’s love and grace. I learned through the Word of God, that as Kingdom citizens, we have the same DNA as our Heavenly Father. Therefore, by His loving grace, we can be carriers of His glory—giving and receiving His grace. Through His grace and ease, we can walk in complete freedom.

“Grace is the voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off.” – Max Lucado

“Nothing but grace makes a man so humble and, at the same time, so glad.” – C.H. Spurgeon

CHILDREN OF THE KING

We know that DNA is a molecule that resides in each of the hundred trillion cells in our bodies and each strand of DNA contains the blueprint, the genetic instructions, that enable our bodies to live, develop, and function. Although most people associate DNA with criminal investigations or the twisted ladder we learn about in Science class, one thing most people fully understand is that we each have a unique and specially designed set of DNA passed down from our parents that lives in our bodies and makes us wonderfully made. “You truly are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’” (Psalm 139:14).

The scientific term “genotype” is the internal genetic code that we receive from our parents and the outward manifestation is referred to as our phenotype. I find the parallel between the natural and spiritual fascinating. We gain our natural, physical genetic coding from our earthly parents but receive our spiritual makeup and coding from our Heavenly Father. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6). By being born again by the Spirit and asking Jesus into our hearts, we are made new.

As we grow and develop spiritually, we express more of Jesus’ nature and character that we received in our new birth. As we are born again, we have a clearer understanding of being made in the image of God. “Let us make man in Our own image, according to Our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). Therefore, we share God’s nature, attributes, and have the ability to fellowship with Him by the Spirit. Peter explains in 2 Peter 1:4 that we become “partakers” of the divine nature of God. John and Paul also explain in Galatians 3:26 that we are sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Since we are children of the King and are made in His image, then we should reflect His nature. 2 Corinthians 3:18 explains that God wants us to “reflect the glory of the Lord” and become more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image. By saying we have the DNA of our Poppa God, we are referring to grace as God’s DNA. We are simply saying that God is gracious and that His grace was conveyed to us spiritually when we became His children. When we grasp that we are made in the image of God, that we are reborn children of the King and heirs to His Kingdom, then we can begin to understand the true meaning and definition of grace in its fullest capacity. By understanding His grace we find our true identity in Christ.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

What is grace and what is it not? Grace is seen continually throughout scripture and has an enormous scope. Grace is so vast, any attempt to define or describe grace would be hard because it’s so amazing and immeasurable. Our finite minds may feel overwhelmed because God’s grace is more than words can explain or imaginations can conceive. The word grace can be found around two hundred and six times in the KJV Bible. Psalm 111:4 tells us that, “The Lord is gracious” and in Proverbs 3:34 it says that, “God is the giver of grace.” God’s nature is loving, giving, and just. He wants to give us the wonderful gift of His grace as we bring glory to His name. “And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory” (2 Corinthians 4:15).

WHAT GRACE IS

Grace is like a high five or a wave hello from the Father inviting us into His Kingdom. It has been used for centuries as a greeting. The standard greeting before Jesus came on the scene was shalom, the word for God’s peace in the Hebrew language. Paul and other New Testament writers added grace, charis, to the greeting making it a very powerful statement. Seventeen times in the New Testament some variation of “Grace and peace to you” is used in expressing blessings. As God’s grace is brought forth, peace follows. Grace in the form of a high five, wave, greeting, or blessing appears many times throughout God’s Word in the scriptures. It’s God’s grace that brings about His blessing. “Grace be with you” (Colossians 4:18). As the Lord gives us high fives in the spirit, He releases His favor, peace, mercy, and blessings into our lives. As His favor rains over our lives then we can shine with His glory through His grace that He bestowed upon us.

We are transformed when we realize God’s presence through His words of blessing that are like a wave hello to grant us access to all He has in His Kingdom. God’s intentions towards us are good—for blessing and not harm. He is a loving Father and Just Judge, not a mean ruler in the sky. His loving grace brings abundant favor as we seek to praise and glorify His name. As we dig deeper into the understanding of God’s grace, I encourage you to not focus on failures of the past, but focus on God’s goodness and forgiveness that brings about true freedom. God’s grace revealed to us through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of God’s son, Jesus, should leave us in awe and wonder of Him––causing a healthy fear of the Lord that leads us to worship His holy name. Lawrence O. Richards says that, “Grace is the free, undeserved goodness and favor of God to mankind.” There are no human words to describe God’s grace and that is why the vastness of His love for us should leave us in a holy reverence and with an attitude of worship.

Although humankind seems so undeserving of such grand love and favor from the King of the World, God sees things differently. God is a loving Father––the Giver and Sustainer of life. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not yourself; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). No matter what we have done in our past, He still offers salvation freely through His loving grace. We are never too lost that His love can’t save. For by His grace and through His grace we grow and mature into His likeness. With grace, we can walk in freedom as we allow God to lead us daily.

God desires His grace to be at work in and through our lives to transform us. As we cooperate with Him, His will shall be made manifest in the earth as we realize what grace actually is and what it is not. Without His grace and ease, we can not walk in His perfect will. We not only need saving grace but also sanctifying grace, strengthening grace, sharing grace, and serving grace. God’s grace is the nourishment and nutrition that satisfies every desire and need as we develop and mature in Him. Like butter makes everything better, His grace makes life slippery, smooth, and delicious. Like butter spray on a pan causes food not to stick, so God’s loving grace helps us slide into His will for our lives covered in His oil. “When my steps were washed with butter, and the rock poured out for me streams of oil” (Job 29:6). Grace is the slip in slide to destiny as we are bathed in His loving lather of grace.

WHAT GRACE IS NOT

Now that we have begun to establish what grace is, let's take a look at what grace is not. Grace is not merely a prayer before a meal, a cultural sophistication or elegance, or the ability to miserably tolerate a situation. It is not a dead theological concept, a passive attitude that God has towards us, and it does not give you the license to sin. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12). Grace is not cheap, does not save based on performance, it’s not an additive or supplement for salvation, it’s not a cop-out or an excuse to avoid spiritual disciplines, and it does not imply the absence of challenges or effort. Grace is not hard, but rather the multi-faucted ease in which we are drenched as we walk through life with the Holy Spirit by our side. Grace is like a beautiful diamond, it has many sides to gaze at and appreciate.

In addition, God’s grace is active and productive to break the chains of sin and shame so we can walk in freedom. Grace doesn’t take the place of asking for forgiveness or confessing sin, but greatly influences how we confess our sins. We begin to see the difference in telling God what we did wrong by providing information versus asking for forgiveness because we do not want to do anything to hurt His heart. As we partake of God’s grace, more grace, manifold grace, and multiplied grace, our lives will not be lived independently from God, but will reflect the spiritual union that God has paid so high a price to establish. Freedom is God's gracious forgiveness and redemption that was provided for us at the cross. Grace through God’s love is expansive yet remaining. Grace is the evolving change to stabilize our life for the better. Tony Cooke says, “When grace is received, powerful things happen. Tangible blessings are imparted into the lives of people, and lives are lifted, transformed, and empowered.” God’s grace is the powerful change needed to give us the ability to keep us from staying in a lost, broken, and hurting place––grace rescues and saves. Grace is free, but it cost Jesus His life. The wages of sin is death, but the goodness of God's free gift through His grace costs nothing and brings forth life. Therefore, grace is not legalism, it’s fruitful freedom. As we walk in His freedom, we become glory carriers as we see ourselves as rightful heirs––children of God.

Therefore, grace is not bondage, but freedom. However, Grace is not a safety net to catch us if we fall. Grace is the catalyst to propel us forward in the will of God for our lives. Grace always produces fruitful and productive lives. Grace is a springboard for us into a life of obedience and fruitfulness. God’s grace is the supernatural empowerment in our lives that goes beyond works alone. Works will not save, only by grace can we walk in God’s freedom. God sent His son to pay for our sins through His death on the cross. Even though we are sinners who have done nothing for God, He still freely gives grace to us out of His unending love. “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Once we have received His freedom through grace––we are made right with God.

POWER OF PURITY

Grace not only brings about freedom, ease, and power, it helps cleanse and purify by enabling us to live holy lives in a very corrupt world. Sanctifying grace helps fight enemy attacks against our mind. As we live a free and pure life by the grace of God, we can learn to abide in Him and renew our minds daily. As we remain fixed on Him, our old thoughts, habits, needs, wants, and addictions fall away. Grace is first and foremost about what God has done, but grace is also about what God enables us to do. What you do is based on what He has done. Grace allows us the ability to walk in purity and love that can only be found in the Lord. The more time we spend with Jesus, the more we become like Him as we are bathed, lathered, and oiled down in His grace and ease.

God’s grace helps us achieve the impossible and go places we never dreamed. Grace is the favor from above that slides us into doorways that would be impossible to enter otherwise. With the grace of God we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Heavenly places. The Lord knew us and chose us before the foundations of the world to be His children. As we see ourselves as heirs to the Heavenly Kingdom, we realize that with His grace, nothing is impossible for us to accomplish. God accepted us into His family and injected us with His DNA. Because we are made in His image, filled with the same power from above, and chosen and called to do His will from the foundations of the world, there is nothing that is stopping us from walking in complete freedom and destiny.

Thomas Watson said, “He called them that they may be holy, and holiness is the beauty produced by His workmanship in them.” We are God’s work of art—formed in the palm of His hand before the foundations of the world for a purpose and destiny. Grace leads us towards our fruitful destinies in purity and causes us to live a life of obedience to walk in that calling. Grace always leads to a higher level of obedience and purity, not away from it. It’s not religion or legalism, but living a lifestyle pleasing to God. Only by His grace do we have the ability to carry out His commandments. His sanctifying grace empowers us to develop a lifestyle and behavior that is pleasing to God. The power to walk in freedom with ease is the grace of God at work.

EMPOWERED BY GRACE

Grace is not what we achieve but what we receive. Grace has nothing to do with us earning salvation, but has everything to do with our expressing the salvation God gave us freely through Jesus Christ. It is the freedom that releases us from the bondage of sin and enables us to walk victoriously in the calling of God. God’s grace is what covers us and brings us victoriously through life’s challenges––it’s the revelation of God’s love as a Provider and Father. Freedom is receiving His grace and walking in victory toward the upward call of God on our lives. “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). With the Lord we are strong and have all we need as heirs of His Kingdom, but apart from Him we are weak. By His strengthening grace we can say what Paul said in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Paul knew that God was continuously infusing him with strength and daily walked in the freedom of His grace. If Paul can, so can we. I challenge you to try not to do things in your own strength, but to abide in the Lord and rest as you allow Him to be your strength and guide you through everyday life. He wants to be your main source of love, support, and provision.

Paul's life is a great example as to how we should live our own lives as we walk in the grace of God. Paul had an amazing understanding of grace, but it did not cause him to pick up his feet, kick back, and say “God’s done everything and I don’t have to do a thing.” Grace does not mean we don’t have to work. However, it does greatly influence the way we work. Paul was mindful that it is through and by grace that enables and empowers us to serve, do what the Lord has called us to do with ease, and walk with sure steps toward His call. Every believer has a gift and calling on their life, an area God has graced (poured His buttery, oily favor over) them to fulfill. As we abide in Him and He abides in us, we are able to serve Him happily and productively. As we walk in the call on our life, empowered by His grace, God is glorified as He establishes His will in the earth.

It says in Hebrews 13:9, “It is good that the heart is established in grace.” We must realize that it is good for us to be grounded in the understanding and revelation of God’s grace as the intentions of our heart aligns and meshes with His. Tony Cooke so beautifully says, “May we cease striving in the flesh, and may we experience and enjoy the grace-based life He ordained for us, a life that is guided by His Word and empowered by His Spirit. May we find our lives so completely immersed and intertwined in Him that we say with apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:10, ‘By the grace of God I am what I am.’”

In conclusion, because of God’s grace, we are able to become who He says we are and has called us to be. It is vital that we fully grasp the meaning of the word “grace” as every single source of blessing, or “bling” from above. His loving grace is more than enough. Therefore, it is by God’s grace that we are saved , strengthened, restored, blessed, and walk in victory as children of the King. During my study of grace throughout God’s Word, I ended with a fascinating discovery that I truly am a Kingdom citizen with the DNA of God and carry His glory. By the Lord’s loving, saving grace we can have and walk in complete freedom as we slip and slide into our destiny.