FAITH DONATION

Based on our title, some might wonder if we will be talking about giving money…we will be discussing something far greater than money.

Today we’re going to be discussing Grace! What is Grace?

When you hear the word “Grace”, it is often associated with religion.  

There are many religious people who will tell you that Grace is a free gift from God.

But did you know that “Free Grace” is an interpretation, and not a direct quote from the Bible?

Many use this Scripture from Ephesians 2 as the foundation for their interpretation.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God. It’s not through your works, so you cannot boast about it”

But this verse does not explicitly say that “Grace is Free”.

Their interpretation offers that Grace is Gods unmerited favor.

Unmerited, simply means that you cannot earn it, but that doesn’t mean it was Free.

Grace gets devalued because there is no human cost paid by the recipient for it: Some assume that if a gift is free to receive, it holds no real value nor does it require any personal sacrifice.

In certain circles this theory is known as “Easy Believism”

The base concept is all you have to do is Just Believe.

This Scripture in James counters that idea. “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”

“Believing there is a God” doesn’t require Faith.

Easy Believism: Claims that faith is just agreeing with a fact, leaving out the need for true repentance or a transformed heart and mind.

I’ve previously shared how your brain plays a part in your Faith.

Because of the more than 6,00 thoughts a day that your brain processes, it likes to create “short cuts”.

When the word Free is mentioned, the brain creates a Mental Shortcut: Your brain uses price as a quick way to judge how good or important something is.

There is a devaluation of free things: If something costs nothing, your brain often assumes it is low effort, low quality, or of no real worth.

So, when you hear that something of value is being given away for Free, you say, What’s the catch? We believe it’s a gimmick. Free giveaways are seen as junk, trinkets, ploys, or undesirable. Free is not valued!

Is Freedom Free? Was it just given freely? What did it cost to obtain it?

African Americans and women in the United States can vote for Free, but their right to vote came at a great cost.

If Grace is Free, then do we need to repent?

Some treat grace as a “free pass” to continue doing wrong, believing God will automatically excuse it., because they have received free grace.

Grace is Free to us, but costly to God: Salvation costs the believer nothing to earn, but it cost Jesus Christ his life to obtain it for us.

Grace is bestowed position, not unlimited permission. #Faith Donation.

True grace is not an excuse to sin; but spiritual power to overcome sin and live differently.

Grace is rooted in transformation: Genuine acceptance of grace changes a person’s behavior and direction toward holiness and Godliness.

Be ye transformed! Why? We got grace!

Does Grace without a price mean Grace without a cost?

Antinomianism is a belief that a Christian is under no law whatsoever, whether biblical or moral, and thus may do whatever they please.

Does the concept that everything was paid for mean that anything can be done without a cost?

Does “Carte blanche Grace” mean you can do whatever you want, with no consequences?

If either of these statements is true, then why are we instructed in Ephesians to put on the whole armor of God?

Also, If I’m completely covered by grace then why would I need armor?

I learned a lot more about Grace than I ever knew prior to beginning this study.

I believe that your life will be greatly challenged and blessed by what we discover together about Grace.

Until next time, “Grace be with you all.” Titus 3:15

This is a Thompson Truth