Joy Prompts Grace
As we have been walking through Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, we have encountered the idea of a received identity versus an achieved identity. A received identity is one where our value is not determined by what we have accomplished but by the esteem and regard of someone who is outside of ourselves. Conversely, an achieved identity directly correlates to I am only as valuable as what I have done or produced. Jesus has reminded us that what makes us truly valuable is the fact that God has said that we are (Matt. 6:26). A received identity is not only freeing, but it is the very reality of the gospel. It frees us from legalism and fear and propels us forward as people who have been transformed by grace. If my identity is wrapped up in what God has done for me, then I do not have to be crippled by my own performance. Instead, I am propelled to live courageously for God. That is the power of a life transformed by grace.
Grace is a wonderful motivator and a powerful antidote to hypocrisy.
What is your first tangible memory of receiving grace? Mine comes from junior high. My father was and is a wonderful dad and now grandad. Among the many things he did well were instilling a work ethic in my brother and me, a commitment to keeping our word, and timeliness. As you can imagine, all of those things have helped me immensely as I grew into an adult and even now as I raise my children. However, one word that doesn’t immediately come to mind is gracious. Now, please don’t misread this. My dad was (and is) loving, present, and thoughtful. He just always followed through on discipline. And I mean always! Trust me; as the rebellious son, I tested his consistency quite often.
But, once, when I was in sixth grade, my brother and I had just received new BB guns. And we realized that if they weren’t fully pumped, they would only leave a pockmark in the window in the back machine shed. So… we peppered it till it looked like Swiss cheese! Do you know who found out? Dad. Do you know who was consistent in discipline? Dad. But, this time, with deep empathy for two young and adventurous sons, he extended grace. He bought the new glass, and he installed it! We didn’t get grounded or punished at all. We rightfully deserved punishment and to pay for and replace the window. Instead, we got something we never deserved, a gracious response from our dad.
Our heavenly Father is the same way. He graciously sent his Son Jesus to die on the cross and be the payment for our sin. We did not and do not deserve it. We cannot earn it. It is a free gift from the overflow of his love, a love that is selfless. As we (Christians) experienced this selfless love for the first time at the moment of salvation and continue to experience it every new day by abiding (remaining) in Jesus, our joy is being made complete (1 Jn. 1:4). So what happens as our joy is being made complete? The love of the Father is perfected in us (1 Jn. 2:5). What type of love is this? A selfless love. As that selfless love is made complete in us, it becomes more and more integrated into our identity. In that, it is less of “something to do” and more increasingly “something of who we are.” In this way, joy prompts grace because we are content and secure in our identity in Christ, and from the overflow of love and grace we have experienced, we desire to give grace away. And nothing has more power to change a heart than grace.