In the Grip of GraceSample

The Gift of God’s Solution to the Problem We Face

Through the book of Romans we meet the apostle Paul. Here he presents one of the clearest and most powerful explanations of Christian doctrine that has ever been recorded. His devotion to Jesus, his boldness to speak (and write) the truth, and his understanding of God’s grace all serve as examples that we can seek to follow. 

A key principle that Paul presents is that we are all sinners (see Romans 3:23). Paul is clear as he writes that he views himself as the worst of sinners. After all, he was a Christian killer before he was a Christian leader. The problem we all face is that our sin—our ungodliness and unrighteousness—results in God’s wrath. God gets angry because our disobedience results in self-destruction. God loves his children, but he hates what destroys them and he hates that our sin separates us from our Father. 

Paul also points out that salvation, the solution for our problem of sin, is only available because of God’s infinite, marvelous, unparalleled grace. We have no way of finding our way home. Not in our own strength. Sin infects the entire person, from eyes to feet (see Romans 3:9–18). It is fatal—for everyone. God’s holiness demands that sin be punished. God’s mercy compels that the sinner be loved. 

The answer is Jesus. By his perfect life, Jesus fulfilled the commands of the law. By his death, he satisfied the demands of sin. God doesn’t condone our sin, nor does he compromise his standard. God assumes our sin and, incredibly, sentences himself. God’s holiness is honored. Our sin is punished. And we are redeemed. We are justified freely by God’s grace (see Romans 3:24).

The problem is that most of us don’t believe it. Or, at least, we act like we don’t believe it. Instead, even after we experience that moment of salvation—even after we are justified—we keep on trying to earn a level of righteousness by doing good things and avoiding bad things. We have a difficult time understanding the concept of grace because we have a difficult time accepting that something as incredible and valuable as eternal life could be free to receive. Paul responds by saying that it is faith, not good deeds, that God uses to make people right with himself.

Another struggle that we can have with grace is not that we don’t understand God’s offer, but that we believe we don’t deserve it. Do you worry you’ve overextended your credit line with God? Is there a chapter in your biography that condemns you? Is there no hope that God could ever forgive you? It is crucial that we understand that gace is a gift that our Father in heaven offers us. It is eternal, unbreakable, and is available to everyone. Grace is of infinite worth but is given freely. When we accept this gift, we can live in the confidence that our guilt has been removed and that we are right with God—no longer separated from him.

Respond

Why is it important for you to acknowledge that you are a sinner?

What has Jesus done to provide for your salvation from sin? How would you describe your understanding of God’s gift of grace?

What struggles have you had with accepting God’s grace? What freedom have you experienced because of his grace?