GRACE-DRIVEN CHURCHES GLORIFY GOD BEST

Churches are often known for what drives them.  In other words, what they see themselves as existing to be and do.  And churches can be driven by all kinds of things.  Many are driven by tradition and their tradition in particular.  Others are driven by their resistance to change of any kind, having as their motto: "We’ve never done it this way before.”  Some churches are finance-driven and the only thing the membership wants to know before making a decision is "How much will it cost and can we afford it?"  Many churches  are numbers-driven, having as their bottom line--a bigger budget, a bigger building, and a growing membership roll.  Others still, are known for and driven by a certain theological perspective such as being reformed or non-reformed, charismatic or non-charismatic, seeker-driven or non seeker driven, liberal or conservative, contemporary/blended worship or traditional, etc.  And finally, there are churches which are driven by their programs, activities, ministries, personality, social causes, political progressiveness,  and a plethora of other possibilities.  

Personally, I think that churches should strive to be grace-driven and here are some reasons why.  First, grace-driven churches are driven by God’s saving grace to preach and live the gospel.  Second, they are driven by God’s sanctifying grace to speak words of grace to one another as well as to deal with each other in grace, correcting one another in grace, accepting one another as Jesus accepted them freely, unconditionally, and over and over again in and because of grace.  Third, they are driven by God's extravagant grace, in saving sinners, to take serious risks, expend great energy, significant resources, and exhaustive creativity in communicating and demonstrating the Gospel of grace to unbelievers both nearby and far away.  

God is grace-driven.  His plan of salvation, His desire to redeem, and His move to crush His own Son (Is. 53:10) so as to save us were all grace-driven acts.  But, while grace-driven, these acts were not simply carried out to make much of us and our need.  No, God’s grace-driveness is not about making much of us, which is often what many   of our churchs' "pet" projects, distinctions, preferences, and disagreements are driven by.  God's grace-drivenness is not an end in and of itself just as we are not an end in and of ourselves.  To think that would be to terribly misunderstand and pervert God's grace, which is a means to a much greater end.  That end is God’s glory. God is grace-driven because God is passionate about His own glory.  He justifies for His glory.  He forgives for His glory.  He redeems for His glory.  He saves for His glory and He keeps us saved for His glory.  God’s grace-driveness is first, foremost, and fundamentally about and for His glory.  

And this ultimately is for our good.  You see, wheres, God's grace saves and sanctifies us--God's glory satisfies us.  God's grace is the means by which we are able to see, enjoy, revel in, and forever be amazed by the glory of God.  This is what Jesus wants for us.  That's why He asked His Father that we who have been given to Him by the Father be with Him so that we may see His glory and be forever satisfied (John 17:24).  

Grace is the means to glory.  Therefore, if our churches really desire to glorify God by enjoying and being amazed by God, we absolutely must be, first and foremost, grace-driven!