Grace is the unmerited, undeserved, unearned kindness and favor of God.
That exploration must begin with the first of those three keywords. We need an understanding that grace is unmerited.
If you were in Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts when you were younger, you recall the never-ending quest for merit badges. And no doubt you also recall the feeling of pride and accomplishment that came from qualifying for that Camping, Signaling, Dog Care, or Astronomy merit badge. Today those vintage merit badges with the colorful embroidered symbols are highly collectible. And of course, some clever entrepreneurs have built businesses out of selling nostalgic adults fake, comical, authentic-looking merit badges in specialties such as Snoring, Computer Viruses, Text Messaging, Whining, Boat Sinking, and Duct Tape.
The whole merit-badge system was built upon every human being’s innate desire to achieve and our hunger to be recognized for having done so. It’s not a bad thing to want to master new skills and be recognized for all the hard work and accomplishment. As we’ll see a little later on in this journey, even with spiritual things, there is a place for going after rewards. But this can never be the case with salvation, or with any other grace-gift God wants to bestow upon us in His kindness and generosity. Remember, if it’s truly a gift, there are only two things you can do with it: receive it or reject it. Which brings us again to Ephesians 2:8– 9. Here it is again broken down by its phrases, for clarity:
• For by grace you have been saved
• through faith,
• and that not of yourselves;
• it is the gift of God,
• not of works,
• lest anyone should boast.
Remember, if you can do it yourself, or can contribute to it in any way, you’re boasting (bragging) when you talk about it. But here the Word of God plainly tells us that no one can rightly boast about being saved. Why? Because salvation is a grace-gift. In other words . . . there’s no rowing involved! If you row— whether it’s with one oar or two— in order to contribute to your salvation, you’ve merited it in some way, and you therefore have some room to boast.
Please understand me here. There will be no boasting in heaven. Sure, there is plenty of boasting on earth right now. Boasting over accomplishments small and great, noble and stupid. But there will be none in heaven. Of the billions of souls you’ll encounter there, not one will be heard saying, “I’m so glad I kept rowing. Yay, me! Sure, I got weary at times but I didn’t quit! I kept adding my effort and striving to God’s grace. And that’s why I’m here. I had some friends who didn’t keep rowing and you’ll notice they’re not here. But I’m here because I rowed hard and rowed well.” No, nothing like that will enter your mind there. Here’s what you and every other blood-washed adopted son and daughter of God will do upon entering the glories of eternity. You’ll point to the nail marks in Jesus’ hands. You’ll point to the horrific scars on His back. And you’ll say, “You see those. That’s why I’m here! He’s why I’m here. It was all Him!” There will be no salvation merit badge in heaven. Why? Because salvation is by grace and is therefore unmerited.
Grace, Period.
by Robert Morris
Bestselling author and megachurch pastor Robert Morris unpacks the full meaning and significance of the grace of God, revealing for Christians a freedom from shame, guilt, and striving that few believers have begun to grasp.
In life, we often look for fulfillment in our performance. We try to earn our way to happiness by achieving goals and meeting obligations. We try everything we can to earn favor with God. But what we find instead is disappointment, fear, and weariness.
In Grace, Period., Pastor Robert Morris shows that we don’t need to live this way. What we truly want has already been given to us—we simply need to receive it!
Looking in-depth at the life and teachings of Jesus, Pastor Morris reveals the beauty and perfection of God’s amazing grace. He uncovers its sheer abundance, lavishness, and extravagance, and explains what happens in our day-to-day lives when we fully accept it. Exploring the blessings we have now—access to God’s love, favor, and approval—Pastor Morris teaches us how to find rest, gratitude, fruitfulness, confidence, joy, and the list goes on.
In other words, Grace, Period. is a clear and compelling roadmap for arriving at an end to striving and shame. It’s a guide for finding and enjoying the abundant life God sent Jesus to purchase for us. A life given to us by grace—only grace.
A Study Guide is also available for purchase.
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Meet The Author: Robert Morris
Robert Morris is the senior pastor of Gateway Church, a multicampus church based in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Since it began in 2000, the church has grown to more than 100,000 active attendees. His television program airs in over 190 countries, and his radio program, Worship & the Word with Pastor Robert, airs in more than 6,800 cities. He serves as chancellor of The King’s University and is the bestselling author of numerous books, including The Blessed Life, Frequency, Beyond Blessed, and Take the Day Off. Robert and his wife, Debbie, have been married forty-four years and are blessed with one married daughter, two married sons, and nine grandchildren.
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