Alright, let's jump right in. Today, we're tackling a concept that can feel a bit counterintuitive but is, I believe, absolutely fundamental to how we process our brokenness and our hope: Grace. Specifically, the often-missed prerequisite for it.
The other day, I was in a situation that perfectly illustrated this. We had a couple of gents in our program who, despite clear guidelines, decided to play by their own rules. We're talking defiance, disrespect, and a hearty dose of "I'll do what I want." As you can imagine, I wasn't exactly handing out participation trophies. I called them out. Hard. Consequences were laid bare.
Later, my wife, with that gentle yet piercing insight wives often possess, inquired, "I thought you were going to show them grace?"
I had to reply, “Grace isn’t a free pass; it requires a turning—a recognition of wrong.” Without that realization of wrongdoing, without conviction of sin, grace doesn’t have a foothold.
Grace, by definition, is unmerited favor. It's the idea that God loves us and desires to save us, not because of our good works, but in spite of our sin. However, if we do not acknowledge our sin, we do not see the need for God's gracious intervention. In essence, grace requires a recognition of our wrongdoing, a conviction that we have fallen short of the mark.
This is where repentance comes in. Repentance is not just feeling sorry for our actions, but a deliberate turning away from sin and towards God. It's a change of heart, a change of mind, and a change of direction. And it's precisely this change that allows us to experience the fullness of God's grace.
The Dangers of Cheap Grace
If we offer grace without the requirement of conviction and repentance, we risk cheapening the very concept of grace. We risk creating a culture where people feel entitled to forgiveness without taking responsibility for their actions. This kind of "grace" can actually enable continued sinful behavior, rather than encouraging transformation and growth.
In my conversation with the men in our program, I was firm because I wanted to impress upon them the gravity of their actions. I wanted them to understand that their behavior was not acceptable and that there would be consequences. However, my goal was not just to punish or discipline, but to bring them to a place of conviction, where they would recognize the error of their ways and turn towards a path of righteousness.
Grace isn't merely overlooking behavior—it's the power to change it.
However, when someone continues in defiant behavior after receiving grace, it does suggest they haven't truly received it. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
Is Conviction Our Job or the Holy Spirit's?
While we must maintain standards and boundaries, John 16:8 tells us the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. Could there be a way to be firm about consequences while still demonstrating grace in your demeanor and approach?
What Does Grace Look Like in the Moment?
Grace doesn't mean no consequences—but could it mean:
- Explaining why their behavior was problematic (helping foster understanding)
- Enforcing consequences with a redemptive tone rather than a punitive one
- Leaving the door open for restoration once they recognize the issue
Consider this example.
When Jesus encountered the woman caught in adultery (John 8), He offered grace before her repentance was verbalized, though "go and sin no more" made the expectation clear. Might grace sometimes create the space for conviction rather than only following it?
Question for you: When’s a time you needed truth before mercy made sense?
Until next time.
Pastor Tigger
