At the release of Little Faith, Big God my good friend Lisa interviewed me. In one question she asked me my biggest take-away from writing Little Faith, Big God.
“I can sum that up in one word,” I said. “Grace. Since Little Faith, Big God is based on Hebrews 11—the faith chapter—I thought this book would be all about faith. And while it’s certainly a book on faith, I gained a renewed appreciation for God’s grace. I realized biblical faith is a response to God’s grace.”
Biblical faith is a response to God’s grace. @DebbieWWilson#Grace #RechargeWednesday Click To TweetAs believers we know we are saved by grace through faith, “and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephes. 2:8-9 NIV). Yet, there’ve been times when I slipped into accepting myself based on my performance. When I disappointed myself, I felt sure God was put out with me too. That is why the backstories of those God commended in Hebrews 11 arrested my attention. Their fumbles didn’t put God off; they showcased His grace.
Examples of Grace
Jacob is one who caused me to scratch my head. He deceived his father and cheated his brother. Because of this, he had to flee from his twin’s anger.
On his first night on the run, God appeared to him in a dream from the top of stairway that spanned the distance between heaven and earth. Did the Lord chastise Jacob for his deceit? No, He conferred the blessing and promise of Abraham to Jacob (Gen. 28:10-15).
- The whole world would be blessed through Jacob’s descendants.
- The Promised Land would belong to Jacob’s descendants.
- The Lord would keep Jacob wherever he went.
What astonishing timing? What amazing grace!
God chose Jacob before he was born to inherit the blessing. Jacob did nothing to earn it. And his bad behavior couldn’t nullify God’s grace—though it did complicate his life.
Faith and Grace
Abraham, a man esteemed by Jews, Christians, and Muslims, also fumbled in his walk. He lied calling his wife Sarah his sister to save his own hide. These actions landed Sarah in a pagan ruler’s harem. Twice.
God swooped in and rescued her (them). In one case, He spoke to the unbelieving king in a dream; in another He sent an uncomfortable disease to the king and his court. But there is no record of God chiding Abraham for these lapses. The pagan rulers reproached him when they kicked him out of their countries. But God reminded Abraham of his calling and told him to look at the land He would give him and his descendants.
And do I need to mention Samson or Isaac, or any others? These who were commended for their faith all highlight a gracious God. These men and women were ordinary people—like you and me. But they were people of faith. Their faith shown through their successes—as well as their stumbles.
These men and women were ordinary people—like you and me. But they were people of faith. Their faith shown through their successes as well as their stumbles. @DebbieWWilson #Faith, #BigGod Click To Tweet“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again” (Pro. 24:16 NIV).
Grace to Ignite Our Faith
What about you and me? How does this apply to our blunders?
The night Jesus was betrayed He told Peter He’d prayed for Peter’s faith not to fail. Why not pray Peter himself would not fail? James 3:2 says we all stumble in many ways. It’s what we do after a stumble that sets people of faith apart.
Believers fall like other people. But they won’t fall away. True faith responds to God’s grace and gets up again. Faith is the believer’s response to grace.
Believers fall like other people. But they won’t fall away. True faith responds to God’s grace and gets up again. #Faith is the believer’s response to #grace. Click To Tweet“When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.” (Ps. 37:24 NASB).
Viewing faith as a response to grace motivates me to exercise my faith when I stumble. How do these people encourage your faith?
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LINKUP party is open. This week, my friend @DebbieWWilson invites us to look into faith failures through the perspective of God's unfailing grace. Join us? Click To Tweet
This is so helpful. So often when we fail, we feel we’ve ruined everything an God will have no more patience with us. We know better–God’s Word is full of His grace towards His people. We need to fight those feelings and delusions with truth.
Barbara, I think Paul felt that too. That may have prompted him to write Romans 8:1, “Now therefore there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus!” Hallelujah!
This made me remember the blessing of your Hebrews study all over again. Amen! Faith is a response to God’s Grace! I’m praising Him with you for His grace!
Thank you, Bethany! I loved writing that book and spending time with those biblical characters. They truly point to a Big God.
Being defined by grace is a wonderful distinction for the people of God! May we give it as often as we receive it.
Amen, Lisa! And to your point, we can’t give what we refuse to receive.
It’s all about His grace, isn’t it! It seems, like Peter, most of us have to fail in our own self-sufficiency before we fully understand and appreciate God’s amazing grace! Congratulations on the book, Debbie!
Donna, it sure seems that way. Thanks so much.
Great examples to draw from.
Thanks, Lauren!
Debbie, I had never really thought about Jacob in quite this way before but your sentence brought it home to me: “And his bad behavior couldn’t nullify God’s grace—though it did complicate his life.”
Once we become a child of God, even if our behavior is not where it should be, it doesn’t nullify grace. What an awesome thought!
And, of course, bad behavior complicates life. 😉
Jerralea, isn’t He wonderful!
Debbie, so sorry for the delay in reading and commenting. Love this article on your book. And particularly the connection you make between grace and faith. We often separate them. Even though we all fall, we never all away from grace!
Amen! What a wonderful hope. Thanks, Karen.