Is that the point? WE Deserve! As Christians, can we get it through our heads (misplaced pride) and realize that when it comes to spiritual matters – earn, purchase, deserve are never the reason for all that we have – they aren’t even considered! It’s all, as in ALL, the result of accepting the free GIFT of salvation that Jesus purchased for us.
Salvation is the door of entry into an entirely new and different mindset. And when we walk into our inheritance because we accepted the Lordship of Jesus… nothing is the same. It may not be instantaneous… that’s not the point. The condition/status that makes the difference. As we continue ‘to work out our salvation’ [Philippians 2:12] we grow in our knowledge and understanding.
Why is it that we tend to complicate teachings, concepts, commands, etc. in scripture when God uses ‘plain speak’? Grace… it’s all about God’s Grace. God, the Father, is showing His compassion, His acceptance of our decision, His Grace which helps us toward acceptance [Ephesians 2]. When it comes to Grace, we use a simple definition, God’s unmerited favor toward us, and then proceed to redefine it to the point of creating confusion. It’s almost like what the early believing Jews were doing to new believing Gentiles – adding to what needs no addition. (Galatians 2:7,14)
Paul teaches us (in nearly every letter he wrote) about Grace and how it is available for us and expands the reasons and purposes:
2 Corinthians 9:8:
“God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
(Now, that seems to picture grace as a power , an influence…)2 Corinthians 12:9:
“Jesus says to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”1 Corinthians 15:10:
“By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder [that was the effect of grace] than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”
In all three of those texts — and they’re not the only ones — grace is not only a disposition or a quality or an inclination in the nature of God, but is an influence and a force and a power and an action of God that works in us to change our capabilities for work and suffering and obedience and joy and peace and meaning and …
Grace is a predisposition, a frame of reference that we extend in our world, knowing how much grace has been extended to us – FOR us by a loving Father. I would propose that Grace changes everything and I also would suggest that you get Pastor Robert Morris’s latest book, “GRACE” [Grace Period]. It will significantly change your perspective.
