What He Taught About Grace—and Faith
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works" (Eph. 2:8, 9, NIV). The words are from the apostle Paul as he reflected on the Christian message of salvation, which he expressed differently than Jesus did. In fact, one might be tempted to ask whether Jesus believed in righteousness by faith. But to ask that question is to grossly misunderstand both Paul and Jesus. Jesus' approach to teaching about grace seemed at times to go in a different direction; one reason, incidentally, that we should not be too legalistic with one another over the exact formulas we each use to describe God's marvelous act of grace in Jesus, and our response to it.
Jesus came as the epitome of grace. He was grace personified. To encounter Him was to encounter grace. "We have seen his glory," John wrote, "the glory of the One and Only, . . . full of grace and truth" (John 1:14, NIV).
In the following passages, what is Jesus teaching about grace and faith?
From these passages, we learn something of the many ways Jesus taught about grace, through His parables and through the object lessons of His own life. How could Peter ever forget his utter helplessness in the face of the deadly elements that surrounded him that night on the lake? His only recourse was to cry out to a Power beyond himself. And instantly the response was there! No delay. No need for penance. No complicated formula or requirement. Just three words, coming naturally from his extreme desperation: "Lord, save me!" (Matt. 14:30, NIV). And immediately the hand of Jesus was on him. That is grace.
Of the various accounts listed above, which one speaks to you most powerfully of God's grace? Having received such grace yourself, how can you be more willing to give it to others just as undeserving as yourself?
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