The perfect law of Grace

God's grace is often hard for us to fathom, and so Jesus talked to us about it often. Author Philip Yancey expressed it well in his book 'What's So Amazing About Grace?' “I have meditated enough on Jesus' stories of grace to let their meaning filter through,” writes Yancey.  “Still each time I confront their astonishing message I realise how thickly the veil of 'un-grace' obscures my view of God.”

I'm convinced that the greatest inconsistency in the church today concerns the grace of God. Every doctrine and every precept should come under the government of grace (so that they can become personally and operationally effective). If you detach a particular spiritual truth from grace, you cease to propagate the gospel. Grace is the main rule of our new and better covenant. The further you move from the gospel of grace, the less capacity you will have to experience any of God's wonderful and amazing attributes. Remember, according to the new covenant God cannot operate outside of grace toward you.

Nelson's Bible Dictionary says, “grace is favour or kindness shown without regard to the worth or merit of the one who receives it, and in spite of what that person deserves.” Grace is God’s mercy in action! Grace is unmerited favour, and it is totally reliant on the character of the person who is releasing it (not on the recipient).

Grace is different to justice and mercy: Justice is getting what you deserve. Mercy is not getting what you deserve. But grace is getting what you don’t deserve. Even though the wonderful grace of God is undeserved it can't ever be taken for granted. It should be humbly sought and earnestly desired (Malachi 1:9), it must be received by faith (Amos 5:15), and you must learn to trust in the mercy and favour of God – even when that grace is totally undeserved (Romans 4:6; Galatians 2:16).

Grace is a free gift, given freely by God - to be enjoyed within a covenant relationship. Grace is ‘relationship centred’ because it was secured by the work of the cross. The grace of God was supremely revealed and given in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus was the embodiment of God's grace (John 1:14), but He was also the vessel through which God brought it to mankind (Titus 2:11). By His death and resurrection, Jesus restored the broken fellowship between God and His people. The only way to the Father is “through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 15:11).

Note the Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of grace (Hebrews 10:29). The Spirit is the One who binds Christ to believers so that they can receive every spiritual gift or “grace” (Ephesians 4:7). Here we see the Father generously dispensing grace through His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit sealing this divine act with His presence. All three Persons in the Godhead are involved in (and committed to) grace.

The theme of grace is especially prominent in the letters of the apostle Paul. He sets grace radically over the law and the works of the law (Romans 3:24, 28), and makes it abundantly clear that grace is not something that can be earned – it can be received only as a gift. “…According to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power” (Ephesians 3:7).

In 2 Corinthians 12:9 the apostle Paul quotes the Lord directly and states, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” The Greek says, “My grace is enough for you, because My power is perfected (comes to its successful conclusion) in weakness.” Paul knew he needed God's power and strength to accompany his ministry, but God knew that the best way for this to happen was for Paul to be kept in a place where he feels powerless.

In a time of crisis, too many of you still build walls to retain what little human strength you have instead of letting go and relying totally on the pure grace of God. You stubbornly refuse God's avenue of escape - His amazing grace! Remember, failing is no longer an issue because Jesus took care of that on the cross. Failing grace, however, remains the primary issue. To stay down after having failed is to fail the wonderful grace of God. Getting what you don't deserve is a part of God's plan – so you should be comfortable with this! And grace is available when and where you need it.

Here is how you can apply the Law of Grace right now:

1. Think of a specific situation that you are presently struggling with. You desperately need insight (you need to know what to do), in order for it to resolve or come to a successful conclusion. Firstly acknowledge your frailties, foolishness or mistakes in that situation, and then simply ask for God's wisdom to manifest. James 1:5 states that God will give you a liberal portion of His wisdom, and without reproach. 1 Corinthians 1:27 declares that His wisdom is made perfect (comes to its successful conclusion) in your foolishness. Therefore, the gift of grace will see you through - no matter how foolish you may have been.
2. Think of something you do not have the power, strength or ability to accomplish right now – something that's impossible for you to do. Then ask God for His resurrection power (that’s continually at work in you) to manifests and causes you to be victorious / triumphant. 2 Corinthians 4:7 states, His power is made perfect (comes to its successful conclusion) in earthen vessels. Not only do you house God's power, but you also dispense it! God’s power flows out of you!
3. If you are caught up in sin, or have any compulsive habits, all you need to do is receive forgiveness and then forgive yourself. Now, see yourself as righteous! 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, His righteousness is made perfect (comes to its successful conclusion) in your sinfulness. Where sin abounds, grace abounds even more (Romans 5:20). Therefore, there is not enough sin to stifle, nullify or ‘put out’ the grace of God.
4. If you are having financial difficulties, focus on your covenant with God. And remember, He has given you the power to obtain wealth in order to establish His covenant (Deuteronomy 8:18). 2 Corinthians 8:9 states, His riches are made perfect (come to their successful conclusion) in your lack. Now, take your eyes off your lack and acknowledge that your promised land (the land of milk and honey) is awaiting you. Imagine that it's just over the hill. You may not feel that you deserve the wealth you're about to receive – but that’s fine with God. So, surely it must be fine with you also? For this is grace in action!
   

Wisdom, power, righteousness and riches all come to a successful conclusion because of God’s grace. So whatever your problem, the overcoming and powerful grace of God has the answer! Grace desires to release the awesome power of God into every negative – in order for you to secure the victory – right now!