What do you think about when you hear the word grace? According to Pastor Bill Giovannetti, many people, both Christians and non-Christians, have a misunderstanding of the depth of God’s grace.
“There’s such a shallow view of grace because it’s essentially a Christ-less grace, a cross-less grace and a blood-less grace, and then it becomes a meaningless grace.”
“When we eviscerate grace; when we take Christ out of grace and the cross out of grace, we’re left with God is nice and that’s about it.”
“You can have can have all kinds of Christian liberty and never get to the root of what grace is and how God’s riches are Christ’s expense; how those things go together.”
Pastor Bill reminds us that we can’t forget about the power of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection when we think about grace.
“Grace is humans going to God, not on our own effort, but through the effort of Jesus Christ and His finished and sacrificial work on Calvary’s cross for us.”
It’s hard to sometimes understand what God wants us to experience through His grace, so many people have a tendency to become legalistic about receiving it. Pastor Bill describes the unmerited nature of grace.
“If you need it, grace applies it. If you break it, grace fixes it. If you lose it, grace finds it. If you spoil it, grace restores it. When you’re dirty, grace cleans you. When you’re down low, grace picks you up. When you’re hurt, grace comforts.”
“Grace is a situational shape-shifter. It will go where you go. What’s your need? What’s your opportunity? What do you have facing you? God will adapt his grace to suit your need.”
“The amazing thing about it is that, with all of the different circumstances, all the different situations of all the different people of all the ages of time, grace never runs out and grace can always adapt to any situation.”
Pastor Bill wants to remind us that no matter what we are facing or feeling today, there is enough grace for us all. We need set our performance mentality aside and dive deep into the grace of God.
“If you’re afraid of something today, there’s a kind of grace for you. If you feel guilty, broken or like damaged goods, there’s a kind of grace available to get you through this moment and beyond to help you rise above it – it’s an infinite supply.”
Bill Giovannetti, D.Min., is a professor at A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary and Simpson University, senior pastor at Neighborhood Church in northern California, and author of several books including How to Keep Your Inner Mess from Trashing Your Outer World, Grace Intervention, and Grace Rehab.
Key Scripture: 1 John 4:10
Featured Songs: Grace is Enough by Chris Tomlin; Calvary by Hillsong; Jesus by Chris Tomlin.
Grace Intervention
