Prior Grace

(by Josh Saenz)

“Grace fails legalism, but fuels righteousness.” – John Lunde

The Pharisee in us all can, at times, become so obsessed with righteousness and good works that we fail to recognize that the only way to truly live righteous lives is by God’s empowering grace.  This comes first. This is Prior Grace.

Prior Grace is the notion that grace from God precedes (and later leads to) a demand for obedience*.  This is evident in the New and Old Testament, as well as in our lives today.

Consider the dawn of Creation. In the Garden of Eden, there was provision, position in the created order, companions, and communion with God.  These things preceded the command to fill the earth and subdue it (Genesis 1:28). In the wilderness during the Exodus, God rescued the Hebrew nation out of Egypt.  This preceded the Law (Exodus 20).  On the cross, there is forgiveness and grace. This grace precedes good works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

All that we can do is receive this grace.  Did Adam achieve grace because he exercised good dominion over plants and animals? No, it had nothing to do with the work of his hands. Likewise, the Hebrews didn’t merit salvation from the slavery bonds of Egypt because they were in a covenantal relationship with Yahweh and following the Law.  So then, do you think I deserve grace because I am a “good Christian”? Of course not. A grace built on merit is no grace at all.

So why is Prior Grace such a difficult concept for us to grasp?  I think because it goes against our very nature as human beings and the culture in which we live.  Our world tells us that we are to do, do, do, do, do! The very culture we live in defines who we are by what we do.  It is so much more difficult, at least for me, to sit back, knowing that there is absolutely nothing that I can do to achieve grace–all I can do is receive it.

I pray that you may learn the beauty of God’s grace and the reality of our own powerlessness.  Our feeble hands must emerge from the dust and ashes to receive the free gift of grace from God. And what a joy it is to truly understand that we play no part in earning the Grace-gift.  Only then can we truly live righteous lives–empowered by God’s good grace.