There are people that believe that the Law is a good measure to live by. It is a good standard to go by and aim to keep it as a measure of insurance. Surely there is nothing wrong as having it as a standard right? These same people identify grace as possibly dangerous if taught without caution. Grace needs to be measured otherwise it will reap licentious living. They could not be farther from the truth of God’s word. What does it say?
“…Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us [future-bodily redemption] from every lawless deed [past], and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession [present], zealous for good deeds.” Titus 2:14
Notice how Christ Jesus gave himself, redeemed us, purified us for Himself resulting in a people zealous for good deeds? The question is, how does He do this? Is it by the Law? Sounds logical but what does the Bible say?
NO:
“For the GRACE of God has appeared, 1) bringing SALVATION to all men, 2) INSTRUCTING [paideuo] us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the 3) appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” Titus 2:11-14
Believers get they were saved from lawless deeds but don’t always see that they are actively being purified and one day will be redeemed (bodily resurrected).
Understanding grace is the answer. You see we understand grace many times as ‘getting off the hook’, ‘getting lucky’, ‘not getting what I deserved’, ‘getting a break’, ‘saved by the bell’. This is not grace at all.
Grace is a Person – Jesus Christ who died for our sins are rose again. This work (through the Person) 1) brought salvation, 3) will come back in great glory BUT ALSO 2)Instructs us!
“For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,” Rom 8:3
Here’s the key: The word INSTRUCTING [paideuo] can also be translated chasten (1 Cor 11:32 KJV), discipline (Heb 12:6), teach (Acts 22:3), learn (1 Tim 1:20).
God disciplines (Instructs) those He loves! THIS IS GRACE at work in you!!!
“…but He disciplines [paideuo] us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.” Hebrews 12:10b
I’d like to invite you to read Hebrews 12:5-11 from a grace perspective. Take a second to look how God wants to be involved in your life today.
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