The Grace Effect

Grace is a preeminent topic of the New Testament. The Apostle Paul always used the word grace in his greetings and salutations, but it is more than just a word—it is a force. Paul gives us an explanation of grace in these words “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24). The understanding of grace begins with the comprehension of our own sinfulness, but at the same time grace is about abundant forgiveness. That forgiveness of our sins is transformative and redemptive. It doesn’t matter who we are or where we live; we all need redemption, and God’s grace is the vehicle of that redemption.

When we comprehend and embrace God’s grace, we begin to change in noticeable ways. We no longer feel the need to try to prove our own righteousness to God, and that’s because we cease to trust in our goodness—we see that as an impossibility. The incessant desire to strive for status begins to dissipate as we realize who we are in Christ. The overwhelming need to compare ourselves to others and justify our worthiness by pointing out the faults of others becomes unnecessary. The unwillingness to forgive others and hold grudges diminishes as we learn the essential importance of forgiving those who hurt us.

The effect of grace gives us a magnanimous heart and removes the pettiness that often plagues us. The desire to be good and righteous is a natural response to grace, or as I am describing it, as the grace effect. But this goodness is not our goodness but the righteousness he gives us. The prophet Isaiah described the effect like this, “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever” (Isaiah 32:17). This is a picture of a person who is satisfied with their life and what God has given them, and the result is they have peace.

The number of people suffering from inferiority complexes and dwarfed self-confidence is staggering.  Most of them are trying in their own dysfunctional ways to compensate for their low self-esteem. When people compare themselves to others and tie their appearance, accomplishments and success to others, they are in bondage. The grace effect sets us free to serve Christ and live out our God-given purpose in quietness and confidence. We feel no need to blow our own trumpet, and yet there is confidence to live life.

The greatest effect of grace is that it teaches us to have self-control. Paul wrote to Titus about this: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 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).  The underlining reason most people are unhappy is that their minds and passions are out of control. God's grace empowers us to say no to our worldly passions and yes to godliness and self-controlled living. It is helpful to see grace as a masterful and gentle teacher helping us learn how to live with self-control in every area of our lives.