Grace and Faith

by Bill Gothard

http://billgothard.com/bill/teaching/grace/

Two years ago I wrote a paper on the topic of grace. The questions that it raised confirmed to me that grace cannot be explained apart from faith. The two are linked together in Scripture, and the one activates the other. Both are gifts of God. God’s grace gives us the desire and power to do His will. Related to this is God’s mercy, which withholds the just punishment when we fail to act upon grace. The following points summarize and expand what I have been teaching in the Basic Seminar for more than 40 years.

Grace is the desire and the power that God gives us to do His will.

Grace is free and unmerited.

There is nothing we can do to earn or merit the grace of God. It is the free gift of God to us, apart from any works or effort that we can achieve. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Grace is given to every person.

Everyone in the world is given sufficient grace to respond to the light of conscience and of the Gospel. This point is emphasized in Titus 2:11–12. “The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”

Grace is interrelated with faith.

It is not possible to define grace without at the same time referring to faith because the two are so intricately entwined, as stated in Ephesians 2:8–9. “For by grace are ye saved through faith.” (See also I Timothy 1:13–14, Romans 5:2). Both grace and faith are gifts of God.

Grace is expressed in action.

Both grace and faith are expressed in God-directed action. Paul emphasized this in II Corinthians 8:1–2, when he explained how the grace of God that was bestowed on the churches in Macedonia resulted in their generosity. Then he challenged the Corinthians,“God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (II Corinthians 9:8).

Grace is given progressively.

We have access to all of God’s grace; however, it is given to us as we have need of it and as we have responded to previous grace. Therefore, Peter urged the believers to “grow in grace” (II Peter 3:18) and prayed that grace would be multiplied unto them (see II Peter 1:2). Paul was assured that God’s grace was sufficient for the trials that he was enduring(see II Corinthians 12:9). As we respond to the grace God gives us, He gives more grace. Therefore, different believers will have different measures of grace.

Grace can be resisted.

Since grace is given to every person, but not every person is acting upon it to carry out the will of God, it is obvious that we can resist the work of God’s grace in us. Scripture warns of this possibility in Hebrews 12:15. “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.”

Grace is given to the humble.

One of the strongest ways to resist the grace of God is to have pride. Thus, Scripture states, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6). Peter also emphasized the importance of humility in order to receive God’s grace. “Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (I Peter 5:5).

Grace requires good stewardship.

Peter stated that we are to be “good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (see I Peter 4:10). Grace is singular in this passage; however, there are different applications of grace. For every need, there is grace. “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound”(Romans 5:20). Different applications of grace would also include various spiritual gifts that are given to each believer. “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us…” (Romans 12:6).

Grace is the power to overcome trials.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:1–5).

Grace Can Be Abused

Since grace is given to overcome sin, some might wrongly conclude that by sinning more, we receive more grace. Such a conclusion is condemned by Paul. “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1–2).

There are also those who view grace as freedom to do what they want rather than power to do what they ought. This view turns God’s grace into a license to sin and is condemned in Scripture.

A further abuse of grace is dividing it into two parts. One for salvation, and the other for Christian living. There is no such division in Scripture. One Bible scholar noted, “It is a great irony that the people who cultivate a two-stage Christianity do so in the name of grace but in effect nullify grace. They say there is a faith stage necessary for getting to heaven, and then an obedient stage not necessary for getting to heaven (but perhaps for getting better rewards there)… Underlying this mistake is a misunderstanding of grace. Grace is not simply leniency when we have sinned. Grace is the enabling gift of God to overcome sin. Grace is power, not just pardon” (Pleasures of God, John Piper, p. 244+).

Stability in Sorrow

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. (Psa 52:8)

One of our greatest sorrows is the disappointment and pain of betrayal, especially from least expected people. These experiences cut deepest in our hearts, the true test of our carnality is not merely with regard to the things of the world but more so in relationship issues that result in resentment (1 Cor 3:3). Retaliation takes place if we are not rooted and grounded in love (Eph 3:17) where our Christian abundant life can be shallow and ebb away (Matt 13:6) in the face of relationship challenges. The carnality that exists in churches result in the heart wrenching break-up and division because of strong opinions, pride and self preservation among other relationship issues between brethren. Ministry is no longer viewed as the Lord’s but for man, hence it is man that gets hurt. There is a void of goodness and pleasantness of brethren dwelling in oneness (Psa 133:1). But how do we keep the unity in the bond of love when faced with betrayal?

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. (Psa 37:23-24)

Olive trees are robust in nature and able to withstand drought, disease and even fire. The secret is in the roots which are able to regenerate even if the above ground portion is destroyed. Some olive trees have been known to abide for centuries. The Christian’s strong root is the trust or reckless confidence beyond human eyes and understanding for it is the strength in the spirit of a man (Prov 18:14) ‘rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith’ (Col 2:7). Trusting in God’s mercy is an eternal experience not just for the now; this brings a revelation ‘for surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off’ (Prov 23:18)

The green of the olive tree speaks of Christian maturity that is a flourishing life ‘that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper’ (Psa 1:3). Even in the sorrow of betrayal there can bursting forth of praise and realization of God’s goodness (Psa 52:9) because there is utmost confidence as sons and daughters of God to return love for hatred, blessing for cursing, good for evil with the ability to pray for the other’s good.

Being rooted in Christ requires an uprooting of carnality and replaced with Godly spiritual roots. Then we will experience the joy of His salvation knowing that He was betrayed for us and forgiveness and love flowed freely and lovingly from the cross. The church, with this character of Christ we can freely and loving say ‘Father, forgive them…’ (Luke 23:34) in the midst of brutal betrayal.

Am I A Well Spring of Life?

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God….. (Psa 46:4)

From a single river many streams stem and the end result in far reaching blessing of joy with plenteous supply (Psa 36:8). It is joy unto strength (Neh 8:10), fruitfulness (Psa 1:3) and life (Psa 16:11). What a glorious privilege for the sons and daughters of God to be channels of His blessings. The blessings of God is not meant to be kept but ‘he that watereth shall be watered also himself’ (Prov 11:25). Our spiritual patriarch, Abraham’s call was to be blessed, whose name to be made great by God and to be a blessing that transcend family, borders, nations and even time (Gen 12:2). To bless others is indeed a calling, have you thought about it? It is the bearing the fragrance of the Gospel of Christ which is beyond the advantages of most. Our poured out life is the message of hope and God’s saving grace from eternal doom. With this perspective I am contended to be a meek and humble channel of life, where it is no longer a concern if the conduit gets the glory and honor but the Source Himself does.

……but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14)

What or rather Who is the source of our drinking? That which is of the mind will reach the mind and what is of the flesh can only reach the flesh. But what is of the Spirit is eternal (John 3:6). How much heritage of the mind and flesh can be passed down? Have we been so focus on the material without factoring in its depreciating value? Or have we become shallow in our Christian outlook (Matt 13:22).

……. I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. (1Cor 1:12)

Even our best convictions need to be laid down; all that flows in the vein of blessing cannot be derived from human conclusion, preaching, teaching and ideals (Heb 8:10, 16). How much of our convictions are from the mind of Christ alone (1 Cor 2:16)? All crutches and dependencies of human pass down must even be reduced and submitted to One. Others serve as an example and never the source in themselves (Phil 3:17).

To be a life-line of God’s blessing of life we have to die to everything else in order to fully abide in the Word of Life Himself (John 15:5). The life of the faith of the Son of God, even our faith has to be from Christ; not self concocted but by faith we receive His faith (Phil 3:9, Heb 11:6), thus ‘…..a man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven’ (John 3:27).

Let us drink from only One Source…. Christ our all in all. ‘For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen’ (Rom 11:36).

Basis for Loving Our Enemy


….. and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Mat 5:45)


Our human response to one who offended us is usually based on fair and unfair, which means retaliation based on our human judgment and emotions… on how wrongly we have been treated. Our judgment is also one way; it applies to the other and not to me but nary a thought that we may not live up to our own judgment (Matt 7:2).


God looks at the issue of just and unjust, not on fair and unfair. The latter is to get what one deserves, go strictly to the rule without any deviation. Justice is guided by truth, meaning that what is due must be awarded as long as someone pays for it. We know that Christ paid the price on our behalf for our offenses however this truth is often clouded by human emotions; hence the issue of fair and unfair inevitably steps in.


How can I love my enemy? Firstly I have to ask myself if I know that I am justified. Faith and been made just are closely aligned (Rom 1:7, Gal 3:11 and Heb 10:38) which means that I cannot claim to be a follower of Christ if I consider the one who offended me a hated enemy because for the same reason Christ love and died for me (Rom 5:10). What offense can be greater than being rejected and murdered by your own (John 1:11)?


This truth is nothing profound if we do not let our emotions get in the way of God’s love. The reward is too great to refuse, ‘That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven…’ Matt 5:45).