A Quick Theology of Grace

The Old Testament reminds us that human effort alone will not bring us to God.

Something more is required.

Something gracious.

What is Grace?

In Christian theology, God’s grace is His enabling us to partake in deep life with Him - something we cannot do on our own.

In other words, it’s God taking us somewhere our willpower cannot.

God is flawless and eternal, we are imperfect, living in a finite world. We cannot reach the heights of God any more than we can use our willpower to grow a set of wings and fly.

This is what grace is needed.

God’s grace is Him reaching out to us, in the person of Jesus, accomplishing what no human effort ever could.

But such a grace isn’t a guarantee. 

How God’s Grace is Received

To receive God’s grace is to declare dependence on Him, acknowledge our limitations, and embrace Jesus’ Way of life.

God then acknowledges this and, in His grace, brings us into a relationship with Him.

Jesus lays this out in John 14, explaining to His disciples that He (not us or our willpower) is the only way to God.

When one devotes themselves to the Way of Jesus, God will send what Christ calls “the Holy Spirit”, to impart this grace onto them.

The person in question is now freed from the weight of sin and embarks on an ongoing journey of spiritual restoration in Christ.

Beautiful!

But, in John 14v23, Jesus makes a point we’d do well to remember:

You see, the reality of grace as a freely given gift has led some to downplay our role in the process.

Yes, you heard me right, our role. 

Even though our willpower can’t accomplish what grace can, that doesn’t mean we’re devoid of responsibility. 

But how you might ask, does that track with everyone we’ve talked about so far?

Come back tomorrow and find out.

For now, be blessed.

Jon,

Theophilus Newsletter