An important area of personal discipleship is the development of a spiritual faculty that will help us to distinguish between the Lord's grace on our character, from that which is on our works of service. The two are not necessarily the same. One only has to look at the disciples to see ample evidence that being used by the Lord to do amazing things in His service, is not necessarily a vindication of our character and personal spirituality.
Despite being involved in many miracles, time and time again they are caught arguing about who is the greatest, who will be the leader, and who should and who shouldn't be included within their ranks. This dichotomy isn't limited to the New Testament. Jonah witnessed an amazing revival amongst the Assyrians in Nineveh, but was so angry with God for sparing them, he sat down in a sulk and wanted to die! Jacob plotted, schemed, and ultimately succeeded in deceiving his brother Esau out of his birthright. Aaron had a major architectural role in the construction of the golden calf at Sinai. In Jacob and Aaron's case, they would both go on to become men whose lives spoke as loudly as their works.
One of the evidences of spiritual maturity is a growing self awareness and understanding that every calling on our lives is a calling of grace. With that in mind, I have listed a number of clues that can help us identify authentic grace operating in our lives. As already pointed out, we need to discern between the grace of God that is changing our lives, as opposed to that which is on our ministry or service. The two are not necessarily the same.
Jesus reserved some of his strongest words for those who thought that the quality of their performance for Him would compensate for the lack of passion and desire to both know and become like Him.
" Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. " Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?" "And then I will declare to them, ' I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' Matthew 7 v 22-23.
Grace is our teacher to change us into the image of Christ.
'For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope- the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ,who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good'. Titus 2 v 11- 14.
What are the clues to look out for in recognising authentic grace on a man or woman? I've listed a few that I look for, and I hope and pray people will see more and more of these clues in my own life and pilgrimage. I am very aware that I am still very much a work in progress.
1. People of grace walk with a limp.
There is nothing new in this statement, and many have used it in relation to Jacob walking with a limp after his wrestling match with the Lord (Genesis 32 v 22-32). Equally well known and quoted is the reference to Paul's thorn in the flesh ( 2 Corinthians 12 v 7-10).
The point is that there is a humility and vulnerability in anyone who has had any serious encounter with the Lord. Isaiah was never the same man after his encounter, recorded in Isaiah 6. Peter was not the same man after the Lord's recomissioning of him in John 21. John on the island of Patmos, was left prostrate when he encountered a small glimpse of the Lord's glory.
When our spiritual eyes are opened, we see how merciful and mighty the Lord is. Everything is put into a correct spiritual perspective. We echo the words of Isaac Watt's hymn, that 'All the vain things that charm me most, are surrendered to His blood'. Whatever giftings, abilities, riches, wisdom, or strength that we possess, all have been freely given by the grace of God. We are grateful recipients of undeserved privilege and mercy.
2. We walk as sons not slaves.
One of the greatest enemies to true spirituality is false humility and its accompanying 'worm theology'. An encounter with the Lord will leave us in no doubt that we are undeserving recipients of grace and mercy. However, that same encounter will leave us in no doubt of God's love for us. God is Love! He has redeemed us, and has now 'blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ' (Ephesians 1 v 3).
Humility that comes from God's grace working in us gives us a confidence and boldness to approach our Heavenly Father in prayer. True humility has a correct view of the Lord, and of ourselves as co-heirs and sons in Christ. We share the Father's house and heart. We were once alienated from God, but now we are his children.
A child of God is a spiritual prince, not a pauper; a warrior of love and truth, not a worm begging in prayer like a modern day Oliver Twist for a morsel of spiritual blessing. Grace is the foundation upon which we access the full rights of sonship in Christ. Growing in sonship is one of the great clues of God's grace being evident on a person's life.
3. Success, Sacrifice, and Suffering converge in a servant lifestyle.
One of the greatest passages that reveals the nature of Jesus' life and ministry is Isaiah 53. In this servant song, Jesus is presented as one 'familiar with suffering', and one 'stricken by God'. Through suffering and sacrifice, Jesus succeeded in 'bringing us peace..., by his wounds we are healed'. All three- success, sacrifice and suffering, converge together in the servant, Jesus. What an example to follow!
We can't even begin to follow this example without the grace of God. However, I do believe that these outstanding qualities of sacrificial suffering servanthood, are part of the foundational grace that God ultimately declares successful. The radical Jesus models a completely different paradigm of a life given to the Kingdom of God. I am always a little cautious of anyone who carries the outward trappings of success, without any of the wounds and suffering that will naturally accompany our daily carrying of the cross.
'In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persected, while evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived'. 2 Timothy 3 v 12-13.
4. Security, Simplicity,and Submission converge in a self effacing lifestyle.
Insecurity is something that we all struggle with, and the battles will be different from one person to the next. As a church pastor, I have observed that insecurity in church leadership will often manifest in the following ways:
- A desire to have a finger in every pie, so that one can keep control of everything. Those who are often saying that they are committed to team ministry are often the ones who in practice end up leading one man shows.
- A pre occupation with being given recognition and opportunity.The question 'Where do I fit in?', becomes more important than the positioning and serving of others.
- Commitment more to ideology and sociology as the glue to keeping the organisation together, rather than Christology. We become more concerned with the values that empower and protect the leadership and the movement/ organisation, than we do in promoting the values of the Kingdom of God.
When we follow Jesus, we are not that bothered where we fit in or whether we are getting recognition. Our security is in the grace of God, and not whether people recognise our gifting or calling. We know God will be looking after the details of our lives. We don't take ourselves too seriously, and can see the tremendous security and healthiness in submitting to the grace of others around us.
I often find that there is a simplicity of manner, life, and expression on those living out of the grace of God. Complex things are made simple; there is an ease in being in their company; you are free to be yourself without being judged; you find yourself wanting to follow Christ with greater passion.
5. Silence, Serenity, and Sufficiency in Christ, converging in a hidden life.
In Proverbs 27 v 3, we read that the provocation of a fool is heavier than a stone. I know there are times when I have been provoked to speak or express annoyance, that has made me look more the fool than the person who has provoked me. Remaining silent when under provocation requires incredible levels of grace. Jesus remained silent before his accusers. How often have I regretted not doing the same when under provocation?
A hidden life with the Lord is one of the keys to remaining silent under provocation. When we do need to speak, we will do so with poise and appropriateness, rather than reacting to the circumstances and people around us.
All of our callings are callings of grace. Whether we have one, two, or five talents, they are gifts of grace that we exercise to glorify God. However, the grace of God on our service is not always necessarily a vindication of the Lord's grace on our lives. As we have seen, the Bible is full of examples of where people have been used by the Lord inspite of themselves. May we be those who are known for the grace of God on both our lives and our works of service. Where God's grace is on what we do, because of, rather than inspite of, how we are living before Him.
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