Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Grace

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5

Dead people can’t do anything to bring life into their bodies! So when Paul likens grace to being made alive when you are dead, it is a powerful image of the free unmerited gift that grace is…

Paul paints grace as a dramatic intervention bought about by the great love our heavenly Father has for us. Take some time today to reflect on the awesomeness of God’s grace.

Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Grace

And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. Romans 11:6

Grace wouldn’t be grace if we could earn it. If doing good or being good or praying the right amount came into the equation, then grace would no longer be grace. You see grace is free; it’s unmerited; it’s scandalous in its benefit to us. It is a gift offered to us by a loving and gracious God who longs for you to know him.

Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Grace

In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world— just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God's grace. Colossians 1:6

Many Christians live trying to earn God’s love, others believe God’s grace isn’t sufficient for them, while others do not live out of their identity as children of God. I know because I was one of these Christians!

I see a link between the growth of the gospel and Churchworld’s understanding of grace. It’s time for you and me to truly understand grace (in our hearts not just our heads).

Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Grace

There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:22-24

Jews and Gentiles, shall we say, were finding it hard to get along! The main issue was: how could Gentiles follow Jesus without becoming a Jew first? Paul sought to unite them by emphasising what they had in common. There is no difference between you he says. Both groups have sinned and are saved freely by Gods grace through Jesus. Privilege and superiority has nothing to do with grace.

Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Grace

Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

When we’ve sinned we can sometimes find it hard to turn to God. Pride or guilt or shame gets in the way or we can even believe that we have to earn our way back into God’s good books. However, we’re told that we can be confident of being met by God with mercy (compassionate treatment/attitude) and grace (an unmerited gift). Do you need to approach God confidently today?

Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Grace

Grace be with you all. 1 Timothy 6:21

In every New Testament letter Paul wrote, his concluding remarks always contain this or a similar refrain: grace be with you all. And if you flick through his letters you’ll see that he always begins with grace too! It’s like Paul saw grace framing everything he did. It was the first word and the last word. How much does grace frame how you live?

Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Grace

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:4-6

As I reflect on these verses I find it interesting to note that it is not really concerned with the content of what we say, but more in the way and attitude in which we say it. We communicate the gospel not just in theological points but within gracious speech too. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.*

FOOTNOTE:
* The Message paraphrase of Colossians 4:4-6

Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Grace

See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15

Many people judge God on the community that goes by his name. Depending on the healthiness of our Churchworld relationships people can actually miss God’s grace. One cause of unhealthy relationships is bitterness caused by unforgiveness. You can recognise it by feelings of hostility or resentment towards someone. God calls us to be people of forgiveness, cutting off bitterness at the root before it has time to grow.

Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Grace

As God's co-workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 Corinthians 6:1

“It is one thing to be saved. To believe in Jesus. It is another thing to be healed. It is possible to be saved and miserable. It is possible to be saved and not be a healthy, whole, life-giving person. It is possible for the cross to have done something for a person but not in them.”*

Don’t receive God’s grace in vain; let Jesus heal and transform you.

FOOTNOTE:
* Rob Bell, quoted from his book Velvet Elvis

Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Grace

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Romans 6:1-2

Knowing we can ask and receive forgiveness from God anytime we like doesn’t make this a reason to sin, however tempting it may sound. Grace is not something to cynically take advantage of. Grace is not like medicine we can take when we’re ill – grace is the cure! How is grace transforming the way you live?

Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Grace

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. Titus 2:11-12

Grace has so impacted our own lives that we choose to say no to ungodly living and we rein in our worldly desires for more and more stuff, sex, money and power… Grace teaches us to do this perhaps not in any conscious way but in a way where over time we come to view anything other than living (in) grace as being second best.

Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Grace

Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God's grace. 2 Corinthians 1:12

It can be hard living with godly integrity within our society. Paul says the only way he did it was by relying on God’s grace. Trying to be good and nice without relying on God’s grace is exhausting and causes us to live out of religious performance (a law-based Christianity). God’s not into that. He desires a relationship where he works with you on your integrity – are you up for this?

Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Grace

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

How can you use your gifts to serve others? This is the question the New Testament letter writers are trying to train us to ask ourselves. It doesn’t come naturally does it this kind of thinking? We literally do need to train ourselves to think this way rather than going straight to our default position of using our gifts to promote ourselves, gain popularity and win over friends.

Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Grace

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men… 2 Timothy 2:1

Many scholars think this second letter to Timothy is the last letter Paul wrote before he was executed. This encouragement to Timothy therefore carries extra poignancy. When events threaten to overwhelm us we can find strength available for us in Jesus. This strength is sufficient not just to help us survive, but to actually keep us going – for Timothy this strength would help him continue teaching.

Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.