Christ in You by Eric B. Johnson

Author:Eric B. Johnson [Johnson, Eric]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: REL012040, REL012120, REL079000
ISBN: 9781441265289
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2015-03-16T00:00:00+00:00

The Intent of Grace

In our journey toward learning to walk in confidence, it is important that we understand the full intent of grace. Grace was not given so we would live in a place of guilt; it was given so we could move out of guilt and step into what God has for us. In my experience, most Christians believe the latter, yet seem to struggle walking it out. If we believe grace was given based on our need, then we will live in a constant tug-of-war. But if we understand that grace was given so we could live in a place of full access to God’s abundance, then we will start experiencing measures of the Kingdom that so far, we have only dreamed about.

It is so important for us to understand the intent of grace. One of my desires is to help people move and live in the realm of grace. I am troubled when I see people living in a place of guilt, yet saying they live in grace. Think about how often believers use the statement “I’m a sinner saved by grace.” This has become the anthem of many Christians, who use it to help themselves stay humble and to explain their shortcomings to themselves and others. But I do not think the intent of grace was for us to continue identifying ourselves as sinners.

The apostle Paul wrote in one of his letters to Timothy, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15). This verse is often misunderstood and taken out of context. We read it as though Paul is letting Timothy know of his current state as “chief sinner.” It is better understood, however, in the larger context of what Paul is communicating to Timothy in the verses that precede it:

But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

1 Timothy 1:8–13, emphasis added

Paul is well-known for his letters and teachings about righteousness obtained through faith in Christ. In verses 9–10 in this passage, he makes the connection that the law is for sinners, not for the righteous. He was a major advocate of the conviction that we died with Christ, but have also risen with Him (see Romans 6:8).

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