Extreme Grace and Radical Discipleship

A camel and the eye of a needle. With God the impossible
becomes possible!

Scripture:

Luke 18:26   Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” ²⁷ He replied, “What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.”

Observation:

David Neale tells us, “these two realities—extreme grace and radical discipleship—converge in the life of holiness” (NBBC). That’s what Jesus is talking about here when he comments to the disciples on the rich man. What God desires is radical discipleship and this is from everyone. It doesn’t matter whether you’re rich or poor, young or old, we are being called to a life of discipleship that will cost us everything. 

At the same time, we are not saved by our discipleship, or actions. Those who heard Jesus speak of the difficulty of a wealthy man being saved, wondered then, how it could be possible. The reality is that we have to recognize the extreme grace that is extended to us, so that we can live a life of discipleship. It is only in the power of the Holy Spirit that this is made possible. Neale continues, “if only extreme grace is present, then it is an empty faith devoid of action. If only extreme discipleship is present, the dangers of hypocritical formalism arise. Jesus, it would seem, saw these two realities as part of one whole life before God” (NBBC).

What we begin to see unfolding is that God makes the impossible, possible. Extreme grace and radical discipleship come together at an intersection that becomes the beautiful descriptor of the holy life. 

Application:

Throughout this journey in Luke I’ve been struck by the fact that Jesus is focused upon mentoring his inner circle. The  lessons are for them, and how they will change the way in which they live as a result. While we may not all have wealth, the story of this wealthy man has an impact on us all. The temptation to believe that our good works will win us grace is always present. 

Our holiness theology is revealed in the intersection between grace and discipleship. We aren’t supposed to be looking for a kind of balance, but a synergy, where our faith is enlivened by our actions and our actions are “driven by a profound sense of gratitude” (Neale). Jesus was showing the disciples what a spirit-filled life would look like, one in which the impossible became possible. This life “cannot be attained by human effort, but neither can it arise in the absence of human effort” (Neale). We live in the intersection of grace and discipleship, a synergistic balance “of human action and divine empowerment” (Neale). 

Every day, as we seek the face of God, we are to desire this synergistic balance. This is how we live in the world and yet, we are not of this world. Every one of us, no matter how skilled or capable, should walk humbly before God in recognition that it is grace that saves us. At the same time, it is that gratitude that drives us to partner with Jesus in his mission in the world. 

If we cannot find the synergy between the two, then something is missing in our lives. We may be leaning toward one extreme or the other. It is in the space of grace that we are empowered to a life of discipleship. This life is then lived out in glory to God. 

Prayer:

Lord, help me today, to live in the sweet spot of grace and discipleship. Amen.