Puzzled by the “Ho-Hum” (yawn) Response to the Grace Message

by Eldon DeBoer

I must say that I just don't get it. What I don't get is the “Ho-Hum” response to the grace message from those who say they believe in deliverance from sin and death through faith in Christ Jesus alone but appear to be less than enthusiastic about what they have received. Personally, I continue to remain enthralled by the grace message whenever I pause and contemplate what it means to me and my relationship with my Savior. It's all about what God has done for me through Christ by His grace! Maybe “Ho-Hum” believers (and I certainly am not doubting their salvation) have forgotten the great price the Lord paid in the horrors of His suffering and death to make their glorious eternal life and forgiveness of sins possible (2 Peter 1:9). And deliverance from sin and eternal separation from God is received by faith free of charge to us. But maybe “Ho-Hum” believers have not really grasped what the grace message is about. So here's another explanation of what I understand to be at the heart of this glorious message of God's grace in Christ Jesus.

What Is the Message of God's Grace

and

the Christian Grace-Way of Life?

“And now I commit you to God and to the message of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32 from the Holman Christian Standard Bible). These are some crucially important departing words from the Apostle Paul to a group of church leaders. The Apostle Paul was entrusting these people to God and to the message of God's grace.

The message of God's grace is all about Jesus Christ, what He has done for you and what He continues to do for you. It is about the free gifts of eternal life and righteousness that are required to enter God's presence and that are received by believing in Christ Jesus plus nothing more (John 6:47; 20:30-31; Romans 3:23 – 5:1). Yes, that's right! Believe in Christ plus nothing more! Since Jesus did all the work for you on the Cross of Calvary by dying in your place to pay the penalty for your sins, there is nothing more that needs to be done. All He asks you to do is believe in Him and receive the many gifts He freely gives because He gave His life for you (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Your works cannot add anything to the work of Christ Jesus. But aren't good works important? Yes. But your good works do not and cannot save you from your sins. Only Christ can do that. And Christ has done that! What's more, your good works do not keep you saved and should not be done in an effort to prove that you have been saved from sin and death. Study the Apostle Paul's letter to the Galatians to gain a grasp of this awesome truth.

Yes, good works are very important. But only good works done in the strength of Christ Jesus that are carried out in thankfulness and appreciation for His free gifts are acceptable to Him. This is what Jesus taught when He declared, “. . . for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5) Apart from depending on Christ and His strength and living life in a loving response to His love and grace, our lives will be a waste (2 Corinthians 5:10-17). God's grace message therefore also includes what God has freely provided so that you can live a life that is pleasing to Him. This may be called the Christian grace-way of life. When you know that you have eternal life because Jesus promised it to all who believe in Him, you are truly free to please Him from a heart of love to Him. No worries. Through faith in Christ Jesus and through faith in Him alone God has given to you His righteousness that has made you fit for heaven.

From what the Apostle Paul and the other apostles of Christ Jesus wrote throughout the New Testament, it should be understood that this message of God's grace is the only message, the only teaching, that truly builds up believers. Believers in Christ are the “sanctified,” that is, they are set apart as holy and righteous before God because of their faith in Christ. This message of God's grace is the teaching from God that, when applied, results in being rewarded for good works, “an inheritance,” which will be received to the glory of the Savior.

If a believer truly grasps what the grace message is about how can he or she have a “Ho-Hum” attitude about it. Since it is the teaching that truly builds up believers, are not “Ho-Hum” believers in danger of not being built up in the faith?