Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Over the years I have often heard preachers saying things like:
“Grace is wonderful but we need to move on to maturity now.”
“Grace is milk but the teaching of righteousness or right doing is the meat for mature believers.”
“We’re saved by grace but matured or sanctified by the Law”.
“We shouldn’t camp around grace or turn it into a movement, we need to talk about other issues as well.”

Grace becomes just another one of the many New Covenant topics for the Church that we talk about when we’re doing our “grace series”.

The biblical reality however is that grace is the New Covenant! The Old Covenant was a law covenant where Israel’s relationship with God was based on their law keeping. The New Covenant is a grace covenant where our relationship with God is based upon grace. Law was the foundation of the Old Covenant and grace is the foundation of the New Covenant. Therefore grace is not a topic, it’s the very foundation upon which all other doctrines find their context, clarity and application. Grace is not a topic we talk about on occasions, it’s what must permeate everything we talk about. Everything must come through grace or it is not New Covenant. There is nothing you can teach in the New Covenant that is apart from grace. If you try to do that you will distort God’s Word. For example you cannot understand the love of God unless you have a revelation of grace. You’ll only receive and walk in the love of God to the degree you understand grace. If we believe God’s love is limited by our performance we will never be able to walk in the fulness of his love. And it’s the same for every New Covenant truth. We are wasting our time trying to talk about other doctrines if people don’t understand them through grace. Only theology that comes through grace has the power to produce genuine transformation and fruitfulness in people’s lives!

We don’t need to move on from grace, we simply need to move up in grace. In other words don’t ever move on from the foundation of grace, rather build on it. We don’t need to preach on grace every time we preach, we just need to make sure everything we preach is founded on grace.

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

 

5 fundamental reasons why we must never move on from grace:

1. Grace is what matures us.

You’ll hear believers quote Hebrews 6:1 saying that we need to move on from the basic teachings of grace and go on to more mature things.

“Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God…”

But this view is completely out of context. These Hebrews were actually struggling with assurance of their salvation. They couldn’t get passed the very foundational truths of what saves (Hebrews 5:9-12). By this time they should have been teachers, yet they still needed someone to teach them these primary teachings of salvation. They couldn’t go on to spiritual maturity. The “mature” things the writer wanted them to understand were actually the deep truths about grace!

He wanted to speak to them about Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:10). Who is Melchizedek? He is the high priest of the grace covenant! And he actually is Christ (Hebrews 7). The solid food that brings maturity in believers is understanding the depths and truths of grace. We don’t move on from grace, we move deeper into grace.

Paul that great apostle of the New Covenant tells us that it’s the grace of God that builds us up and gives us an inheritance. He was very happy to leave the Ephesus church in the hands of elders who would teach the “word of grace”.

• Acts 20:32 So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Not only does grace build us up and give us an inheritance, it’s also what produces fruitfulness in believers.

• Colossians 1:6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;

Grace empowers us to work out our salvation.

• Philippians 2:12,13 work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

We don’t work for our salvation, we work out our salvation. We work out all the wonderful things that God works in us. To do this we don’t rely on our ability but on God’s grace, which is his ability. He is the one who works in us to “will and to do”. This willing and this doing is God’s ability in us which is none other than his grace. This grace is the very thing that empowers believers to live out their salvation and do God’s will.

The reason why we must fear is because we must be careful not to rely on our flesh to work out our salvation but rather on God’s ability.

Other scriptures showing it’s grace that establishes us and moves us on to maturity:

• Hebrews 13:9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace,
• 2 Peter 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
• Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
• 1 Peter 5:12 By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.
• Acts 13:43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
• 1 Peter 5:10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while – perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

2. Grace is what supplies everything to us.

John 1:16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

Romans 5:2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

i. Miracles come through grace:

• Acts 14:3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
• Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.
• Acts 11:23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.
• Galatians 3:3-5 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?
• Matthew 8:16-17 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

Healing is in the atonement. Jesus carried not only our sins but also sicknesses on the Cross. Christ earned our forgiveness and healing. God’s supply of forgiveness and healing is available to us through grace. We don’t earn either we simply receive them by faith.

ii. Empowerment to serve comes through grace:

• 1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
• Ephesians 3:8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
• 1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise masterbuilder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.

Empowered by grace gifts:

• Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
• 1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
• Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
• Ephesians 3:7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

The ability to serve God comes from grace giftings and an empowerment of grace. Therefore it is important that people understand and are activated by grace. Don’t move on from grace but train people in grace to operate these gifts. How? By relying on God’s ability.

iii. Generosity and provision comes from grace.

Grace is God’s ability. When people get into God’s ability then they will give beyond their means. When people get into this grace of giving, God’s flow of grace for receiving will be operating in their lives too! Being blessed and being a blessing all comes from understanding and walking in the grace of God.

• 2 Corinthians 8:1-3 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means.
• 2 Corinthians 8:7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.
• 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
• 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

3. Grace is how we overcome sin.

Want to overcome sin? Walk in a revelation of grace!

• Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
• Romans 6:15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!
• Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
• Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

What about Church discipline?

This is one of the reasons why people want to move on from grace. Because they don’t know how grace applies to disciplining believers who sin. But grace must absolutely be the way we deal with believers who sin and do discipline in the church! Here’s why:

Most of the sins the New Testament deals with were the results of going back under law or idolatry. Many of the sins were actually pagan practises finding their way back into people’s lives or the manifestations of legalism. People’s sinful behaviour was a consequence of their unbelief. Pride, greed, lust and all of their corresponding sins (jealousy, gossip, slander, anger, violence, murder, self-centeredness, evil practises, theft, selfish ambition, envy, covetousness, sexual immorality, adultery) are the result of unbelief at the core of a person. Behaviour is a manifestation of beliefs. Change the belief system and the behaviour will change.

The goal of discipline is not to punish people but to get faith back in their hearts! They’ve left the path of faith and have wondered into unbelief which has led to sin. Discipline is not about punishment for past crimes it’s about correcting their course for future success.

Galatians 6:1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.

Discipline must be done through grace. Even if at times it requires a strong course of action including confronting, rebuking, admonition, correcting or putting out of fellowship for awhile. It should all be done with the heart to restore someone and to get Christ and his grace back into their heart. When faith in Christ and his grace fills their heart their behaviour will change. We must focus on the person more than the sin. If we focus on the sin we will just be trying to stop it, but there will be no heart change. If we focus on the person and change their heart, the sin will stop. Godly sorrow which leads to repentance is a change of heart first, which then leads to a change in behaviour.

2 Corinthians 7:8-9 For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance.

2 Corinthians 7:12 Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.

What about the 7 churches of Revelation?

Most of the churches of the book of Revelation were disciplined by Christ because of “sin”. If you analyse the cause of their sinning you’ll see it was because they had gone into unbelief and were going back to idolatry. All of their sinful practises were based on idolatry. Christ rebuked them very strongly but the goal was ultimately to correct them back into faith. Even though some of this discipline was very strong and harsh, look at how Jesus greets all of these churches:

Revelation 1:4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come…

Even our disciplining must be done through grace!

4. Grace is how we reign in life.

• Romans 5:17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
• 2 Thessalonians 1:12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

5. Grace is how we relate to God.

We don’t relate to God through a throne of judgment but grace.

• Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

We don’t draw near through our works but the blood of Jesus, his work, his grace.

• Hebrews 10:19-22 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
• Hebrews 7:19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Jesus is the mediator between us and God through his sacrifice and grace.

• 1 John 2:1-2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
• 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
• Hebrews 8:6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.
• Hebrews 12:18-24 For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. (For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.” And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”)
• But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

God’s grace is so rich it will take us from now to all eternity just to understand and experience it! How could we ever move on from it?

Ephesians 2:7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

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Other articles you may find helpful:

Grace revolution or rebellion.
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Four amazing truths about the gift of righteousness.
Election and predestination explained through the New Covenant.
The reason why it’s impossible to lose your salvation.
Thinking right about repentance.
What repentance is and is not for the believer.
A Bible commentary on all the repentance scriptures in the New Testament.

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