Maximising God’s Grace (9) - The Guardian Nigeria News
Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:1, “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” (KJV)
If you look around the landscape of modern, 21st century Christianity, you will see a fascinating paradox. We have more access to the gospel than any generation in human history. We can stream sermons on demand, download dozens of Bible translations on our phones, and listen to worship music twenty-four hours a day. Grace is the central buzzword of our modern theology. We sing about it, print it on t-shirts, and caption our photos with it. Yet, despite this unprecedented access to divine grace, the modern church often struggles with an agonising lack of spiritual power, moral clarity, and authentic discipleship. We see fractured relationships, rampant compromise, and a culture that looks at the church and sees no difference between the local assembly and the secular world.
Why is there such a massive gap between the grace we proclaim and the lives we live? The Apostle Paul diagnoses this exact spiritual disease in his second letter to the Corinthians. Writing to a church that was highly gifted, culturally relevant, yet deeply compromised, he delivers a staggering warning in 2 Corinthians 6:1: “As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.” To receive something “in vain” (eiskenon) means to receive it so that it yields no profit, produces no effect, and results in nothing. Paul is presenting us with a terrifying possibility: It is possible to accept the grace of God, but live in such a way that it becomes entirely fruitless in your life.
In today’s Christian culture, we have a bad habit of treating grace like a cosmic insurance policy rather than a transforming power. We want a Saviour who forgives our past, secures our future in heaven, but leaves our present completely undisturbed. The famous theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer called this “cheap grace.” He defined it as the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, and communion without confession. Cheap grace is grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate. Paul reminds us that grace is not a license to stay the same; but the divine enablement to change. If your grace hasn’t changed your lifestyle, it isn’t God’s grace you received, but a counterfeit.
Notice how Paul positions himself and the believers: “As God’s co-workers…” This blows apart the modern idea of passive Christianity. Yes, salvation is entirely by grace through faith; you cannot earn your way to heaven, while we are not saved by works. We are saved for good works. Sanctification and growing to look like Jesus Christ is a cooperative effort. God provides the supernatural power (grace), but we must provide the cooperation (faith and obedience). God provides the grace to forgive, but you must choose to release the bitterness. God provides the grace to overcome addiction, but you must take the radical steps to cut off the temptation. God provides the grace for unity, but you must humble yourself to reconcile with your brother or sister.
To accept grace and then refuse to work out your salvation with fear and trembling is to treat Christ’s sacrifice as a cheap commodity. We are called to be active partners with the living God, and allow His grace to flow into us. Then, through us to a broken world. Let us open our hearts today, repent of our casual approach to holiness, rise up as God’s co-workers, and decide to live upright, godly, and holy lives in the midst of a crooked generation.
• Today’s Nugget: Grace is not a cheap commodity.Prayer: I am empowered by grace to live a victorious Christian life. Prayer lines: 08033299824. E-mail: [email protected]. Rev. Abel UkachiAmadi, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God Nigeria.
