Grace? Hyper Grace? What is Grace?

Probably by now you would have seen articles and videos here and there about "hyper grace" and lots more refuting it as heresy, and even more trying to strengthen its claim of truth. The irony is that almost no article actually explains what "hyper grace" is, or actually even what "grace" is. After a while, it all becomes a mishmash of arguments what sounds like both side having a different understanding of what "grace" and salvation is about in the first place.

So what is "Grace"?

... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,  whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. Romans 3:23-25

Grace is a biblical term for unmerited, undeserving favour from God. This is predominantly shown through God's gift of salvation to mankind. Man have sinned (sin = rejecting God as rightful ruler) and lived lives the way he wants to, making himself the ruler of his life. In doing so, God is rightfully angry at his created subjects. We have become God's enemies. The rightful punishment of sin is eternal death. God does NOT need to save us. However, by His grace shown towards us, He has given a means of which we can be saved from the punishment of sin. This was done by Jesus' death on the cross, at which, his blood acts as a propitiation (turning away of wrath by means of an offering). This means of salvation is to be received by faith.

Salvation by Grace gives Christians a new Status

In attaining salvation, one has to reject sin, put their trust in Jesus' death as a payment for his sin, and live with God as their ruler. Through salvation, sinners become "saved" sinners. Does this make us perfect now?

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV

Actually no, becoming a Christian is the start of a long endurance race. It is race of putting aside sin, and growing in faith and godliness. This is pretty hard work. From my personal experience, it involves gaining a deeper understanding of God through reading the bible, ongoing repentance, working hard at saying "no" to sin, and learning to love others. Of course, I don't do this with my own strength, but with the help of God.

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,  and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.  For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 2 Peter 1:5-9 ESV

Why work so hard at godliness? It's Grace after all...

It must be pretty ironic to think "if it is by grace, we have been saved", that we have to work at godliness. But if you turn the matter on it's head, if it wasn't by God's grace, we would be screwed! We would be dead in our transgressions, and on our way to hell (eternal death).

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,  even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5 ESV

So by God's grace, we have been saved, hence we owe to him our lives now. God has paid for our lives with a price. A price none of us could have afforded. Now we are to live as slaves to righteousness.

But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,  and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. Romans 6:17-18 ESV

Yet, no matter what we do, we can't save ourselves.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

The Christian life is all about keep going back to the cross where the work of salvation was all done for us. No matter how hard we work at our godliness, we can NEVER be as godly as what God wants us to. It would be foolish to forget your salvation through grace and become self righteous.

Now to really confuse.. Faith without Works is DEAD

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:17 ESV

So if we are saved by grace and not by works, what does it mean by "faith without works is dead" then? And outward working of works is our expression from our faith in us. If we don't have faith, we won't be actioning our faith. If we aren't actioning our faith, maybe we've to really question why aren't we. Is it laziness, lack of self control, or do you not actually have faith? It's something really worth praying about.

Assurance of Salvation

That having said all that, we can still be completely assured of salvation on the last day when God returns to judge. When God returns to judge, he will unleash his wrath on the unrighteous. But to all who have been justified (declared right) by Jesus' blood, we can be completely assured that we will be saved from God's wrath. 

Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. Romans 5:9 ESV

It's a great blessing to be assured of salvation. And God has done so for all he has declared right by his blood. I hope you will personally find the joy in assurance of salvation one day if you have not already.

Conclusion

I hope this article really helps to clarify the concept of grace, particularly with what is grace in the first place. If sin is really troubling you, or you aren't sure about your salvation, do speak to your minister about it. Or leave us a note in the comment below.

To subscribe to my blog, please Like on our Facebook page.
To support my blog, please click on one of my sponsor's advertised links :)