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PSD 4: Grace orientation
GRACE ORIENTATION: PSD #4
4. Grace Orientation
A. Definition: Grace orientation is the knowledge and application of both saving grace and post-salvation grace, the provision of which is contained in the principles, promises, doctrines and techniques, that give the believer the capacity to avoid legalism as it relates to both salvation and post-salvation experience.
B. Documentation: (Ephesians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Hebrews 4:16; James 4:6; 2 Peter 3:18)
Saving grace:
- Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. (KJV)
Post-salvation grace:
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 - And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (KJV)
- Hebrews 4:16 - Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (KJV)
- James 4:6 - But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (KJV)
- 2 Peter 3:18 - But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen. (KJV)
C. Problem solved: Grace orientation solves the problem of two different kinds of legalism imposed upon four different categories human relationships--unbelievers, babes-in-Christ, adolescents-in-Christ and reversionistic believers at any stage of growth.
1. Salvation legalism: This is a brand of legalism that demands human effort to be saved, that is, salvation by works.
2. Post-salvation legalism: This is a brand of legalism that demands human effort as the means to spirituality, e.g., spirituality by works, disregarding yieldedness to God the Holy Spirit yieldedness constitutes absolute spirituality.
D. How does grace orientation solve the problem of legalism imposed upon human relationships?
1. Grace-orientation toward the unbeliever for salvation:
Grace-orientation recognizes that God the Son, at Calvary, so sufficiently paid the penalty for mankind's sins that human effort to provide one's own salvation is totally excluded from the plan of God.
2. Grace-orientation toward the babe-in-Christ:
Grace-orientation recognizes that God the Father has provided yieldedness to God the Holy Spirit as both the mechanics [ the "how to" achieve ] and the environment of spirituality after salvation.
3. Grace-orientation toward the adolescent-in-Christ:
Same as #2
4. Grace-orientation toward reversionistic believers at any stage of growth:
Same as #2