This final episode challenges believers to evaluate their reliance on the grace of God. While many give lip service to depending on God's grace, the absence of prayer and regular reading of Scripture strongly suggest many are, in large part, self-reliant Christians. Many moreover have a simplistic view of grace mostly about the forgiveness of sins and less about the power of God to live holy before Him. Forgiven, but not victorious, self-reliant Christians indicate a shallow understanding of grace that doesn't grasp the dire need for empowering grace. When believers adopt a veritable "grace not needed" posture, God often intervenes with trials and tribulations designed to foster renewed dependence and faith in God. Mature Christians really believe, as the psalmist says, that they have no good besides God (Psalm 16:2), and dependence on that grace is not optional.
Graciously Grant Me Your Law
This episode emphasizes the necessity of God's grace for sanctification and the keeping of God's law. The law is an excellent mirror, revealing the disconnect between ourselves and a holy God. It is nevertheless powerless to transform us and sanctify us, since we are fundamentally sinful apart from God's grace. Paul highlights this fact in Romans 8:3, "what the law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did.." The law reveals our weakness and our desperate need for Christ. It is the "tutor that leads us to Christ." (Gal. 3:24) Christians commonly acknowledge dependence on the grace of God in conversion and infancy in Christ, but trip up later when they revert to relying on their flesh, apart from grace. This was my experience, and I testify how God overthrew my smug self-reliance and gave me a sense of my utter dependence on His power. This gracious power transforms us, helping us keep the law. "I will run the way of your commandments, for you will enlarge my heart." (Psalm 119:32)