Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word,
John 8:31
then are ye my disciples indeed;
Christian, be encouraged and, no matter the struggle, continue in the faith!
Recently the Lord sent an amazing, grace-soaked, message to our church through a visiting minister who is also a friend of our congregation. Listen to Min. Kevon Johnson, a minister at All Nations COGOP, here.1
My precious Sister, my dear Brother:
- Fight the good fight! because Jesus loves you and He is soon to come.
How will Christians continue in the faith?
Through grace.
Multi-faceted, diverse, thirst quenching, goodness-of-God-delivering waterfall of GRACE.
Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
Acts 13:43
The Means of Grace – Media Gratia, Latin
This definition and those following are based on Dr. Wayne Grudem’s excellent Systematic Theology, second edition, Desiring God speaker and author, David Mathis’s conference message and Ligonier Ministry’s Table Talk magazine article.
Means of grace are God-ordained channels which operate, often through the Church, that is to say, the Body of Christ.
They foster Christians’ ongoing growth and ability to continue in the faith and in their knowing and enjoying God in Jesus Christ.
Grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning.
Dallas Willard
In other words, to receive the benefit of grace, we must participate in or with the means God graciously provides.
Jeremy Treat, writing for The Gospel Coalition gives additional clarity:
Christians therefore, should work hard, strive, and toil—but we do so not for grace but from grace.
Because of the gospel we are motivated not by guilt but by gratitude. Philippians 2:12-13 describes this type of grace-driven effort: “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (emphasis added)”
Means of grace are integral to spiritual formation, that is Christ in us, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).
Means of grace help us to:
- know God and to enjoy Him,
- remain in the faith,
- resist temptation,
- grow in wisdom,
- avoid deception, and
- live in alignment with His will.
Protestants tend to not believe that any of the means of grace confer salvation as Catholics teach.
For example, Catholics teach that the act of baptism, alone and in and of itself, provides salvation.
Protestants do not believe this.
However, we believe that means of grace are essential aspects of the lives of those who are being saved.
Sermons and essays and doctoral theses and books and much more have or could be written on any one of the means.
However, we will survey the means of grace listed, one per post starting with scripture as the chief means of grace.
I’m Excited!
Blessings, Kimberly
1. Scripture
The Word of God, the scriptures, are the chief, or, the most important, foundational, primary and indispensable means of grace.
Dr. Wayne Grudem
“Even before we become Christians, the Word of God as preached and taught brings God’s grace. It is the instrument God uses to impart spiritual life and salvation.”
- Hebrews 4:12 NIV For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
- 1 Timothy3:15-16 NIV And how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
- Romans 10:17 NIV Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
- 1 Peter 1:23 NIV For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
2. Prayer
Prayer brings spiritual renewal, boldness, and power.
- Acts 4:24–31 – Unified prayer brought Holy Spirit filling and fearless preaching.
3. Fellowship
Vital for encouragement, love, and perseverance in the faith.
- Hebrews 10:24–25 – Stir one another up… encourage one another.
4. Baptism
A public identification with Christ’s death and resurrection.
- Romans 6:4–5 – Walk in newness of life.
- Titus 3:5 – The washing of regeneration and renewal.
5. The Lord’s Supper
A sacred fellowship with Christ and His people.
- 1 Cor. 10:16; 11:25–29 – We proclaim His death.
- While the scholarship on this phrase is mixed there is a clear emphasis on the fellowship between believers amongst themselves, their fellowship with Christ and with examining oneself.
6. Worship
God reveals His glory and gives instruction in worship among other benefits we get to be in His presence where there is “fullness of joy and pleasures forever more.”
- 2 Chronicles 5:13–14 – God’s glory filled the temple.
- Acts 13:2 – The Holy Spirit gave direction as the people worshiped.
7. Church Discipline
Restores purity to the Bride of Christ, produces repentance & renewed relationship among believers while preserving the witness of the Church in the world.
- See Matthew 18; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 7
8. Giving
Cheerful, faith-filled giving brings grace and blessing and provides for the work of the Church.
- 2 Corinthians 8:4–5; 9:7–8 – God loves a cheerful giver.
9. Spiritual Gifts
Properly used, they build up the body into Christlike maturity.
- Ephesians 4:11–16 – Gifts equip, unify, and grow the Church.
10. Evangelism
Both the lost and the laborers are blessed.
- Acts 9:17 – Ananias ministers and also experiences the Spirit’s power.
11. Personal Ministry to Individuals
One or more Christians minister to the needs of others:
- Colossians 3:16 – Teach and admonish one another in wise Christ – living
- Ephesians 4:29 – Use helpful, kind words to build up one another
- 1 John 3:17 – Help your needy brother as you are able
- James 5:14-15 – Pray for the sick
- Among other ministries eg prison, to the elderly, orphans and to doubters.
- Despite major audio challenges that Sunday, if you start listening at 42:50, you are sure to be blessed by the message. ↩︎
Embrace grace!!
Help! Love, MOM 
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