We believe that God’s empowering grace, as revealed by the Holy Spirit, is the key to moving into God’s destiny for His Church.

So how exactly is grace empowering?

Grace is more than unmerited favor

A popular view of grace is that it is “unmerited favor.” While that is a nice idea and there is some truth in that definition, I think it actually limits the power of grace teaching. It implies that I need not change, grow or become mature because God loves me just as I am. This type of thinking greatly limits God’s work in us. Examining the letters of Paul enlarges on that definition and brings it into the realm of empowerment.

Paul exhorted Timothy to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:1). As Charles Capps defined it, grace is “God’s willingness to use His power and ability on our behalf even though we don’t deserve it.” That is a masterful definition!

Grace is more than God’s good will toward us. It is His willingness to do in us and for us that which we could never do on our own.

It’s an action, not an attribute

Have you ever thought of grace as God’s love in action? The original Scriptures were written in Hebrew and reflected a Hebrew mindset. As Greek-influenced thinkers, we tend to think abstractly. So, we think of grace as something God has, an attitude of benevolence. But the Hebrew mind would think of grace as something God does – His benevolent activities on our behalf.

The Hebrew concept of mercy reflects the same idea. It is not an attitude that God has, but an activity He performs in faithfulness to His covenant. Try thinking of the great Bible words that describe our redemption as promised activities, rather than attributes that God possesses.

It empowers us from within for right living

As God works in our lives, His grace empowers us from within for right living. Grace doesn’t mean it no longer matters how we live; rather, grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and live in ways that please God.

Titus 2:11-14 says, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Paul comments, “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Of course not!” (Rom. 5:15).

Far from condoning or overlooking sin, grace empowers us to yield to righteousness and bring forth holy fruit for God. Through God’s overflowing grace and gift of righteousness, we are to reign as kings in this new kind of life through Christ Jesus (see Romans 5:17 Weymouth). Grace is God working in you by the Holy Spirit to conform you to the image of His Son.

Grace in us empowers us to fulfill our destiny. We are a people of destiny. Let grace work in you to empower you to become like Jesus. That is your destiny.