Looking out with somewhat saddened eyes at evangelicalism today. Humbled by my own lack of understanding, and grieved by what looks to be decreasing, not increasing, humble discussion and interaction over the Word of God.

I’m also currently reading a book which contrasts what I’ll call mixed-grace vs. grace-based churches. Have an interesting chart, which perhaps I’ll get to post later.

But thinking on this leads me to reflect on Christian growth and what it means to be protected and matured in Christ. And what leads us to grow. What are the ‘means’ by which we grow?

A mixed-grace approach follows some of the Puritans, where God’s grace has to be appropriated by the correct disciplines.  In fact, such an approach often equates the means of grace with man’s effort in spiritual disciplines, though such effort might be empowered somehow by God. Growth comes, for example, through the sweat and tears of extensive prayer and Bible study. The bottom line is that the emphasis of such a church is on man: effort of man in prayer and the effort of man in studying and meditating on the word. Without that effort, maturity will not come.  Methodism’s categories of piety and service seem to fit this model.

The grace-based church seems different. The focus is not on the extent of a person’s effort, but on the provision of God. The primary means of grace are the ones specifically identified in the Bible, and the focus is on God’s gift. Depending on whether you are from a Reformed or Lutheran background, generally these are identified as Word/Gospel and Ordinance/Sacrament. The Word is received (preached), as are the ordinances (partaken of). Notably, there isn’t a heavy emphasis on the effort of taking communion or the depth of study in the Word, as if one’s length of effort releases more of God’s grace. Rather the emphasis is on God who gives.

See the difference? Means of grace involving the preaching of the Word (something you receive) and the ordinances (something you receive) carry a different (dare we say liberating) flavor than equating growth with how much time you are spending in self-effort (i.e. timed Bible study and prayer).

Receive from God. You’ll mature!

And… you’ll want to read more about Jesus and pray more with Jesus, too!