Meditations on Romans 8 - A Brief Word on Grace

Whenever we spend time reflecting on God’s grace, it’s important to understand what the Scripture says about grace and godliness. For example, some people read Romans 8:1 and wrongfully think that the idea of “no condemnation” means they have a "green light" to sin or that God no longer disciplines His children. Obviously, both of these thoughts are wrong because they violate Scripture.

First, God’s grace is actually the deepest call to personal holiness. Grace is not a license to sin; it’s liberty from sin! Of course, Scripture is abundantly clear on this point (see Romans 6; 1 John 3:1-3). Paul urges us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices in view of God’s mercy (see Romans 12:1). Also, he explains that God’s grace teaches us to pursue a life of godliness in the midst of this wicked world (see Titus 2:11-14). John MacArthur summarizes this point well when he writes, "Paul did not see God's grace as a static attribute whereby He passively accepts sinners. Rather, he described it as a dynamic force that transforms thought and behavior" [John F. MacArthur, Jr., The Gospel According to Jesus (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1988), 215].

Second, God’s grace doesn’t mean that He refrains from disciplining His children and that His discipline isn't painful. The writer of Hebrews clearly tells us in Hebrews 12:7-8, “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.” The Biblical author also continues in Hebrews 12:10-11, “Our [earthly] fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

So the two following points are obvious from the above verses. God’s discipline is not a sign of His rejection; rather, it’s a sign of His acceptance. Furthermore, God’s discipline is painful, but it serves the purpose of cultivating a harvest of righteousness in our lives, if we are trained by it.

Every parent knows that discipline is a part of raising their children. In fact, when I was a child, I completely rejected the notion some adults shared when issuing discipline: “This hurts me more than it hurts you.” But now that I am a parent, I agree 100% with this statement. I would rather never have to discipline my children, but I do it – not because it’s pleasurable but because it’s profitable. I do it because I LOVE my children and because they ARE my children.

So this “brief word on grace” isn’t meant to take away anything from the absolute amazing nature of God’s grace which He lavished on us in Christ. Rather, it’s meant to provide a balanced, Biblical view of the active nature of grace as it relates to personal growth in godliness.