Why Do People Have a Problem With Grace?

Grace is God's unmerited favor to sinners who do not deserve it. Sounds like good news to those who are lost yet it is so offensive. Why? The answer varies between people. Most Christians do not have a problem with grace yet some do. Lost people may not have a problem with grace depending on the circumstance.

Why do people have a problem with grace if it is the gift of God not based on works? Why do some Christians want to hear what they can do for God instead of resting in his grace? When I say do for God, I mean do to earn his love and his forgiveness. Here are my opinions on why people have a problem with grace:

1. People are not in control of their salvation. People want to make their own destiny so they think their salvation is in their hands which, clearly, it is not.

2. People have a problem with grace because they do not take God at His Word. The Bible says we are saved by grace not works yet people have a hard time because we work hard for that promotion or get the house the way we want it. Taking God at His Word means that we can rest in his grace without worrying about our future meaning our eternity is secured.

3. People want satisfaction. Mick Jagger is the one who sings "I get no satisfaction" and for a lot of people that is true. Christians are not satisfied with grace because it is out of their hands. That is why you hear sermons on doing more and being moral superior than others. They want the feeling of being saved. Salvation was never backed by feelings although sometimes it can come across that way, but we when we walk with Jesus sometimes their is no feeling. That is where faith comes in.

4. People, especially Christians, want to make sure God still loves them. The Bible says nothing can separate us from the love of God, but that is not enough. I remember one lady in church praying that she will try to keep Jesus in her heart. I have heard from a pastor that some people in his congregation think God loves them in the evening and damns them in the morning. Christian, God will always love you even when he disciplines you because those who go through God's discipline are true sons (Hebrews 12:4-11). Lost person God loves you and extends His hand of free grace that you will never worry about losing once you have received it.

Recommended Reading:

The Prodigal God by Tim Keller

Prepared by Grace, for Grace: The Puritans on God's Way of Leading Sinners to Christ

Salvation by Grace: The Case for Effectual Calling and Regeneration by Matthew Barrett

What's So Great About The Doctrines of Grace by Richard D. Phillips

Grace: God's Unmerited Favor by Charles Spurgeon

All of Grace by Charles Spurgeon