Being Discovered

GRACE – it is a concept, a name, a word that we enjoy knowing.  It is a word that not only represents a subject but a description of that subject.

GRACE is a key word when it comes to the Christian faith but the question is do we really understand what it is and what it means?

For some of us, we feel unworthy of the Grace of God and others at times use Grace as an escape by which we can live however we choose.

We must take note, however, that we understand that there is ONE GRACE that is given from God but how we explain that Grace throughout scripture is very important.  We find different ways it is applied at different times in our lives and how it draws us closer to the Lord, transforming us into the likeness of Christ.

Today I want to write about the concept of PREVENIENT GRACE.  This is grace that hooks us and draws us in even when we are struggling to get away.  But what does that mean?  What does that look like?  What is the picture we have to understand this part of God’s Grace?

Point One:

            DEFINING PREVENIENT GRACE

First, look at it from the perspective of a famous Actor or Musician – They were “discovered.”  Put that idea into play in your head and apply it to when you had that “A-HA” moment with Jesus!

Lets put a dictionary style set of words to this second because I want you to understand the concept in order that as we look at the scriptures it will become more clear how this part of Grace is presented:

The Divine Grace that proceeds, that goes before our human decisions.  It is the Grace that exists prior to anything humanity has done and it is always calling to everyone.

See, humanity is corrupted because of sin, but Prevenient Grace goes before and allows people to use the FREE WILL God created within us to choose the salvation offered by God in Jesus Christ or to choose to walk away from it.

Now, the foundation for this Prevenient Grace is laid out wonderfully by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians.

Ephesians 2:1-10

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once
walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of
the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of
disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our
flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by
nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being
rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even
when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with
Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and
seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in
the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in
kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved
through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God
prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Look at the description we see here – we will break this down a bit:

We were dead in our sins

We were following the world

We were gratifying our sinful nature

We were objects of wrath

BUT – because of the love God had for us we are made alive and by GRACE are saved

Prevenient Grace is God putting into action his initiative to pursue us, to desire a relationship with us – urging us to turn to Him that we might be saved.  God, through His Prevenient Grace is acting like a form of a Catalyst…Picture it like this: Fiddler on the Roof – Matchmaker – He is the “Cosmic Yenta.”

God, through His Prevenient Grace is providing us an opportunity for a match “made in heaven.”  The contrast, this catalyst is seen in verses 3 and 4:

Verse 3 presents us with the discovery of humanity following its sinful nature – our indulgence in the evil desires and thoughts.  But the catalyst provided – the contrast we see in verse 4 – the indication that a change has taken place:  We are disobedient BUT because of God’s love for us we can be made alive in Christ and die to our sin.

That BUT GOD shows us that catalyst that God is – that it is He who initiates our desire to know Him and be saved – it shows the Prevenient Grace:

            BUT GOD:

We were dead – BUT GOD…

                        We were in bondage – BUT GOD…

                        We were lost – BUT GOD…

                        We were self-destructing – BUT GOD…

NEVER have we ever been so excited to read or hear a phrase or thought and actually have it followed up with BUT…!!!!!

In the midst of chaos and destruction, in the midst of deserving nothing but death – instead of pouring out wrath – God opens His arms and draws us to Him!  This is defining the part of Grace that proceeds us, but then how does that translate into our actions?

Point Two:

            WHAT CAN BE vs. WHAT IS

Prevenient Grace is developed within us so that we may come to understand the saving grace that will follow.  This allows us to not only see ourselves as lost, but shows us what our life could be WITH CHRIST!  This is that whole concept of BEING DISCOVERED!

Prevenient Grace is a process of preparation – we are being prepared for more.  It is making us ready and opening us up to be receptive to the salvation that is being described in verse 6 and following:

Ephesians 2:6-7

“and raised us up with him and
seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in
the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in
kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

Through God’s Prevenient Grace we are drawn to Him and we are drawn to Him because of the greatest emotion we encounter – LOVE!

One of the best parts about this translating into action is that we have NOTHING to do with it!  That’s right, we don’t control this or mold it or turn it on and off.  This is the faith aspect that comes from believing:

Ephesians 2:8-10

“For by grace you have been saved
through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God
prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

In the defining concept of Prevenient Grace, God himself takes the initiative toward us.  We don’t have to beg on our knees for this love and Grace.  GOD IS SEEKING US OUT!

This is a necessary part of the Grace of God.  Our salvation experience depends upon it.  Without the Prevenient existing, how would we be able to know or experience the salvation process?  It exists to open our eyes to what our life could be rather than what it is!  However, don’t misunderstand here – it does not blind us to reality – we know we are lost and disobedient – we know our lives were a mess – we can recognize that.

But instead of it reminding us who we already are, which we know, Prevenient Grace shows us what we can be through the love of Jesus Christ!

So what ultimate difference does this Prevenient Grace of God make in our lives?

The difference is the understanding it provides through a promise with the name of God behind it…  There is absolutely NOTHING that has the power to cease, stop, diminish or cause a questioning of God’s love for you.  No actions, thoughts, words, etc can stop it!

That love has already brought many of us into that saving relationship with God and for those who have already found that – a continued sanctification in that relationship.

See, it wasn’t by chance that you were brought to church on Sunday morning or any other morning or any other place for that matter.  God has you right where He wants you and He is actively pursuing you no matter what point you are at in your relationship with Him.

If you don’t know this love – I want to share it with you.  If you do but you are struggling to understand – I want to help you.  Seek out the One who is earnestly seeking after you!

You are not meant to escape this – you were meant to BE DISCOVERED!