One of the great theological debates in Christianity is summed up in the question, “Do we live under Law or under grace?” Last week’s article focused on the basis of the debate and on the nature of the Law. This week, we’ll focus on grace. Previous articles are always available online at http://www.webbweekly.com.
Do we live under Law or grace? Well, we need both. Jesus didn’t come to abolish the Law; He came to make it complete, to make it perfect. The Law is perfect at letting us know of our sinful condition and its terminal outcome. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” After making that statement, Jesus goes on to amplify the Law to its highest possible level. Why? Because without the Law, we wouldn’t know to look for grace.
The Law gives us the diagnosis of sin and guilt. The Law also gives us the prognosis of death and hell. Grace provides the cure for sin and guilt through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Grace also provides the cure for death and hell through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus triumphed over sin and death and the grave — and He makes that triumph available to us. That’s grace. Hallelujah!
The grace of God through Jesus Christ is beautifully described in Romans 5:6-11, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person, someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”
That, my friends, is grace — and it is amazing!
“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.”
Those words were written by a man named John Newton. John lived in the 1700s. John endured seasons of slavery in his young life. He suffered terrible abuse and mistreatment at the hands of his owners. When he finally gained freedom, he found work on an African slave ship. His career advanced, and he became a captain of slave ships. After suffering a stroke, he gave up work on the sea, but he continued to invest in the slave trade.
Then the grace of God found John Newton. It radically reoriented his life. He immediately became concerned for the well-being of African slaves. In time he became a priest and a passionate supporter of the abolitionist movement. He lived long enough to see the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807, enacted by the United Kingdom, which prohibited slave trade throughout the British Empire.
What happened to John? What was it that set his life on a new course? The answer, by his own testimony, was amazing grace.
While a passenger on a ship, he awoke to discover the ship was caught in a terrible storm and was sinking. He prayed desperately for God’s mercy — and then the storm began to calm. The ship made it safely to port. That storm and rescue was God’s grace to John. The event ignited in him a desire to know more of God. He began reading the Bible and Christian literature. On March 10, 1748, John received the grace of Jesus Christ. His life was forever changed from that moment forward.
How did a bitter man who endured slavery and then abused others in slavery find hope, purpose, and peace? The answer is grace.
And what about you? Your story may be different than John’s, but it contains the same ingredients. Life has been tough and unfair. You have suffered injustice. It’s possible it made you bitter or sent you down a hole of depression and victimization. To cope, you’ve taken your anger out on others or punished yourself with unending guilt and regret.
You’ve done your best to find relief from the pain, anger, and guilt, but everything you’ve tried has just led to more of the same. Dysfunction and drama rule your life — and you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired.
My friend, the Law declares that you are dead in your sin and guilt — and being dead, there isn’t a blasted thing you can do about it. There isn’t enough alcohol or drugs or money or sex or religion in the world to cure the problem. There is only one answer — and it is grace.
This article found you today. It’s not by chance; it is by grace. God is still reaching out to you. He hasn’t given up on you. He loves you. He wants you to be healed and set free from the slavery of a meaningless and hopeless existence.
Are you ready to open your heart to grace? If so, do what John Newton did. Begin reading or listening to the Bible. The internet has made doing so easier than ever. Start with the book of John. As you read, you’ll have questions. That’s a good thing. Find a good church or a good Christian and start asking your questions. A good church and a good Christian won’t be offended by you or your questions. They’ll love you right where you are — and they’ll go on the journey with you.
The Law brought you to this point; now, let grace lead you home.
