What is the Modern Grace Message?by Paul Ellis |
This month marks the eight anniversary of the release of my book The Hyper-Grace Gospel. To celebrate the occasion, here is an extract. Enjoy!
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A man once asked me a question: “I want to show my friends that the gospel of grace is not the latest fad. Can you direct me to some early church teachings on grace?”
I replied, “How about the New Testament? Much of what I know about grace comes straight from the life of Jesus and the teachings of the apostles.”
Those opposed to the gospel of grace often dismiss it as the modern grace message. They say it is a passing fad.
It is anything but.
A modern grace message?
What is the modern grace message? It is the ancient and eternal gospel of grace (Rev. 14:6). The only thing modern about it is we are rediscovering what was lost. After wandering in the wilderness of works, we are returning to our New Testament roots.
The hypergrace gospel is no new revelation but an old revelation that has been buried under manmade traditions, religious rituals, and unholy packaging.
Hypergrace preachers aren’t preaching a new and modern grace message, but an old and timeless one.
Is hypergrace Biblical? You better believe it.
In The Hyper-Grace Gospel, I quote from more than 40 hypergrace preachers all preaching essentially the same gospel. It’s the same message from different messengers, which is a sign to make you wonder.
How is it that Evangelicals and Charismatics, Catholic priests and Anglican vicars, rock stars and soldiers, theologians and poets, are all preaching the same message of grace? The reason is we have unearthed the same Treasure.
How is it that pilgrims, all starting from different locations and traveling different paths, have ended up at the same place? We all followed the same star that led us to Jesus. Our baggage may be different, and some of us have more than others, but we have all arrived at the same Destination.
It doesn’t matter where you start. What matters is where you finish.
If you’re digging through religious rubble, keep digging. And if you’re walking through a wilderness of works, keep walking. Don’t stop until you find that Treasure and arrive at that Destination called Jesus.
He is your final port of call. Jesus is your resting place.
Exposing the dangers of hypergrace
The hypergrace gospel is no new message; it is a 2,000-year-old revelation. If you have met Jesus then you have heard the hypergrace gospel.
So what is the danger? What is the error or problem?
The problem is you may have heard some other stuff as well – additional material that was never part of the original message.
If you’re a believer, you don’t need to hear the hypergrace gospel as much as you need to un-hear all the extra stuff that obscures the good news of God’s superabundant grace.
Don't confuse the dirt with the gold.
The grace of God is like nothing on earth. Anything we add to the grace of God only detracts from its sublime perfections.
Extracted and adapted from The Hyper-Grace Gospel.
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If you are looking for something to read with your family this weekend, I recommend my article "Good Friday Timeline" or this Jesus Script.
Happy Easter!
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