Ministering Grace
Recently, a church member emailed me questions prompted by a discussion with a coworker. What is meant by “means of grace?” What are the means of grace?
First, I explained what I am certain he already knew. Grace is unmerited favor or undeserved kindness. It is the only way a person can be forgiven or have eternal life. Salvation is by grace through faith alone in Jesus’ death on the cross for our sin. (Eph. 2:8, 9)
But in addition to eternal life, grace also has to do with our present life. In 2 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul prayed that God would remove a “thorn in the flesh” – evidently some kind of physical suffering he was enduring. God answered his prayer but did not provide healing. Instead, He provided strength to endure. He said, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” (2 Cor. 12:9) The Bible assures Christians that through prayer we can find “grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16) God provides spiritual support when we are tempted, discouraged, grieving, or otherwise spiritually weak. Like saving grace, this strengthening grace is unearned. Yet God provides it generously.
But still unanswered is the question about means. We know what grace is, but how does it come? Some believe it comes through sacraments. The Bible indicates that it comes by faith through prayer and the Word of God. Rites or ordinances prescribed in the Bible, such as baptism and the Lord’s Supper, do not provide grace. They are instead memorials that illustrate and teach.
That was the extent of my email reply. But that is not all the Bible says about grace. Without muddying the waters or contradicting the idea of God’s grace coming by means of faith through prayer and the Word of God, there is a channel of grace that is often overlooked. (Again, for clarity, God alone is the source of grace.)
Paul wrote to Christians in the Greek city of Corinth telling them about the grace of God in the lives of believers living in Macedonia. He said these saints were experiencing a great trial of affliction and deep poverty. And yet, they were extraordinarily generous. How could people enduring hardships and privation be at the same time joyfully charitable? The grace of God was bestowed upon them. (2 Cor. 8:1) The life-changing operation of God made them something they would not possibly otherwise be.
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul likens the change God works in a believer’s life to removing a dirty garment and putting on a new and clean one. “Putting away lying, speak every man truth…” (4:25) “Let him that stole steal no more, but rather let him labor… that he may have to give…” (4:28) More than commands to not do one thing and do something else, these are instructions about what we can be by the grace of God. God’s grace can change a liar into an honest man. It can make a greedy, lazy man a hard-working, generous man.
Another verse says, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (4:29) Notice, God’s grace in a person’s life, making the insulting to be encouraging, brings grace to others. Someone needing encouragement may receive it through the agency of a Christian whose heart and then his words are changed by God’s grace. The grace someone needs may come to them from God through you.
During the Italian campaign in World War II, a combat soldier entered a bombed-out chapel. There he saw a damaged statue of Jesus with the hands and feet broken off. He took a moment to try to set it up and restore it, but he failed. Instead, on the wall over the image of Christ he wrote, “I have no hands but your hands, and no feet but your feet.”
God gives grace to us: grace that saves, grace that strengthens, and grace that flows into the lives of others.
Channels only, blessed Master, but with all thy wondrous power flowing through us, Thou canst use us every day and every hour.
David A. Oliver is the pastor of Ashley Baptist Church in Belding, MI.