Understanding the grace, truth and power of salvation drives all kingdom ministry
Grace is defined “a : unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification.” We can apply Grace to every aspect of our walks with God. Today I want to use the word “GRACE” to help us understand the Gospel.
I like to think of the gospel in five truths laid out in the acronym ‘GRACE.’:
G – God’s Goodness
God is good. He created all things good and said that humanity was very good (Gen. 1). In fact humanity is so good, He even delegated and entrusted to us His leadership over the planet. Romans 1:20 tells us God’s invisible attributes are seen in all He has made. Every good and perfect gift comes from God, (Js. 1:17), and it is His mercy and goodness that follow us all the days of our lives (Ps. 23:6). God’s goodness is the standard by which all ministry is measured. Are we showing the lost and each other the goodness of God?
R – Our Rebellion
There was a rebellion in heaven and a third of the angels fell. This rebellion spread to the earth and infected humanity. Everything God created was good until humanity obeyed the serpent and disobeyed God (Gen. 3). Our disobedience released great disharmony and destruction in our relationships with God, each other, and creation. Every good gift God gave in the beginning was tainted by our rebellion. From that point on all of humanity was born into the rebellion. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23)
A – God’s Answer
God raised up the Israelites as a people who worshiped the one true God. He brought them out of slavery and revealed His goodness to the world, a blatant invitation for all of humanity to believe in Him. He then gave the law and the prophets, promising a coming Messiah. That Messianic promise was fulfilled when God became flesh and lived among us in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus was perfect, without sin, and was the perfect representation of the Father. “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” (Jn. 14:7)
C – The Cross
Jesus died to break the penalty and power of our rebellion. “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us.” (Gal. 3:13) When Jesus died, He disempowered the forces of evil in the universe and released the power of forgiveness to everyone who would believe. Jesus demonstrated his success and victory by rising from the dead through the power of the Holy Spirit. “He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” (Eph. 1:20-21)
E – Empowerment
Jesus said, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) His word was fulfilled at Pentecost, when the disciples “were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:4) As we receive His forgiveness we are born anew. Through faith we are filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to fulfill the mission of Jesus. Paul said, “My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” (1 Cor. 2:4)
These five truths equip you in and out of season to share your faith. They also serve as a reminder of God’s love, allowing our hearts to remain thankful. Are there any other ways you can think of to easily express the gospel? What has worked for you? Does your life reflect all five truths?
